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~Meet the Artists of the Silk Road Ensemble~
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Shahyar Daneshgar -
Vocal and Percussion
A native of Teheran, Shahyar grew up in music-loving
Azerbaijani family. He received his training in the
art of singing and drumming in family circles at an
early age. His musical training includes the Teheran
Conservatory of Music and the IU School of Music.
He has participated in numerous festivals and concerts
in Europe and North American cities since 1975. He
holds a doctoral degree in Central Eurasian Studies
with an emphasis on the cultures and languages of
the Central Eurasia and the Middle East. Currently,
he is a research associate at the Inner Asian and
Uralic National Resource Center and a factulty at the Department of
the Central Asian Studies at Indiana
University. He is one of the co-founders of Bloomington's
Lotus Educational and Arts Foundation). He was a member
of the Saba, Breeze of the East and currently he is
the director of the Silk Road Ensemble (Ipak Yolu
Ansambli) which has promoted the music and cultures
of the Central Eurasia and the Middle East since 1992.
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Svetla Vladeva
Born in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, Svetla began playing
piano-accordion at the age of eight. By the end of
high school, she had earned three first place finishes,
one second place and one third place in the International
Accordion Competition for her solo and duet performances.
She was the first person to receive the award for
best in musical achievement and excellence as the
top graduate of the six high schools in Kazanlak.
She began a self-learning program on the play of the
bayan (chromatic button accordion) at the start of
her university studies. She was the third accordion
player ever to learn and perform with the bayan in
Bulgaria. Svetla received a degree in Music Education
from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, Plovdiv,
Bulgaria, majoring in accordion and piano.
Svetla's passion for various musical genres has given
her the freedom to perform a wide range of musical
pieces with their variations to include original music
and transcriptions from other instruments. Her personal
repertoire includes Classical music pieces, Folk,
Jazz, Gypsy, Cajun, Zydeco, as well as contemporary
and popular dance. Her extraordinary virtuoso techniques
and pure musical talent have enabled her to perform
in previously uncharted areas in the music world through
the play of the bayan accordion.
In addition to performing, Svetla teaches button
and keyboard accordion, as well as piano and music
theory.
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Javad Esmaili
Javad Esmaili (Ney and Balaban) is a graduate of
Azerbaijan’s Baku State University Journalism
program. As a journalist, he worked for an extended
period for the Azerbaijan State Radio-TV company while
writing for various newspapers and magazines in the
Republic of Azerbaijan. He moved to the United States
in 2004 and for the last two years he has worked for
the South Azerbaijan TV station in Chicago as a TV
anchorman.
In addition to journalism, Javad has also played
the ney, one of the oldest instruments of the East,
for the last 30 years. For a long time, he played
ney as a soloist. Later on, he joined the Historical
Instruments Ensemble in Baku, the capital of the Republic
of Azerbaijan, as the ensemble’s ney player.
In addition, Javad has given several public concerts
and has performed several times on Azerbaijani national
television as a member of the Savalan Music Group.
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Melissa
Dittmann
Though Melissa Dittmann (violin and vocals) was born
and raised in Chicago, she seeks to explore the wider
world through her music and studies. Melissa has been
playing violin since the age of 12 and in that time
has studied Western classical style, Irish fiddling,
and Moroccan Andalusian music with fellow guest artist
Anass Sentissi. While studying abroad in India, she
took a 2-month intensive course in Karnatic (South
Indian classical style) violin with Keralan artist
Sriraj.
Now back in Bloomington, Melissa is studying erhu
(Chinese 2-stringed violin) with Dr. James Yang and
intends to add kamancha (Middle Eastern spike fiddle)
to her repertoire as well. Melissa’s international
interests in terms of music are an extension of her
interests in world languages and cultures: at IU,
she is learning Chinese and Tibetan and is in the
midst of pursuing an Individualized Major titled Promoting
Peace through Inter-Cultural Arts Programming &
Performance.
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Munis Sharifov - Kamancha
Munis Sharifov started his career in 1982 as the
first kamancha player in an instrumental ensemble
under the leadership of the famous Islam Rzayev. Since
then, he has been working in close cooperation with
the Azerbaijan State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company
and other private TV and Radio companies. From1986
until just recently, he was a soloist in the Azerbaijan
State Concerts Union. In 1985, he earned a diploma
from the 12th International Festival in Moscow. In
1990, he was invited to work as a teacher in the Azerbaijan
State Conservatoire (now Baku Musical Academy).
From 1993-1995, Sharifov worked in Iran in the Tehran
Music & Cultural Center and Music Institute as the
kamancha teacher and soloist. There, he produced two
solo albums. In 1997 he recorded one album in Baku.
In 1996, Sharifov helped to establish the Ancient
National Instruments Ensemble. At first, he worked
as the concertmaster and arranger. Now he is the head
of this ensemble. The instrument played in this ensemble
is called Chagan. With tireless effort, he has accomplished
distinguishable work in playing this instrument. He
reached the highest level of recital on this instrument.
He has striven to make this ancient instrument known
all over the world. He is the only one who performs
with this instrument in the world.
In 2000, Sharifov participated in Scotland's “String
Kaman Instruments International Symposium”. In 2002,
he took part in The International Scientific-Practical
Conference “A Heritage of Bolat Saribaev and Modern
Ethnooganology” in Alma-Ati, Kazakhstan.
In 2002, Sharifov was invited by UNESCO to give concerts
in Russia, Canada, Turkey, and France.
Sharifov has traveled with concert tours all over
the world: India (1989), Sri Lanka (1989), Germany
(1990), Turkey (1991, 2002), USA (1991), Iran (1993,
2004), Canada (1995, 2002, 2004), Russia (2002), France
(2002).
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Rahman
Assadollahi - Accordion
Rahman Assadollahi's name is identical to the garman
(accordion) among Azerbaijani's living throughout the
world. He is indeed considered to be the King of Accordion
Players – a title of which he is well-deserving. Maestro
Assadollahi's family's origins are in the famous Azerbaijani
city of Ardebil in Iran, the birth place of Sheik Safi-Aldin
Ardebili, the founder of the 13th century Sufi sect
in Iran. In the 16th century, it was the offspring of
the Sheik who founded the mighty Safavid Dynasty in
Iran and Caucasus and Caucasus and was frequented by
many European dignitaries of the time.
Maestro Assadollahi was born in Tehran in 1951. The
garman has been played for over 180 years in the Assadollahi
family. His uncle, grandfather and great grandfather
were the guardians of this instrument and were responsible
for making the garman the Azerbaijani instrument it
is today.
Since the age of 7, Maestro Assadollahi has been playing
the garman. From 1967-1980, Maestro Assadollahi collaborated
on the Azerbaijani Department of Tehran Radio and Television.
In 1982, due to the lack of an artistic and democratic
atmosphere, he left Iran for Germany and now resides
in Hamburg.
Since his arrival in Germany, he has given concerts
at Germany universities, cities, and festivals. Outside
Germany he has toured in Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands,
Denmark, Norway, Austria, France, Italy, Belgium and
other European countries, performing the lyrical, soulful,
exciting and passionate music of the Azerbaijani people.
In 1990, by invitation of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
he traveled to Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan,
and gave 25 concerts throughout the country within two
weeks. Rahman Muellim (maestro) has been garnered with
two of the highest honorary musical achievements: degrees
from the Azerbaijan State Music University and Conservatory
of Music of Azerbaijan. In 1995, he won the first prize
among 160 European accordion players on the Hohner All
European Accordion and Harmonica Championship.
Maestro Assadollahi feels his greatest achievement
is having the honor of introducing Azerbaijani music
to the world through the garman. He states that he owes
it to himself to showcase the music and culture of 35
million Azerbaijani's in Iran, 7 million in the Republic
of Azerbaijan and millions of Azerbaijani's who live
throughout the world.
Maestro Assadollahi is recognized by Azerbaijani music
connoisseurs and critics as one of the masters of improvisation.
In addition, he is a remarkable composer and is noted
for his lyrical interpretation of Azerbaijani romances
and dance tunes. Rahman Muellim has released three CDs
which represent his artwork in the area of performing
arts.
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Sultan Memet - Vocal
and Percussion
The famous Uyghur singer and composer Sultan Memet
was born in Ghulja, Xinjiang (China). He moved to
Uzbekistan in 1962 and settled in Tashkent. Since
1972 he and his Uyghur Ensemble have become famous
throughout Central Asia for their performances of
Uyghur folk music of every kind.
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Avner Shakov - Naqara
and Doira
Born in 1951 in Tashkent, capital city of Uzbekistan,
Avner Shakov belongs to the Bukharan Jewish community
of the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan, which
has given birth to great musicians in the region.
From 1970 to1975 he studied in the Drum Department
of the Tashkent Conservatory of Music .and worked
as a percussionist for a long time in the Uzbekistan
Radio and TV “Vostochniy” (“Orient”) Ensemble, accompanying
famous Central Asian masters of music such as Ilyas
Malayev and Mahabbat Shamayeva.
He immigrated to the States with his family several
years ago and is active in the musical scenes of the
New York-New Jersey regions. Presently he is the percussionist
of the Silk Road Ensemble.
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Zohrabov's - Caspian
Pearl Dance Company
World-renowned dancers, choreographers and instructors
are highly sought after artists of the dances of Azerbaijan.
Both Namus and Olga were principle dancers with the
State Dance Company of Azerbaijan over the past 30
years, and Namus was also a member of the State Dance
Company of Dagestan. They trained at the State Ballet
School of Azerbaijan, and Namus tutored there. Their
rich cultural heritage of dance combined with their
knowledge and expertise of Western dance forms brings
a powerful force to the stage and classroom. Their
careers have led them to bring their art to the United
States, and both were settled here by 1997. Audiences
throughout the world have praised their concerts,
and many students have benefited from their classes.
Visit
their Personal Web Site.
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Novruz Mamedov - vocal,
saz & percussion
Mr. Mamedov, a native of the city of Nakhchivan in
the Republic of Azerbaijan, comes from a musical family
whose father was a gaval (tambourine) player. Mr.
Mamedov began his musical career by singing at the
age of the twelve. He is a graduate of a vocational
music school and the college of music. In addition,
he holds a graduate degree from the Vocal Department
of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory of Music, 1979.
He was praised as the Laureate of the International
Music Festival of Moscow and Tallinn (Estonia’s capital)
in 1971 and 1974.
Novruz Mamedov has performed numerous times throughout
the former Soviet Republics and the East European
countries. He has a long list of extensive performances
in major North American concert halls.
Some of his performances include:
The 1994 appearance at the United Nations Organization;
World Music Institute in New York; Indiana University
1988, 1999 and 2003; and the 1999 Lotus Festival Indiana
University’s Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource
Center has funded Mr. Mamedov’s double CD titled:
Mamedov Family Ensemble of Azerbaijan in 2002. Novruz
Mamaedov plays a number of Instruments.
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Arif Bagirov, tar (spike-fiddle)
& guitar
Arif Bagirov was born in the Autonomous Republic
of Nakhchivan of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1961.
He completed the five year tar performance class at
the Nakhchivan Music School. In 1979, he graduated
from a four-year-course of study at the Azer Zeynalov
Music College. He worked as a soloist in the Azerbaijan
Concert Union and accompanied a number of great artists
of Azerbaijan such as Shovkat Alekberova and Tokezban
Ismayilova.
In 1981, he taught in Tashkent Music School Number
1 as a tar teacher. While teaching in Uzbekistan,
he accompanied two of the greatest musical legendaries
of the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan Ilyas
Malayev and Mahabbat Shamayeva. Several years ago,
he and his family moved to the States and since then
they have lived in the New York-New Jersey areas.
Presently, Mr. Bagirov is the tar soloist in the Silk
Road Ensemble.
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Imamyar Hasanov, kamancha
Imamyar Hasanov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1975.
He started playing the kamancha at the age of 7 and
eventually became the youngest soloist in Azerbaijan's
National Orchestra and National Dance Ensemble. He
has a Master's Degree in Art and Conducting National
Music from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. During
his conservatory studies, he worked with Professor
Agha Jabrayil Abasaliyev, who instructed him in the
art of mugham. Imamyar is a dynamic virtuoso who performs
Azerbaijani and Middle Eastern traditional improvisations
as well as European classics for the first time as
a kamancha soloist. He organized the first tar, kamancha,
and piano instrumental trio in Azerbaijan named ''Gala"
which took first place in several national and classical
music competitions in Azerbaijan in 1996. In addition,
he has participated in folk music festivals in Canada,
Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkey and the
USA. In 2005 he performed at the concert "Undiscovered
Treasure: Kamancha of Azerbaijan" held at Georgetown
University as well as the Silk Road Festival in Indiana
and the World Music Festival in San Francisco.
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Megan Rancier - Violin
and Kyl Kobyz
Megan started violin lessons at age 9 and earned
a B.Mus. in music history at Bucknell University in
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She has performed in numerous
ensembles specializing in Western classical, bluegrass,
Arab, and Albanian musical styles. Her interest in
Kazakh music began three years ago, and she carried
out music research in Kazakhstan in 2005-06 on a Fulbright
IIE grant. During this time she began learning the
kyl-kobyz from a student of the Kazakh National
Conservatory. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in
ethnomusicology at the University of California, Los
Angeles, where she is also a member of the UCLA Balkan
choir. Her research interests include the music of
Central Asia and the Balkans, music and politics,
and national identity.
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Dawa Lhamo
Dawa was born in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. She
earned her undergraduate degree in Tibetan literature
from Central Minorities University of Beijing. Formerely,
Lhamo was a senior radio and newspaper reporter in
Beijing and Lhasa. Lhamo studied English in the United
States and enjoys all forms of music. She has won
a number of awards for her Tibetan singing and dancing
skills.
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Shirin Baygani-Vakily
Shirin was born and raised in Iran and moved to the
United States in 1985. She has a degree in Arts and
Sciences from Purdue University at Indianapolis majoring
in Architecture and Engineering. She has danced Flamenco
since 2003 with Erica Dominguez and has also been
a member of the Persian dance group Aftab since 2004.
She has performed at Clowes Hall, International Festival,
University of Indianapolis, Indiana University, and
other cultural events. Like all Persian girls, Shirin’s
passion for dance and the need to preserve it comes
from her native land. Persian culture is an interweave
of many cultures along the Silk Road. Her hope is
that through dance one can bring to life the history,
poetry and spiritual images of these enduring cultures
in beautiful movements.
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Anass Sentissi
The Moroccan Andalusian Classical Music Orchestra
of Bloomington was formed in the fall of 2005 by Moroccan
musician Anass Sentissi and ethnomusicologist Anthony
Guest-Scott. Under the subsequent leadership of violist
Mona Seghatoleslami and cellist Loren Serfass, and
under the continued direction of Anass Sentissi, the
orchestra continues its focus on the preservation
of this rich tradition, the teaching of the music
and its cultural significance, and its performance
for the appreciation and enjoyment of audiences all
over the world.
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Mohammad Omranifar
a Tar virtuoso and composer, has performed with orchestras in Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and throughout the USA and also masterfully plays several other ethnic instruments: the Iranian Tar, Seh-Tar, ud and the Baghlama.
Omranifar received his early training from Azerbaijan's well-known master of the Tar, Mahmud Shaterian and graduated with honors with a B.A. in Music in 1998 from the Tehran Institute of Fine Arts in Iran. He began his professional career as an orchestra player with the Iranian National Radio and Television music production unit with which he recorded numerous pieces for broadcast and performed in many live concerts throughout Iran.
Holding the distinction of being the first Tar player in the USA to perform a concerto with an orchestra, Omranifar played the work of Azerbaijani composer Haji Khanmammadov with the La Mirada Symphony orchestra in Southern California on January 2002 under conductor Leon Guide. This Tar concerto debut was featured in the Winter 2001 issue of "Azerbaijan International" magazine (see: www.Azer.com).
Tar virtuoso Mohammad Omranifar enchanted the Egyptian audiece with music from Azarbijan 'Sanada Ghalmaz.'
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Aida Huseynova
Dr. Aida Huseynova is an Associate Professor at the Baku Music Academy in Azerbaijan. She has a Ph.D. in Musicology from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia and is the author of 90 publications in Azerbaijan, the US, Germany, France, Netherlands and Russia, including four books. Aida’s main area of expertise is the East-West synthesis in Azerbaijan’s musical culture. Since 2000, she has been hosted by several times by Indiana University as a visiting scholar. During her most recent 2007 visit, her DVD “Music and Culture of Azerbaijan” was released with the support of Indiana University Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center as a part of “Global Voices” educational DVD series. Also in 2007, Aida began serving as a consultant for the “Silk Road Project” under artistic direction of the world-reputed American cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2007, she was a part of the residency of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble at Harvard University and Villecroze Music Academy, France.
Aida’s work with the Silk Road Project and the Silk Road Ensemble is a continuation of work as a scholar and musician. She presented lectures on the history of Azerbaijani music throughout Europe and the US. In 2005, Aida served as the member of the Advisors’ Committee at the Sixth Annual San Francisco World Music Festival. In 2006, she was a “musicologist-in-residence” at the International Festival and Symposium of Contemporary music “Icebreaker III: The Caucasus” in Seattle. Aida has received numerous grants to support her work, including a fellowship from the Junior Faculty Development Program (2001-02) and the Fulbright Program (2007-08). She is a member of the Composers Union of Azerbaijan and Central Eurasian Studies Society, U.S.A., Secretary General of the National Music Committee of Azerbaijan.
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