Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Pirayandeh
Hi Tara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Tara Pirayandeh. I’m a musician, singer and composer from Isfahan,Iran. I was born into a family deeply passionate about the arts. From an early age, my parents’ love for music influenced me so much . My father used to play the Tar, and my mother, she had experience in both the Tombak(Iranian percussion) and Tar(traditional Iranian string) and she is also a Persian calligrapher. Art and music it has always been a part of my family.
I began my musical exploration when I was 3 years old with the xylophone, and soon after, I took up the flute. By the age of 7, I discovered my first professional instrument which was the Tombak, an Iranian percussion instrument.
Also, my performances on stage started early, when I was 7.
I had the chance of studying under the guidance of one of the greatest masters of the tombak, Bahman Rajabi, which really shaped my foundational skills at a very young age.
When I was 9, I transitioned to playing the Tar,my favorite! A move deeply inspired by legendary artists such as Jalil Shahnaz and Mohammadreza Lotfi. My studies with distinguished mentors like Hossein Alizadeh and other celebrated musicians—Bahman Rajabi, Shahram Miljalali, Ali Jahandar, Aliasghar Shahzaidi, and Amir Eslami—have been instrumental in honing my craft.
I have performed at numerous festivals and concerts both in Iran and internationally. My journey has taken me from local stages in Iran to international festivals, where I have had the honor of performing and sharing the richness of Persian music with diverse audiences. I’m so glad that I had the chance to share my music with the world.
Academically, I accelerated my education. I graduated from high school at 13 because I skipped three years of middle school and entered high school after my elementary school immediately. I later earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science when I was 17.
My passion for music led me to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I am currently pursuing degrees in Film Scoring and Electronic Music Production and Design.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s never easy, and staying updated and striving for the conditions you desire is crucial. You should always keep yourself updated and try to reach the conditions you want. In my country, being a musician—especially a female musician—brings many challenges.
For female singers, performing on stage is illegal, I was unable to freely express myself as I dreamt. I could never go on a stage and sing freely in my country, there were many challenges ahead of me, I was there as instrumentalist but never as a singer.
Despite these obstacles, I always try to keep my perspective wide and know more about music, beyond my country’s boundaries. I’ve always believed that music is a universal language that can unite people. I knew that music is the only language that can bring people closer to each other! My passion led me to seek out musicians from diverse genres and collaborate on different instruments. I was trying with my heart to get what I believed was my rightful place in the world of music.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a composer and arranger specializing in microtonal music .My Unique musical identity is rooted in a profound dedication to Persian classical music which distinguishes my work. I am exploring traditional and authentic music in innovative ways, I am collaborating with international musicians to bring your perspective to these classic forms. My artistic approach is deeply connected to my cultural heritage, encompassing music, art and literature from Iran.
This connection is central to my creative process and it brings me lots of joy. I love to play different musical styles and sharing my unique musical voice with a broad spectrum of genres and traditions.
I am particularly fascinated by the opportunity to play diverse pieces from various countries and musical genres on the Tar. Are usually play Persian classical, Turkish, Arabic, Brazilian choro, Pop and jazz!
this versatility allows me to break through traditional boundaries and explore the limitless possibilities of music.
I’m also passionate about singing in priority of styles and languages including Persian classical, Kurdish, Arabic Maqams and western pop.
In these past two years, I am so fascinated about electronic music and I have experience of composing in electronic music, particularly in the realm of minimal techno,
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Faith!
” From one moment to the next, miracles will happen, you just need to focus on what you want and believe in yourself! ”
this is a saying my father has always shared with me since I was a child.
This sentence is etched in my mind, even when things don’t go my way. I believe that a miracle will occur, because I’ve witnessed it happen many times before.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara.pirayandeh/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwflwufR-03weZgt6Uh_fPQ
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tara-pirayandeh
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tara-pirayandeh/1623675747
