Meet the Artists of Dorian Band:

Vocals: Sara Zare

Sara Zare was born into a family with musical interests in Iran. Growing up, she would always listen to her father sing professionally, and she developed an interest in Persian classical music. She started her professional vocal training after graduating from her first degree in Iran. Her passion for singing constantly grew until a point when she decided to pursue singing more professionally and enter an academic voice program. Due to the ban on female singing in Iran, she started to apply abroad and managed to get admitted into the music program of Georgia State University in Atlanta. She continued her postgraduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. After several performances at the university, along with many performances as an independent musician, she made her musical theatre debut in the world premiere of ‘Covidious, A Musical Satire,’ playing the roles of Dianne and Dr. Morgan. Additionally, she performed at the world-famous music festival SXSW in 2022 and was one of the eight female vocalists at the festival ‘Let Her Sing’ in 2021. She was awarded the silver medal in the Global Music Awards in 2021.

You can find her on Instagram: @sarazaresings

Violin: Shaghayegh Taheri

Shaghayegh Taheri, born and raised in Tehran, Iran, embarked on her musical journey at the age of 7, embracing the fundamentals of music through the Orff (Music for Children) approach. Her profound fascination with the violin was ignited during her early years, inspired by Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons.’ Guided by accomplished violinists, including the renowned Siavash Zahireddini, Nima Zahedi, and Taha Abedian, Shaghayegh honed her skills and developed a unique artistic style. At 18, she joined the Austrian-Iranian Symphony Orchestra (AISO), conducted first by Maestro Vijay Upadhyaya and later by Maestro Christian Schulz. She graced stages across Tehran with AISO for six years. In 2013, Shaghayegh ventured to the United States to pursue her career in architecture, becoming a Registered Architect. Alongside her architectural endeavors, she continued to practice her beloved instrument, performing on stages in Texas, keeping the flame of her passion for music and the violin burning brightly.

You can find her on Instagram: @shaghayeghtah

Percussion: Rambod Dargahi

Born and raised in Esfahan, Iran, within a family where music coursed through their veins, Rambod’s fascination with the tonbak was ignited at a young age by the mesmerizing rhythms played by his older brother. However, his musical journey took a significant step during his undergraduate studies at the University of Tehran’s College of Engineering, where he encountered a talented group of students who had formed an ensemble known as Barbad. Inspired by their percussionist, Rambod began mimicking the techniques and honing his tonbak skills, which ultimately granted him a transformative opportunity to join Barbad as the tonbak player in 2008. He participated in multiple concerts with Barbad before venturing to the United States in 2011 to pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration at the University of Houston. Thereafter, Rambod collaborated with diverse bands and graced various stages. This included playing with Triolet at the Delft University of Technology, joining MiSaaz at the Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and performing with Taak at the University of St. Thomas. His meeting with Fared Shafinury in 2019 not only marked a new chapter in Rambod's musical journey but also brought forth a unique duet experience, featuring the setar and tonbak on several stages across the U.S., including Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, and The Getty Villa. A versatile percussionist, Rambod also plays other instruments like cajon, djembe, darbuka, and udu drum. Yet, his unparalleled passion lies with the tonbak, which he dreams of showcasing on grand stages worldwide, revealing his profound connection with this delicate and intricate instrument.

You can find him on Instagram: @ramboddargahi

Flute: Mahtab Karimipour

Mahtab Karimipour, an Iranian dedicated flutist, began her musical journey at the age of 11 under the tutelage of Hamid Karimian. She continued her education at Sharif University and joined the Baran music band, where she met the band composer and pianist Mohammad Tavakkoli. Their shared musical interests blossomed into a personal connection, and they eventually tied the knot three years later. Her musical education evolved under Mohammad Ali Lagha's mentorship. In 2012, she moved to the U.S. for an industrial engineering master's degree at the University of Houston. In Houston, she joined the Misaaz band at Rice University, enhancing their performances with her enchanting flute skills. Mahtab's passion for music persists as she continues to learn under the guidance of flutist Shaghayegh Sadeghian, demonstrating unwavering commitment to her artistic and educational pursuits.

You can find her on Instagram: @mahtab.karimipour

Tar: Azin Zakeri

Azin Zakeri, born and raised in Gorgan, Iran, embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 9, delving into the world of Persian traditional music. Her first instrument, the Persian Setar, marked the beginning of her passionate exploration. Two years later, her brother gifted her a Persian Tar, an instrument as tall as she was at the time. Under the guidance of various musician masters, including the illustrious Seyed Arash Shahriari, Azin honed her Tar-playing skills. She joined her brother's traditional music ensemble, contributing her talents on the bass Tar. After six years of dedication and numerous concerts across Iran, she gained admission to the masterclass of the legendary Iranian Tar virtuoso, Mohammad Reza Lotfi, where she delved deeply into the intricacies of Persian radif music. Prior to leaving Iran, Azin participated in an ensemble led by Pejman Taheri, featuring the incomparable maestro Shahram Nazeri as the lead vocalist. She also lent her skills to the Persian music album "Amir Kabir," sung by Shahram Nazeri. In 2011, Azin journeyed to the United States, where she continued to weave her Tar melodies into collaborations with various musicians and bands in Houston, TX. Her commitment to preserving and sharing her art has led her to teach Persian Tar in Houston, inspiring several students along the way. Azin Zakeri remains an artist who consistently pushes the boundaries of her craft, continually striving for musical excellence.

You can find her on Instagram: @zakeriazin

Piano, Composition, & Arrangement: Mohammad Tavakkoli

Mohammad Tavakkoli, born in Abadeh, Fars province, inherited a love for music from his father, a music teacher and composer. Alongside his father's band, he performed as a child, nurturing his musical skills. While pursuing an engineering degree at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, he studied music under the supervision of Professor Parviz Iranpour, mastering composition, and piano. Mohammad formed the Baran band at the university, which led to several great performances that left a lasting impact on the university's music scene. Mohammad's talent caught the attention of the university administration, and he was selected to compose the official songs for Sharif University's 40th-anniversary celebration. His compositions received widespread acclaim from the university community. He later pursued a postdoctoral engineering degree at Rice University in the United States, all while continuing to compose and perform. In a remarkable performance at Rice Shepherd School of Music, Mohammad collaborated with the Misaaz band as both a composer and pianist, delivering a musical experience that resonated deeply with the audience. Today, as the COO of his own company, Mohammad combines his engineering expertise with his musical interests, crafting captivating and innovative pieces that reflect his unwavering commitment to both fields.

You can find him on Instagram: @mohammadtavakkoli