ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Natalie Nayun is an international teacher and performer, specializing in contemporary and folkloric styles from Central Asia and the Middle East. She holds a degree in modern dance from UC Berkeley and is a certified Franklin Method Teacher and comprehensive Pilates instructor. Natalie is the artistic director of Ballet Afsaneh and founder of Pomegranate Garden Dance, an international online dance school featuring teachers and students from around the world. Her expertise includes Persian, Afghan, Tajik and Uzbek dance, among other styles. She has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for over 15 years.
www.nayundance.com

Sirvan Manhoobi is a Kurdish Iranian oud and tar player as well as a composer. He was chosen for the Best Soloist award at Iranian music festivals in 2006, 2008 and 2009. After completing his MA in archaeology from Tehran University, Sirvan moved to the United States and continued his musical career. He established the Bamdad Ensemble and collaborated with great artists such as Bijan Kamkar, Aziz Shahrokh, Ardeshir Kamkar and Ismaeel Sabour, as well as the renowned Iranian director Bahram Bezraei in his play Tarabnameh (2016). Sirvan is currently beginning his PhD music studies at the University of California.
www.sirvanmanhoobi.com

Asaf Ophir began his professional career in Israeli musicals, playing in some of the most distinguished theaters in his home country. Having moved to the United States in 2014, Ophir performs throughout the Bay Area in many Jewish, Middle Eastern and Balkan productions, as well as classical and jazz. He has shared the stage with artists such as Avi Kushnir, Emel Mathlauthi, Ustad Mahwash and Barbra Streisand. The San Francisco Chronicle writes: “Asaf Ophir gives the clarinet the timbre of a trumpet, then a violin, then a raspy scream… the instrument’s wail almost becomes too plaintive and beautiful to bear.”
www.asafophir.com

Amir Etemadzadeh is a percussionist and educator, specializing in Persian and Middle Eastern music traditions. With years of experience teaching Tombak, Daf, Darbuka, Tar and other traditional instruments, he has inspired students of all ages worldwide. Amir is the founder of Amir School of Music, and the author of several instructional books on percussion. Beyond teaching, Amir performs and collaborates with diverse artists, exploring the healing power of music in community and therapeutic settings. His passion is to connect cultures and hearts through the universal language of music.
www.amirschoolofmusic.com