The Ayoub Sisters

Crossover duo the Ayoub Sisters brought classical performance into the 21st century, utilizing loop station technology that allowed them to swap instruments while playing live. Sarah and Laura Ayoub were born three years apart to Egyptian immigrant parents and raised in Milngavie, a commuter town just outside Glasgow, Scotland. They grew up with classical music, regularly attending performances of the RSNO with their parents. Sarah trained in cello and piano at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Laura in violin and piano at the Royal College of Music in London, where Sarah moved after graduating. In 2014, they came first in the nationwide music competition The Big Music Project, winning a chance to perform at the Royal Albert Hall for Classic FM. In 2016, pop producer Mark Ronson found their unique cover of his “Uptown Funk” on YouTube and picked them to perform at the BRIT Awards. On the back of this, and their triumphant Royal Albert Hall performance, they were signed by Decca. Their eponymous debut album was recorded at Abbey Road with the Royal Philharmonic and released in September 2017; it debuted at number one on the U.K. classical chart. An eclectic affair, it consisted of a few classical favorites alongside traditional melodies from Scotland and the Middle East, and classicized versions of pop songs, including “Uptown Funk,” which was produced by Ronson. The sisters promoted the album with a tour supporting choirmaster Gareth Malone. ~ John D. Buchanan