Instruments
I play three instruments: Santoor, Riq, and Guitar. Santoor is an Iranian hammer dulcimer instrument. I started playing the Santoor at the age of 9 under the supervision of Mr. Masoud Gharibzadeh. In addition to playing Iranian Radif, I have played Turkish and Arabic Music on Santoor.
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I started playing the Riq under Issa Boulos’s guidance. Issa is the director of the University of Chicago Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. He has been an extremely important influence in my musical development.
Since November 2008, I have been taking Classical Guitar classes with Stephen Boswell. Stephen is an excellent classical guitarist and a lecturer of music at the Capilano University, North Vancouver.
Ensembles
With the help of several UBC students and community members, I have established the UBC Persian Music Ensemble. Our first concert was on Febuaray 8, 2009.
I am a member of Nawa Ensemble (formerly Radio Maqam). In this ensemble we perform original compositions by Issa Boulos. One of the highlights of our group was playing with the Chicago Symphoney Orchestra in September 2006.
I was a member of the University of Chicago Middle Eastern Music ensemble for four years. I participated in numerous concerts with this ensemble. One of the highlights was playing with Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and Alim Qasimov.
