Light of Hope

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Seldom does the world see a day devoid of unprecedented turbulent events. The only way to be replete with peace and harmony is to allow LOVE to conquer hatred, and LIGHT to overcome darkness.

Music is the universal language that binds and unites us. Through music and dance, we can cultivate LOVE and LIGHT.

Light of Hope is the reflection of the turmoil we have experienced in recent years, transformed through music into LOVE, promoting unity , and strength, and reminding us of the truth of humanity: that we are all woven from the same fabric.

Based on the musical compositions of Saman Mahmoudi, Light of Hope will portray a vision of Light winning over Darkness.

Saman Mahmoudi : Composer, Improviser on Santour.

Shahrzad Khorsandi : Dancer, Choreographer, dance scholar

Nariman Assadi : Percussion

Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 7:30pm.

General Admission Tickets are $40 at the door.

Saman Mahmoudi

Saman Mahmoudi was born in Tehran, Iran. He started playing Tombak (Persian drum) at the age of 5 under the supervision of his father. Saman's natural talent in capturing the foundation of Persian classical music and instruments such as Santour was noticeable from the early stages of his childhood. He continued his learning under the tutelage of two Iranian master musicians, Mehdi Setayeshgar and Pashang Kamkar, for one year prior to departing Iran in 1984, where soon after he resided in Austria. His first performance in 1984 at the age of 13 in Vienna was in front of a 300-person crowd and another accompanying Iranian vocalist Soroosh Izadi, also known as Soosan Matloobi at age 15.

Saman came to the United States in 1987 and continued his work and music, mainly improvisation based on the radif. He is known for his spontaneous improvising style and dominating ability on percussive instruments. Saman had the privilege of performing with or in the presence of many Grand Masters in Classical Persian music such as late Jalil Shahnaz, legendary late vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Late Parviz Meshkatian, Abdulvahab Shahidi, Jalal Zolfonoun and in one occasion where he toured with late Mohammad Reza Lotfi in a fund raising tour for tragic Northern Iran earthquake which occured in 1990. The three main grand master musicians that have always been his biggest inspiration in music are : Late Parviz Meshkatian, Jalil Shahnaz and Mohammad Reza Lotfi as well as Mohammad Reza Shajarian always being a huge idol to him.

In recent years; Saman's ability to sing and his soulful style enabled him to deliver touchy dynamic moments in many of his musical performances.

Saman also started a series of musical fusion concerts, combining Classical Persian Music with music from other countries and regions, such as Greece, India, and South America. His goal for doing so is to show the world that in spite of differences in beliefs, cultures, and ideas; music is the bridge to connect the gaps and its our bonding universal language.

He is the idealist, composer and improviser of the " LIGHT of HOPE" music project with a mission statement and slogan of LOVE , Unity , Strength and seeking out the Truth through music during the recent unprecedented volatile worldly times and its reflection portrayed by music.

Saman is currently living in Phoenix, AZ and continuing his work mainly with several Classical Persian and international musicians and percussionists as well as being a member of the Salam ensemble , Middle grounds ensemble and the Pangean orchestra.

Shahrzad Khorsandi

Shahrzad Khorsandi is an Iranian-born dancer and choreographer residing in California. She studied Modern Dance and Performance Art at CalArts, and holds a BA in Dance, and an MA in Creative Arts from San Francisco State University. Shahrzad has been faculty at several colleges in the Bay Area, and travels globally to teach and perform Iranian dance. A pioneer in the field, Shahrzad has drawn upon her experience in Iranian culture, and her formal dance training, to create a dance vocabulary and pedagogy for Iranian dance as a means for artistic expression, helping in the artistic development and dissemination of an art form that continues to face social and political obstacles. She has documented this format in a book, The Art of Persian Dance (2015). Shahrzad is the artistic director of Shahrzad Dance Company, co-founder of Iranian Dance Academy and the Dance Center of Iran, and a member of an international research team, studying the effects of dance on the brain.

With conceptual themes and complex movement patterns, Shahrzad’s work embodies contemporary Iranian culture through dynamic and engaging choreography, taking creative risks while remaining rooted in the refined, poetically potent aesthetics of Iranian dance. She defines her dance style as contemporary Iranian dance.

Learn more at Shahrzad’s website, www.shahrzadance.com.

Nariman Assadi

Nariman Assadi is an Iranian musician. Raised in Tehran, he always felt drawn to percussion instruments. At the age of thirteen, he began studying Tombak under Master Amir Mogharab Samadi. From 2008 to 2013, Nariman performed at Vahdat Hall as a soloist and with the Persian Percussion Ensemble at Pars Academy, the premier music academy for children. After mastering Tombak, he then began learning Daf under the great Master Bijan Kamkar. With a strong understanding of the Daf and Tombak, Nariman started learning Barbat (Oud) under Master Mohammad Firouzi.

In 2015, Nariman immigrated to the United States. He immediately began his professional music career by performing and attending festivals. Along with being a member of various ensembles, Nariman is a certified-Orff teacher and teaches Daf, Tombak, and Music for children.

In 2022, he toured all over the United States with Afra Ensemble, led by Master Hossein Behrouzina. Additionally, Nariman relaeasd his first album Larzanah, Improvisation of Iranian Folk Music, with Master Faraj Alipour on vocals and Kamancheh.

Currently, he teaches Iranian Music at Farsi Schools in Sacramento and the Bay Area. He also teaches music at more than seven elemantary schools in Sacramento.

Learn more at Nariman's website: www.narimanpercussion.com