A life in Iranian music, shaped by study, performance, and teaching

I began studying Iranian classical music on the setar in 1996. The setar has remained my principal instrument, while the tar has also formed part of my practice. My work has centred on the radif, improvisation, phrasing, teaching, and ensemble performance.

In 2000, I began studying the Iranian radif and classical repertoire with Massoud Shaari. This period continued for approximately ten years and included many performances with the Hamsaz Ensemble in Tehran and other Iranian cities.

In 2005, following Mohammad-Reza Lotfi's return to Iran and the opening of his classes at the Mirza Abdollah School, I joined his specialised class. Over approximately six years, I studied the complete radif and the classical Iranian repertoire with him.

I also attended shorter periods of study with Hossein Alizadeh, Dariush Talai, Keyvan Saket, and Behdad Babaii. Around 2006–2007, I studied with Dariush Pirniakan for two to three months. Later, during my university studies, I continued working with him for about two years and studied several dastgahs from Ali-Akbar Shahnazi's advanced radif.

In 2019, I began the M.A. programme in Iranian Music Performance at the University of Art. During this period, I benefited particularly from the teaching of Mohammad-Ali Kiani-Nejad, as well as Houman Asadi, Babak Khazraii, Sasan Fatemi, Reza Parvizzadeh, and other members of the faculty.

My performance experience also includes many concerts with the Mahtab Ensemble, including appearances at the Fajr Music Festival, as well as performing on the setar with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.

I founded the Saba Setar Ensemble, which performed concerts in Tehran and several other Iranian cities. Dar Baharan was one outcome of the ensemble’s work. I have taught for more than twenty years and founded and directed Sarang Music School in Tehran for approximately five years. In addition to teaching, I organised classes and workshops and hosted courses led by invited teachers.