Voices and personal journeys come together to celebrate the UAE’s spirit of unity and belonging.
Dubai: For many residents in the UAE, stories of opportunity, safety, and belonging are deeply personal. One Dubai-based choir is now bringing those experiences to life through music.
Dubai Camerata Singers has released “Shukran, UAE: A Tribute of Gratitude,” a non-commercial video centred around a choral performance of I Believe. The tribute reflects the real-life journeys of its multicultural members and is dedicated to the UAE, which many describe as their home away from home.
Founded in 2017, the choir has brought together residents from different nationalities and professions, making the project as much about shared experiences and belonging as it is about music.
Stories behind the song
Rather than focusing only on performance, the tribute is rooted in the lived experiences of its members — from building careers and supporting families to finding friendship, stability, and a sense of community in a new country.
For Rhovi Nasis, a customer service supervisor, the experience was deeply sentimental.
“Every note became a quiet thank you for the chances we were given, for the dignity of work, and for the dreams we are able to build for our loved ones back home.”
For Diana Collado, a teacher, the experience was transformative.
“Being part of Dubai Camerata Singers has given me a sense of belonging within a diverse and passionate musical community. It reflects the welcoming spirit of the UAE itself.”
For Sly Carbonell, a senior financial auditor, the song carried a powerful message of hope.
“Singing this tribute deepened my empathy and reminded me that compassion can rise above differences. It gave me hope for unity and peace.”
Reflecting unity through music
For Arne Lubasan, musical director and choirmaster of Dubai Camerata Singers, the piece was created to reflect the harmony found in everyday life across the UAE.
“The musical direction was inspired by a deep sense of gratitude and unity. During a time when much of the world feels uncertain, we wanted to reflect the feeling of safety, stability, and coexistence that we experience here in the UAE,” Lubasan explained.
He added that, much like the Emirates itself, the choir reflects unity through diversity.
“A choir represents many voices coming together as one, just like the diverse communities that call the UAE home. Our goal was to create something sincere and inclusive — a musical ‘thank you’ that anyone could feel connected to.”
Lubasan also shared that the choice of I Believe was intentional, as its themes of faith, unity, and hope closely mirror the experiences of residents, expatriates, locals, and visitors alike.
A community-led tribute
The initiative was conceptualised by Fermel Fuentes, creative director and choir manager of Dubai Camerata Singers, who described the project as a collective expression of gratitude.
“This tribute is our humble way of giving back and saying thank you to the leaders of this country and to the UAE that has welcomed us, supported us, and allowed us to grow,” Fuentes said.
Bringing the project together did not come without challenges. Coordinating rehearsals, recording individual parts, and organising filming required perseverance, faith, and teamwork. Despite the demands, the choir remained committed to completing the tribute.
“The UAE is our home. That sense of belonging deeply inspired us. This video was built around gratitude for safety, opportunity, and the chance to live and share our voices in this beautiful nation.”
Keeping it real
Behind the scenes, the team placed strong emphasis on authenticity. For Reg Gentica, audio editor and mixer, the goal was to preserve the choir’s natural sound.
“My approach was to keep the sound clean, balanced, and emotionally honest. I avoided over-processing because sincerity of performance was the priority,” Gentica said.
Similarly, for Ian Angeles, videographer, photographer, and editor, the visual approach focused on capturing the genuine emotional connection many residents feel with the country.
“The concept came from appreciation. I wanted the visuals to express how the UAE feels to many of us, not just how it looks,” Angeles said.
From screen to stage
The video tribute will be followed by an intimate live community performance titled “Shukran, UAE: A Concert of Gratitude.” The upcoming event is expected to showcase choral works from different cultures, continuing the message of unity, gratitude, and shared belonging.
The concert will serve as a continuation of the video tribute’s message, giving audiences a chance to experience unity, reflection, and gratitude through music in a live setting. Details about the date and venue are expected to be announced soon.
