'Universal language': This Calgarian from Syria is using music to bridge communities

Aya Mhana arrived in Calgary about 3½ years ago from war-torn Syria. Today, she's just about to launch a four-track album of music she hopes will connect those two worlds.

Mhana chatted with The Homestretch about that journey.

This interview has been edited and paraphrased for clarity and length. You can listen to the complete interview here.

Q: Why did you leave Syria?

A: My husband refused to join the army, so we had to find another place to live together. We applied and got accepted in 20 days.

Q: What has it been like for you, since you got here 3½ years ago?

A: It's been a challenge, lots of change and I miss my homeland, but I am blessed to be in this country.

Q: Was music a big part of your life in Syria?

A: Yes, I was playing music, composing songs and performing. My musical journey started after the war. I was playing instruments but I wasn't singing.

I composed a song for moms who lost their kids because of the war. I used that song as a pain reliever for their sadness and for them.

Q: What made you decide to do an album?

A: Music is the universal language. I thought it's the best way to speak up, to prove we are good people. We have good things to show and we have good things to share.

My friend Bill Hanlon pushed me to make the album and its release is tied to a fundraiser for some families in need.

Q: What kind of music is on the album?

A: It includes four songs. The main one is Homeland. It's about being able to help and represent our country even though we are not there.

Wherever you have left, your heart belongs. No matter who you have lost, you still have your heart.

These words mean to me that I am able to love again, regardless of the things that are lost.

Q: Talk about how this song came to be.

A: It was a group effort. We are building bridges between different cultures. I was lucky to meet all these people from different countries, Russia, Iran and Canada. We are a multicultural band.

Q: How have you transitioned to living in Calgary?

A: I was able to build a new community and to network with my music. It helped me a lot to try and be Aya again, because trying to plant roots in a new place is really challenging.

Without using lyrics or speaking, people understood my feelings, and that was an important thing for me.

Q: Do you still have family in Syria?

A: I always think about them. I hope one day to be able to invite them to live with me, to see my baby growing up.

That's something really important for her.