Performers/ Artists / program

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Mehregan 2018 Santana Row, Wedensday, Sep. 26

Registration

Santana Row Announcement 

Program Schedule

5:00 pm. – Musical entertainment with a DJ
5:45 pm. – Opening

Greetings: Fariba Nejat

MC: Yaasha Sabba

5:55 pm. – Vocal pop Persian music
Vocal: Ali Asgari
Dance: Sabiba

6:00 pm. – Classical Persian Youth Orchestra:

Master Mohammad Nejad and students from:
 NEJAD WORLD MUSIC CENTER

The members of Classical Persian youth orchestra:

Daara Alavi, Rameen  safaei, Sina Nakhkoob, Raiyaan Mulla , Amanda Talab, Ava Khosravi, Borna Alavi, Boz Azordegan, Nava Babaei, Nima Aminzadeh, Neda Aminzadeh , Amanda Talab, Ryan Farkhondeh, Hawk Azordegan,  Fartash Shahvire, and Bahar Sohrabi

6:35 pm. – Greetings from organizers, Officials and Sponsors

6:55 pm.- Wisdom words about “Mehregan” Persian Fall Festival

Ms. Homa Faravashi & Rev. Kathy Homara

7:00 pm.- Magic performance and Story telling

Michael Stroud, Ariyan Donsen,  Chirine Donsen- Sherafat

Vocal: Ali Asgari

Ney by: Master Mohammad Nejad

Dances: Sabiba, Rev. Kathy Homara and Jenny

7:45 pm._  Vocal and Piano:

Vocal: Firouzeh Zandi, Piano: Azadeh Nemat Gorgani

8:00 Pm_ Vocal pop Song & Dance

Vocal: Ali Asgari, Dance: Sabiba

8:05 pm_ Live Music, DJ, and General Dance

Master Mohammad Nejad, Dr. Ardeshir Salem, Ali Asgari, DJ

8:55 pm.- Closing
9:00 pm.- Adjourned

 

YAASHA SABBA

MC of the Program

One of San Francisco’s few Family Business Lawyers™, Yaasha Sabba manages Sky Unlimited Legal Advisory PC and is a part of a larger network of attorneys who view the business of law as flawed.  Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to managing business or personal risk, Yaasha and his team have created one-of-a-kind systems for entrepreneurs and families to use in their legal planning that can keep up with the constantly changing business climate and will proactively position them for continued growth.

Yaasha formerly worked as a patent attorney at Visa Inc. with a portfolio of over 1,500 patents under his team’s management, including the technology behind Apple Pay and Android Pay.  Now, his day-to-day ranges between counseling business owners on their legal, insurance, financial and tax foundations, helping families protect their children and estates, and providing inventors with guidance on expanding their ideas.

Yaasha spends most of the free time he can spare from his own family hosting workshops, mentoring Millennials and iGens on financial literacy, and giving presentations on personal financial growth, kids protection planning, and asset protection.  Yaasha is known for stating, “Its easier than ever to start growing your family wealth and take control of your life.”

 

DR. ARDESHIR SALEM

MUSICIAN & DENTIST

Ardeshir, an Iranian-American Cosmetic Dentist (since 1988), Philanthropist, Musician, Sailor, Skier and painter. He holds a B.S. degree in Bio Chemistry and Art from U.C. Santa Cruz. He came to USA in 1976.

“There must be no preconceived idea and each of my paintings is an adventure. When I start to create my forms and shapes of nature, I never know how it will come out. Sometimes this is the risk that I must take. I almost never visualize a picture in my mind before starting to paint. I do believe that a piece is finished only after one has completely expressed the idea that was there at the start. Nature, in combination with tattooed experiences of my past, are the main source of my “Spontaneous Expressionism”. To see through my paintings requires one’s own effort, as it requires my effort to create a painting.”

~ Dr. Ardeshir Salem

 

 HOMA FARAVASHI

 POET & HISTORIAN & AUTHOR & TEACHER

Homa is a well-educated woman who has focused her efforts to educate young people about Arabic and Persian language arts. She is an Arabic instructor that can teach Grammar, Reading comprehension, Interpretation of Philosophy, and History. She taught Arabic and Persian to 12th grade students at Bu Ali Senior High School in Tehran. The curriculum included Modern Philosophy course work that covered post Hegel theories spanning 19th through 20th centuries and the History courses covered Iranian historical occurrences spanning over the last 300 years.

Homa received her B.A in Persian Literature. Her thesis was written on the role of women in Divaan-e Nezaami, under Dr. Zabihollah Safa’s supervision. She went on to receive her M.A. in Educational Psychology from Tehran University. Her thesis focused on Persian grammar and the role of mozaaf and mozafon elayh مضاف و مضافٌ علیه. She worked under the supervision of Dr. Qharib at Tehran University. Homa has also served as a lecturer of Persian literature to undergraduate students that were pursuing their Bachelor of Arts degrees. The course work was comprised of teaching the works of various Persian poets/philosophers such as Rumi, Saadi and Khayam.

Nejad with Kamanche

MOHAMMAD NEJAD

COMPOSER, MASTER INSTRUMENTALIST

NEJAD WORLD MUSIC CENTER

The Youth orchestra: Daara Alavi, Rameen  safaei, Sina Nakhkoob, Raiyaan Mulla , Amanda Talab, Ava Khosravi, Borna Alavi, Boz Azordegan, Nava Babaei, Nima Aminzadeh, Neda Aminzadeh , Amanda Talab, Ryan Farkhondeh, Hawk Azordegan, Fartash Shahvire, and Bahar Sohrabi

Mohammad Nejad, a Persian-born master multi-instrumentalist, was born to a musical family in Tehran, Iran. As a young child, Persian classical music was passed down to him from his father. In Tehran he attended a special high school for musicians, later graduating from Fine Arts Academy in 1976, and in 1990 received a Bachelors of Fine Arts Musicianship and Performance from Tehran University, proficient in both the Western and Persian musical systems. While studying toward the completion of his degree, he was blessed with having master teachers of Persian classical music including Ostad Roushanravan, Ostad Sinaki, Ostad Jankook, Ostad Paayvar, Ostad Tavakol, Ostad Tahmasebiyan, Ostad Moosavi, Ostad Khoshdel and Ostad Baharlou.

In the early 1990s he began recording for the Iranian motion picture industry. He composed for and performed with many music and dance ensembles in Iran.

Nejad came to the United States in 1995, he now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Nejad plays a large number of instruments, including ney, zurna, Western flute, santur, kanun, oud, setar, dotar, tar, kemanche, violin, daf, dumbek, zarb, accordion and keyboards. He effectively uses Persian instruments to add a Persian influence to Western classical, jazz, blues, new age, and flamenco. He also performs traditional Persian classical music.

He collaborates with many other musicians and ensembles. He has performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States, including most campuses of the University of California, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco, and the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. He teaches privately and through workshops.

Here he established the Nejad World Music Center, to teach youth and adults in the community and bring world artists to the United States for collaboration and performance.

 

SABIBA

DANCE & NUTRITIONAL SERVICES

Sabiba is an accomplished choreographer and featured performer in Greek and Middle Eastern dance venues. She was introduced to theatre and dance at a very young age. Her mother was a National Champion skater and she had several artists in her family. That familial influence led to her Majoring in Theatre Arts and Dance at San Francisco State. There she was introduced to various genres of dance including Flamenco and Middle Eastern dance. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and teaching others to dance.

Sabiba returned to college to earn a bachelor’s degree of science from San Jose State University. She became a Registered Dietitian specializing in Diabetes Care. She is the Director of Nutritional Services for six out-patient clinics within the Gardner Family Health Network. Although caring for her patients is challenging and gratifying work, dance is still a major influence in her life.

Having a connection to many people in the Persian community, she has come to love the elegance, emotion, and complexity of Persian music and dance. Sabiba is humbled and delighted to find that her interpretation of dance is welcomed by the Persian community. On September 26, 2018, she will share the joy of Persian dance in the celebration of The Persian Fall Festival of “Mehregan.”

ALI ASGARI

SINGING PERSIAN POP MUSIC

Ali Asgari is a pop singer with tremendous passion and drive. He started out twenty years ago in 1998 singing Persian pop music while in the university. He took the initiative and with dedication created a band, later transformed it into a professional group band. He has adopted the legendary Vigen and Aaref singing style and he enjoys making everyone happy with his singing. His style is powerful, expressive with a wide vocal range and is truly engaging. Ali produced the album of Stranger in Iran in 2010.
Ali’s full time occupation is a career in Silicon Valley as an electrical designer. He graduated from Ferdowsi University in Mashhad/Iran as an Electrical Engineer and moved to USA in 2013.

 

JENNIFER STARK

Designer & Artist & Social Justice

Jennifer was born in the Piedmont enclave of Oakland, California. She was born into a fifth-generation Californian family of accomplished scientists, gifted artists, and loving musicians. Jennifer’s home, was at the top of a wonderful street, filled with an amazing assortment of eclectic neighbors, books, and romantic gardens. Throughout her life, Jen’s family influenced her in three main interests; writing, art, the healing art of medicine.

Jennifer is totally self-educated, with spurts and experiences at the College of San Mateo, Foothill College, Pima College and the University of Arizona. Jen’s real education has been the world. Jennifer and her husband have traveled extensively with their family of 4 children. Jennifer and her husband moved to Panama in 2006 after their last child graduated from high school. There they started a small organic coffee farm. Jennifer feels that her experience of living in Panama was the most transforming of all her life experiences. She believes that experience broadened her social awareness and her to acquire a deeper understanding of people.

While Jennifer was without her children and in a foreign land, she was struggling to find a new definition of herself. She discovered what it was like to be an immigrant, trying to blend into a new society. She experienced what it was like to be profiled. In 2015, Jennifer’s husband passed away unexpectedly. She permanently moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area. The experiences of her life and her journey, are what ultimately led Jennifer to being involved with Fariba and her amazing interests and projects.

The American Federated Women’s Club and The Iranian Federated Women’s Club, bring to Jennifer, a group of people that have a serious focus on social change coupled with an artistic drive.

MICHAEL STROUD – Magician 

PERSIAN STORY TELLER

Michael Stroud, is a 12-time award-winning magician, consultant, inventor, author and lecturer in the art of magic.

His performances range from strolling close-up sleight-of-hand or “street style” magic, to grand stage illusions with a live band and a cast of circus performers. He has appeared on radio and television across the US, Japan, Europe, and India. He has also been featured on a Bill Moyers PBS Special.

He has performed as headline entertainment in 12 countries, as well as several hotels in Las Vegas, and at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. As an author, his best-selling “Book of Magic”, published by Klutz Press, has sold over 2 million copies. He has been published multiple times and has contributed to 9 titles that are currently available at your local bookstore.

He blends comedy, audience participation, circus skills and many surprises with special effects in his performances. Each show is carefully customized for maximum impact and he performs many classic magic feats with inventions of his own that you will see no-one else perform. His repertoire includes magic from around the world, including esoteric art forms that many audiences will never get a chance to see live, in person.

For his close-up magic, he causes borrowed objects to float in the air, coins turn invisible and reappear right in your own hand, amazing acts of ESP., mind-reading, and dexterous abilities with a pack of cards that take years of diligent practice. Your guests will be spellbound. Bursts of laughter will be heard rippling through the room, in between rounds of applause, for an experience you will not forget, by this master of the craft of magical entertainment.

CHIRINE (SHIRINE) DONSEN- SHERAFAT

PROJECT & MARKETING MANAGER, WRITER, PERSIAN STORY TELLER

A highly competent linguist able to communicate at the highest business levels, in six languages – English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Persian (Farsi), with 20 years of experience in the International Organizations, Chirine grow up between Iran and Europe. She received her MA in French Literature, MBA.

Born in a family of intellectual and artists, her mother (Mahin Kasmaei) was the first lady of dubbing industry (which has been imported to Iran by her Mother’s Uncle Mr. Kasmaei and Dr. Kooshan), grow up with love of literature and movies.

 “My mother’s beautiful voice, accompanied me and a nation during a continuous golden era of movie industry, with her remarkable roles as the voice of Audrey Hepburn, Elisabeth Tayler, Shirley Mc Laine, Romy Schneider and many more, she made us dream “

Inspired by new challenges and continues quest for self- improvement, Chirine is interested in new culture and in search of new horizons.

Involved in various philanthropic causes, such as “Children of Work” in Iran, and animals, she is ready to defend and get involved in humanitarian works.

She is an avid skier (Ski instructor at the age of 16), water skier, horse rider and tennis player, she enjoys sports, music, literature and being a proud mom to Ariyan.

ARIYAN DONSEN, 

MAGICAL PLAY- ACTING

Ariyan speaks 4 languages (Farsi, French, German and English) and is born to an Iranian mother and Dutch father.

He loves to write, and illustrated his own stories and wants to become an actor. Very sportive and active, Ariyan is always ready to jump and run for new challenges.

He loves “Shahnameh”, especially stories of “Rostam” and wishes to illustrate new version of his favorite Iranian hero Rostam.

Avid Fortnite and Minecraft player, he dreams of creating his own game. He started his own youtube channel : “Executioner666”, he has been active since a year, with almost 120 videos posted.

He is a good skier, tennis player, Ice skater and loves animals, especially his cats :Mangooleh and Zangooleh.

FARIBA DADFARMAY NEJAT

ARTIST,  PRODUCER & ORGANIZER

Fariba Nejat is a leading Iranian-American community organizer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator, teacher, engineer and portrait painter. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the Shahid Beheshti University (formerly Meli University) in Iran, a B.S. in Computer Science, and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the National University in San Jose, California. Before assuming leadership roles with various not-for-profit organizations and in the community, she worked as a technology leader in Silicon Valley, California. She also volunteered with Santa Clara Valley charities.

She became a certified high school teacher in Iran and taught Physics and Math until 1983. Her passion of creating a teaching technique through science and art helped her to create a system to teach Iranian Americans how to read and write Persian. She became a mentor to many youths in the Silicon Valley.

She was featured as “one of the six women who changed the face of Silicon Valley” by the San Jose Mercury News in 2004. She has also produced several award-winning artistic paintings and sculptures. For example, one of her paintings, “Beaded Veils from the Gulf,” was prominently displayed in the Capitol Building in Sacramento as a representative of district 13 of California. Her artwork has culminated in a manifestation titled “Faces in the Crowd” which displays her love for art and people. Her most notable achievement regarding her artwork is the portrait painting of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, which included a message of peace by one of the greatest Iranian poets, Sa’di.

 

KATHY HOMARA

DANCE & LICENSED SCIENCE OF MIND SPIRITUAL LEADER

Kathy Homara is a New Thought professionally licensed science of mind spiritual leader, speaker, ritualist and officiator. She recently completed her master’s degree in Consciousness Studies, focused on education, science, psychology, philosophy and world religions. Her passion for understanding human potential and her love for life, science, humanity and the way of the Universe, has taken her from the corporate world toward a path of enlightenment and wisdom teaching. She serves, empowers and educates communities to enable them to transform their lives, live their dreams and thrive. Kathy is committed to teaching the principles of life, living fully and loving freely.

Currently Kathy serves at the San Jose Center for Spiritual Living, Payvand and The Iranian Women’s Federated Club providing spiritual support to people with health, relationship and career discontentment. Kathy also offers classes on the foundations of spiritual parenting, principles of life, radical forgiveness, and living powerfully and abundantly. Based on availability, Kathy also offers various ceremonies including weddings and memorial services.

Kathy is environmentally awake. She sees a world that works for everyone and holds the vision for our children and future generations to thrive in peace and harmony on our beautiful blue and green planet. Kathy knows we are borrowing this planet from our children and that nurturing our children’s brilliant minds is the key to our futures. She is a dedicated advocate for gifted children. She believes in an educational system and curriculum that empowers children and nurtures their innovative minds through hands-on experiences coupled with Science of Mind and Spirit wisdom teachings. Kathy is very artistic, creative and grounded in her spiritual practices. Love, companionship, and peace are the foundation of her path to excellence. Kathy believes nurturing the potential of children is one of the most important solutions to our future now. Nurturing our future generation is one of the most important keys to longevity as a thriving human race. Kathy’s natural inclination in the field of human potential along with her organizational skill, and spiritual practices help her to live powerfully and overcome many challenges as the mother of two young boys. Kathy loves and values music, dance, nature, and spiritually conscious living.

 

MARJAN SHAHRIAREE HOURIAN
GALLERY OWNER- ART COLLECTOR

Marjan has grown up on art and museums, she loves to spend hours in museums and examine each masterpiece with inquisitiveness and admiration. She learned art and museums from her parents at very early age through visiting and spending log hours at Louvre, going to ballet and listening to classical music in Paris/France. Marjan is a graduate of Brook College in fashion merchandising and design. She had a stint at a fine jewelry department selling and learning about precious gems.

Marjan was married to Mohammad Hourian who was also in love with classical arts and was a very famous Artist. He was a great teacher and his knowledge of art history was phenomenal. He was able to point out art details that may have gone unnoticed. Marjan and Mohammad owned the Hourian Art Gallery in San Francisco.

COMRON HOURIAN

VOLUNTEER , ARTIST and ART COLLECTOR

Comron was born in San Francisco, California, to an artistic family originally from Iran.

From the time of a very young age, he was exposed to all kinds of art, from Traditional Persian miniatures to Modern art. It was at this time when he was inspired to work on his own art and do the many whimsical patterns he was so influenced by.

His father, Mohammad Hourian, is a renowned Persian miniaturist. He is well known within the Iranian community in the USA, for his gallery, the Hourian Art Gallery on Union Street. Mohammed took Comron to museums like, the MOMA, The Legion of Honor, The DeYoung and Asian Art Museum, where he was inspired by the pieces that were there.

At his Father’s gallery, there were many artists who had many shows. Comron was inspired by beauty in the eclectic art that was displayed. This inspired him to be an artist.

Another art gallery owner noticed Comron’s talent. He facilitated two shows for Comron to present his latest work to the public.

One important step in being a good artist is to learn the technique, he is currently studying art at Los Mendanos College. He hopes to continue his study of Art and Art history at the Academy of Art of San Francisco.

FIROUZEH ZANDI

FACULTY COMPUTER SCIENCE & VOCALIST

Firouzeh Zandi is teaching Computer Science at Diablo Valley College. She has her Bachelors Degree from San Francisco State University, Masters from Cal State University Hayward and has done post graduate work in Computer simulation at UCLA. She loves teaching. Another great passion of her life is Music. She has had enough music classes in college to claim a Minor in Music. Other than vocal classes in college she has worked with renowned Masters such as Ostad Mohseni and Ruhan Parsa. One of her rare talents that is claimed by only a few is to play Santour and sing at the same time. She can sing in Farsi/Persian, English, French and Italian. She likes to sing folkloric Iranian songs to preserve the culture. She also loves to compose poetry.

Because of her love for dancing she has taken classes from Madam Yelena in Iran and numerous workshops with Shahrokh Moskin Ghalam, Sahar Dehghan, Sharlyn Sawyer and Niosha Nafei.

Firouzeh loves to connect people together and has dedicated herself to preserving the culture. She is one of the founders of the Persian Center in Berkeley which hosts many cultural events. At Diablo Valley College, she is the advisor of Persian club which has hosted many beautiful Nowruz shows with over 300 attendees.  She has also helped with Kaanun Mehr and brought many talents to Kaanun to cheer the seniors up. She says “my greatest joy in life is to bring a smile to someone’s face.” Firouzeh performed in many cultural events in Bay Area.

AZADEH NEMAT GORGANI

PIANIST

Born in Tehran, Azadeh Nemat Gorgani has played the piano since 5 years of age and studied under the most revered masters of Iranian music and piano, including Ms. Ghajar, Ms. Ebrahimi, Ms. Fariba Javaheri and Ms. Fakhri Malekpoor. At the age of 18, she was invited as a regular performer in Iran’s national radio and TV network, where she collaborated with the leading musicians of the time, most notably with renowned Iranian violinist Maestro Asadollah Malek.  In addition, Ms. Gorgani’scollaborations have extended to other famed musicians, such as Fakhri Malekpour, Jahangir Malek, Simin Ghaem, Pari Zangeneh, Shahriar Faryousefi and Farshid Farahmand.  She has performed on tour throughout Iran and in 1998 was among the first females to perform in the prestigious Roodaki Hall after the Islamic Revolution.  At the prestigious national festival, “Jashnvareye Gole Yas,” Ms. Gorgani, received the first prize for her piano performance.  

In the United States, Ms. Gorgani furthered her musical training at Notre Dame Conservatory.   Today, she is an active performer, continuing to inspire audiences with her unique style and blend of traditional and contemporary Persian music elements.  With over 50 performances in Northern California with renowned musicians, such as Mohammad Nejad, Pari Zangeneh, Nasser Sabouri and Ken Habib, Azadeh Nemat Gorgani has built a strong reputation among the Iranian ex-patriot as well as world music community.  In her quest to make a positive impact with future generations, Ms. Gorgani has founded a children’s music school in Benicia, CA.

 

ANDY NGUYEN

COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

Andy Nguyen was born in Vietnam and raised in San Jose. Currently, he is enrolled at San Jose State University as a BFA student majoring in Art and Photography with a minor in Art of Education. Nguyen creates photographs, which reflect and communicate the landscapes, nature and lifestyle of people living in America within different communities. Nguyen is passionate about this subject and he has captured the beauty of cultural dance in our community. He wishes to capture the essence of the subject’s personality and the unique lifestyle that contributes to the individual beauty of the person being photographed. A multicultural society encompasses people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures living and working together. Nguyen has been exploring the ideas of cultural leveling; beliefs of one culture are spread around to others for our next generation. Visitors can experience the lifestyles of different ethnicities in our community. They can sample traditional dance in each season from different countries such as India, Iran, Mexico and Vietnam. Photography is Nguyen passion and has an eye for viewing the uniqueness of many countries and the diversity they produce.

FARBOD POURDEHMOBED

PHOTOGRAPHER

Farbod is an 18 year old student photographer who was born in Tehran, Iran to an honorable Zoroastrian family. He moved to the US at the age of 5 in 2005 with his parents to have a better education. He currently goes to De Anza College with hopes of becoming a civil engineer like his father. Farbod worked everyday summer of 2016 to buy his camera and now he takes clients to photograph all the time. He specializes in portrait photography for senior portraits and drone photography. you can find his photography page @farbetter.photos on instagram.
Farbod plays multiple musical instruments, all the way from saxophone to the Persian Santour. He was taught by Ostad Mohammad Nejad for multiple years doing concerts and gatherings.
Farbod takes pride in his heritage and everything he does, all the way from helping out in his Zoroastrian community to his photography.

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