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🐧 pianist | fortepianist
📍Toronto
Next up: @wfiuofficial Harmonia (Mar 12, 8pm ET)
🎓@uoftmusic @iujsom @msm.nyc @boyercollege
John 3:16
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I was invited to a three-week music residency at the Banff Centre in January 2026.
What a magic, huh?

I cannot put into words the contradiction of the situation I was in during the residency.
My people in Iran were struggling for their lives, fighting against their own government, while I had no news from my family. Meanwhile, I was offered a magnificent office with a breathtaking view to work on my music.

During the days, I sat in my studio, listening to music and wiping away my tears I sang with each note.
 I decided to visit the Whyte Museum. I couldn’t stop looking into those eyes. That look was familiar to me.
I had seen that helpless, confused, yet still strong look in each of my beautiful people in Iran.
I am thousands of miles away.
I sang a cappella. 
In Banff center. 
Among beautiful musicians who I couldn't belive my eyes performing one day for them.
I felt even in the loneliest moments of our lives, we can survive💫
#indigenous #
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15 days. 6 concerts. More loneliness and joy than I ever expected. 

Just like that, the November portion of my @egre_competition winner’s tour wrapped up in a blink of an eye. Through this AND the three concerts in October, I am just so grateful for every person who hosted, listened, advised, and fed me (seriously, slide 6 😋). Swipe for some honest takeaways ➡️

PC to @egre_competition @sheilavandikas and kind strangers everywhere
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Unhinged and alive, eachly and everyonely, to some Nth degree: this banff musicians in residence cohort gave and received so effortlessly and with such stupefying capacity that I find my deep roots of faith in humanity, in solidarity, beauty, shenaniganry and collective freedom nourished and vivified. It is an unbelievable privilege to be able to pursue freely one's gifts and to feel those gifts are in service to others. This is the kind of freedom we all deserve, and practices which help reveal this capacity are all worthwhile. Thank you @banffcentre for continuing to provide a place for this hopeful and collective work and play. We need these spaces more than ever. 

Unparalleled gratitude, love and devotion to this cohort:
@sam.woy @kalaisan13 @justinwrightmusic @hillary.m4a @theresathor @c.r.salnikov @robynckj @rachellemmaa @oliver.ledi.hanane @ooldouzpouri @chunyinrainbowchan @martysska @kyle_simpson_composer @salad0706 @matt.schultheis @laurenjconroy @lauraroymusic @cjbrnmusic @johnnytomasiello @wearetouching @thirdcoastpercussion @jlin_p @bbrendan.w @rebekkahomburg_ton etc 

#banffmusic #banffmusiciansinresidence #bmir2026

( first slide photo credit: @reverie_online )
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