Today we’d like to introduce you to Alireza Khodayari.
Alireza, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Of course! I would be happy to tell you about my story. My musical odyssey traces back to my early childhood, where the seeds of passion were sown amidst the photographs adorning our family gallery. It was around the age of 9 or 10 that I found my calling in the Tar, an enchanting Iranian instrument. Guided by my father’s encouragement, I embarked on a journey to learn the Tar, facing the challenge of physical limitations due to my tender age caused to start the music journey with a smaller instrument, Setar. However, fueled by an independent spirit and an insatiable thirst for music, I immersed myself in the world of Tar players. As I grew older, my love for music grew with me, becoming an essential part of my identity. In high school, I experienced a significant turning point when I formed the “Nava Ensemble” and began composing music. My first concert which was directed and composed by me, titled “The Visit,” was highly acclaimed and marked a significant achievement in my career. These early successes gave me a strong sense of purpose and motivated me to pursue a future in music.
Getting accepted to the Tehran University of Art provided a fertile ground for my musical growth, offering me the opportunity to refine my craft under the guidance of esteemed mentors. Six semesters of rigorous study in Iranian music performance deepened my understanding of our rich musical heritage, while the exploration of composition ignited a new creative flame within me. Alongside my musical pursuits, I delved into theoretical studies, enriching my compositions with analytical depth and precision.
Despite the trials posed by the Covid pandemic, I embarked on the ambitious endeavor of composing my first album (which is in the process of recording), seeking to intertwine Iranian music materials with a polyphonic and harmonic language which led the audience to different sides and potential of Iranian microtonal music.
In December of 2022, a pivotal moment arose when I auditioned for Berklee College of Music. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my musical journey. Despite facing various challenges, I was accepted with a full scholarship, which represents a significant milestone in my journey. This vital opportunity has encouraged me to be more confident in delving into deeper aspects of my goals and to be courageous enough to experience various moments on my musical journey. All of these experiences have taught me and guided me on my path.
Today, I am recognized as a Composer and Tar player. Guided by an independent spirit and an unwavering passion for musical exploration, I continue to push the boundaries of creative expression, eager to carve my niche in the global music landscape. After eight months since my journey began in Boston, my works have been performed and acclaimed by prestigious ensembles such as Qantara, Mivos String Quartet, Sound Icon Ensemble, Berklee Project Band, and other musicians in Boston and other states like New Hampshire. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of sharing insights through lectures on Iranian microtonal music several times at Berklee College of Music. I feel optimistic about the future, delighted that I’ve been on the right track and steadfastly pursuing my goals up to now!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To be honest, it hasn’t been a smooth road! As a musician, I’ve dedicated countless hours to practicing, learning, and honing my craft. Despite the misconception that music is less demanding than other professions, I can attest that it requires immense effort. I vividly remember practicing my instrument late into the night as a teenager, often until 3-4 am, and independently preparing for university auditions due to financial constraints. Teaching myself solfege, ear training, composition, and music theory was challenging, but I persisted, driven by my passion for music. Recording Iranian music, particularly contemporary pieces, presented additional challenges due to inflation and a lack of sponsors. To fund studio sessions, I participated in music festivals and earned prizes. These experiences underscore the dedication and perseverance required to succeed in the music industry.
Imagine living in a country with a rich cultural heritage, particularly in music, but facing challenges due to economic issues, government control, and limited access to global platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify. Despite the country’s unique musical language, showcasing talents and making connections with the wider music world can be difficult. Additionally, government support for occupations excludes the arts due to religious beliefs, making it hard to earn a living as an artist.
In December 2022, amidst the Women, Life, Freedom revolution in my country, pursuing my musical passion became even more challenging. The emotional weight of the revolution instilled deep empathy and solidarity within me, but it also hindered my ability to engage in musical activities. Compounded by the government’s shutdown of the internet during the protests, auditioning online for Berklee College of Music became impossible. Determined to overcome these obstacles, I had to travel to another country for an in-person audition.
I remember, my last concert, the “Conversation Project,” was canceled due to the government’s closure of the cultural venue. However, after two months of making efforts with a disappointing feeling, we found a small alternative venue to hold the concert, overcoming yet another obstacle in my musical journey.
There were and still are some general hardships on our way as artists especially musicians back home; it is hard to imagine that it has Been more than 40 years, and even if you pass all the steps to have a concert on stage, you are still not allowed to have your music sung by a solo female singer back home, which is, of course, against human rights and is another musical boundaries and hardships besides other different difficulties on our way. What I learned from facing challenges and overcoming boundaries is that there is always a way to positively change the situation. To achieve this, you must not be passive and be aware of the fact that you are not alone; you have no one except yourself to rely on. You have yourself to overcome the obstacles, and that’s enough for an entire journey!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My specialization lies in composition, particularly in contemporary, Iranian, and microtonal music. I am also skilled in performance, with a focus on the Tar and microtonal improvisation. My work encompasses various styles, primarily focusing on Iranian contemporary music and contemporary classical music. I personally identify as a contemporary artist who constantly explores new musical colors, textures, and sounds, essentially crafting a new musical language. My earlier compositions are rooted in the Iranian contemporary music style, featuring traditional Iranian acoustic instrumentation such as the Tar, Oud, Kamancheh, Nay, and Iranian percussion instruments and so on.
More recently, my compositions have evolved into contemporary-classical and post-modern styles. I am planning to incorporate acoustic classical instrumentation with electro-acoustic elements in the future, pushing the boundaries of traditional compositions.
What I’m proudest of is my dedication to music, which is fueled by my independence. Despite facing many rejections and challenges, I’ve never stopped striving for excellence. I’m always driven by a strong desire to learn and grow.
Throughout my journey, I’ve relied on myself without formal guidance from teachers or musician parents. This independence has been tough but rewarding, shaping me into the artist I am today. I’m proud to have overcome obstacles and paved my own way in the music world by myself!
We’d love to hear what you think about risk taking.
Throughout my life, I’ve consistently embraced risk-taking. Initially, this was evident in my decision to pursue music as my life’s passion, diverging from my previous studies in mathematics in Iran. This transition marked the beginning of a new journey, one that resonated with me more profoundly than my prior pursuits. In the realm of music, I firmly consider myself a risk-taker. I approach the exploration of diverse musical styles without hesitation. I hold the belief that for musicians, particularly composers, venturing beyond established boundaries is a pivotal aspect of artistic growth. While it requires courage, I steadfastly advocate breaking free from one’s musical comfort zone to foster creativity. Essentially, it is crucial to avoid complacency and embrace new musical territories. Sticking to familiar boundaries can stifle creativity, and I always take risks to overcome this matter. Consequently, I approach my musical endeavors with a dedication to exploration and innovation, unafraid to challenge the limits of my craft.
There have also been times when I’ve taken risks in my work as a performer and composer. As a performer, sometimes you need to take risks on stage to create musical moments in the moment. And as a composer, I try to take risks by exploring ideas that may be considered taboo in the music industry in order to discover new sounds and musical possibilities
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alirezakhodayariii
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alirezakhodayariii
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alirezakhodayariii
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/xQN7ct2m5JeiTPDv8
Image Credits
Soha Mahrou
Timothy Mah
Ali Nili
