Afghan Biographies

Khpalwak, Negina Mrs.


Name Khpalwak, Negina Mrs.
Ethnic backgr. Pashtun
Date of birth 1998
Function/Grade First female orchestra conductor in Afghanistan
History and Biodata

2. Previous Functions:
First female orchestra conductor in Afghanistan "Zohra Orchestra" (20170118)

3. Biodata:
Mrs. Negina Khpalwak was born 1998 and hails from Kunar Province where from her family moved to Kabul. Her parents, she said, stood against her entire family to allow her to attend music lessons. “My grandmother told my dad: ‘If you let Negina leave to music school, you won’t be my son anymore.’“ Negina said, recalling what her uncle promised her: “Wherever I see you, I’ll kill you. You are a shame for us.” Negina’s goal is to win a scholarship “to study outside of the country, and study, and study.” Then, she says, she will return to her country and and become the conductor of the National Orchestra.

Zohra, an ensemble of 35 young musicians aged 13 to 20, some orphans or from poor families, will be performing before 3,000 CEOs and heads of state during a session World Economic Forum in Davos.The ensemble is led by Khpalwak (20170118)

Dr. Ahmad Sarmast is the musicologist who founded Afghanistan’s National Institute of Music (Anim) and the Zohra orchestra.

Last Modified 2017-01-18
Established 2017-01-18