A Day of Iranian Music at UCLA | May 31, 2026
On May 31, 2026, the Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music at UCLA, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, and Farhang Foundation welcomed audiences for A Day of Iranian Music, a vibrant celebration of Iran’s rich musical and cultural traditions under the direction of Dr. Shahab Paranj. The day featured an inspiring lineup of performances, workshops, lectures, and conversations with leading artists, scholars, composers and musicians. Highlights included Gordafarid’s captivating Persian epic storytelling performance, Pejman Hadadi’s engaging Rhythm Beyond Tombak workshop, and Dr. Paranj’s thought-provoking presentation, Sound or Silence: Iranian Musicians and the Dilemma of Performances. Attendees also enjoyed lectures and discussions by Mohammad Moridvand, Payman Yousefi, Mehrdad Gholami, Reza Vali, Kaveh Mirhoseini, Azadeh Vatanpour, Sirvan Manhoobi, and Kajvan Ziaoddini, offering diverse perspectives on Iranian music, history, performance, and scholarship. The event concluded with a memorable concert featuring Ensemble Iran and UCLA student ensembles in Schoenberg Hall, bringing together artists, students, and community members for an unforgettable celebration of Iranian musical heritage. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this extraordinary day of learning, performance, and cultural exchange.
All photography by Hadi Sharekian
