Hailed for performances of “sublime passion and commanding power,” Egyptian pianist Lamis Shams brings intensity, depth, and luminous artistry to the concert stage. Born in Cairo, she began her musical journey at the age of ten at the Cairo Opera House under the mentorship of Dr. Mahmoud Mokheimer and later graduated with highest honors from the Cairo Conservatoire.

Since then, she has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer in major halls across Africa, Europe and the United States, captivating audiences with her emotional immediacy and refined virtuosity. She regularly appears as a soloist with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.

A laureate of multiple national and international competitions, including the Supreme Council of Culture Competition and the Chopin International Competition in Egypt, Shams became the first woman to receive the prestigious Robert Turnbull Piano Foundation Scholarship in 2020. The distinction brought her to Chicago, where she earned her Master of Music degree from Roosevelt University before continuing her advanced studies at the Manhattan School of Music.

Deeply committed to cultural dialogue through music, Shams is dedicated to championing Egyptian composers on international stages. Her work includes world and U.S. premieres of Egyptian repertoire, as well as performances representing Egypt in prominent festivals andconcert series throughout New York and beyond.

Shams is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rutgers University, where she also serves as a Teaching Assistant in piano and collaborative piano. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she has worked with students ranging in age from 4 to 67, fostering musical growth, confidence, and independence while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for music.