Ava Parvinnejad

About Me

My journey with music began at the age of 10 with the Daf, a Persian frame drum. This instrument introduced me to the concept of rhythm. At the age of 12, I witnessed the mesmerizing sounds of the Tanbour for the first time at a concert performed by the Shams Ensemble under the direction of Maestro Pournazeri. I was immediately captivated by the instrument. After mastering the Daf, I decided to embark on learning my second instrument, the Tanbour, at the age of 16. Accompanied by my parents, I visited the Shams Tonbor House and met with Maestro Kaykhosro Pournazeri. Impressed by my dedication, he graciously accepted me as his student. I immersed myself in rigorous practice, never missing a single class, even during school and university exams. After four years of dedicated training, I had the privilege of joining the ensemble of Maestro's top students. Simultaneously, I commenced my journey into maqam-playing, a traditional Persian musical system. My five years of experience with the ensemble enriched my musical understanding immensely. In 1997, I received a formal teaching certificate from Maestro Pournazeri. Since then, I have been teaching at various music schools in Tehran and subsequently in Rasht. Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I have continued my teaching endeavors online.

Teaching Method

My teaching method is based on the teachings of Maestro Kaykhosro Pournazeri, incorporating both oral and written instruction. The repertoire includes pieces from albums such as "The Voice of Love", "Bewilderment", "The Moon-Faced Minstrel", and "The Legend of the Tanbour". In addition to musical instruction, I also emphasize the importance of reciting Persian poetry. A true musician must not only master the instrument but also comprehend the poetic meter and be able to recite and interpret poetry with fluency.

Experience

• Teaching experience at various music schools in Tehran and Rasht, including Parsia, Deldar, and Asgoon, since 2018 • Received a teaching certificate from Maestro Kaykhosro Pournazeri in 1997 • Participated in the ensemble of Maestro Pournazeri's top students at the Pournazeri Academy since 2015 • Studied maqam-playing on the Tanbour with Donia Kamali from 2015 to 2017 • Attended a Tanbour masterclass by Sohrab Pournazeri in 2015 • Performed with the bands Khate Sevom and Derang from 2007 to 2014 • Solo performances on Daf and Tanbour at school and university events from 2006 to 2018