Oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros is now Dr Joseph Tawadros, having received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from UNSW in a graduation ceremony held on 2 December, hosted by Dr David Gonski, Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales.

It was, Tawadros tells Limelight, “a huge honour”.

“It’s a very humbling sort of thing. You know, you’re in a room with a lot of intelligent people who have worked very hard at what they do. But it’s good to be acknowledged, good to be recognised for contributing something.”

Joseph Tawadros at the University of New South Wales. Photo supplied

A composer and eight-time ARIA Award-winner, the Cairo-born Tawadros has taken the oud to concert stages worldwide. Among the instrument’s leading exponents, he is renowned for his brilliant technique, openness to diverse styles of music, profound musicianship and joyous performance style. He performs as a soloist with his jazz quartet, in duo with his brother James on Egyptian percussion, and with chamber and symphony orchestras all over the world.

During his acceptance speech, Tawadros dispensed some hard-won wisdom to the graduates assembled.