Reviews

"Her expressive playing, buttressed by intelligent lecturing, richly expanded my students' understanding of Persian classical music. In comments written after class, one student wrote that 'the music was breathtaking,' while another opined that it was 'soothing and transcendental.' I am passionate about using music to increase global understanding and am therefore extremely happy that Bahrami furthered this goal. I highly recommend Roya Bahrami as both an educator and artist." Professor Paul Austerlitz, Sunderman Conservatory of Music, Gettysburg, PA (2018)

"Wonderful mix of sound and texture. Very dreamy.. Very moving! Excellent!.. Unique and insightful.. An incredible introduction to the many ways art, music and culture connect across the globe.. Roya and her ensemble were an ideal way for us to fulfill our mission focusing on Global Sounds" Joanna Pecore, Director, Asian Culture & Art Center, Towson University, MD (2017)

"Roya Ensemble do more than just play music. They express their love and passion for their art through heartfelt and masterful performance.  Their technical skill is outpaced only by their warm spirit and gracious demeanor." Haley Powell, Executive Director, Emerging Arts Leaders Symposium at American University, Washington DC (2017)

"Dear Roya, Ricardo, and Jon,  The 36th Annual Washington Folk Festival was a great success!  Thousands turned out to enjoy this celebration of music, dance, and storytelling.  Many of those thousands were crammed into Chautauqua, listening to the beautiful sounds of santur, flamenco guitar, and percussion, woven into Roya's stirring vocal renditions of Persian poetry.  You even received a very rare standing ovation after your soulful performance and the wonderful blending of your instruments.  An accomplished musician on our program committee stated that your concert "made my hair stand on end."  I didn't care what was happening in the rest of the Festival as I sat mesmerized for your set.  Such beautiful music needs to be heard much more frequently." Washington Folk Festival Program Committee Co-Chair, Carol Lite (2016)

"Your performance is a key highlight to so many festival attendees and staff. You absolutely packed them in, leaving many folks outside and disappointed. We will try the Ballroom next year which has much more space. What a joy to hear you!" Washington Folk Festival Program Committee Co-Chair, Carol Lite (2014)

"Roya has achieved a level of artistry that few can claim. The message of her music is uniquely profound, far reaching and inspiring in the extreme. All who hear her will be changed for the better by the experience. I had the pleasure of inviting Roya to present her music to a large group of our students in a lecture recital format. The presentation was excellent and had a tremendous and far reaching impact on the students. The value and inspiration that was generated by this was immeasurable. She has a richness and depth of character that transcends all boundaries real and imaginary. I give her my highest recommendation." Nancy Jo Snider, Director, Music Program, American University, Washington, D.C.

“We were enormously lucky to have Roya Bahrami as a teacher and a performer for traditional Persian music and flamenco fusion music at the annual Hackbrett-Day 2013 in Linz, Austria. Her knowledge about the styles, as well as her empathic way of passing on her music to all the students although they were different in age and level was amazing. Roya Bahrami is not just an extraordinary performer, she also has the ability to share her music and her great love for music with others. This enriches all people around her in a miraculous way, which in the end cannot be explained by words.” Franziska Fleischanderl, Founder Hackbrett Tag, Austria

"Very creative & artistic with Middle Eastern and Western music influences melted together. This music group has a lot of potential!" International Acoustic Music Awards (Best Group Finalist - 2011)

"Your music and presence were a gift." Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, Rev. Anya (2012)

"Your music is simply beautiful and your messages about the culture were informative, clear, and universal.. wonderful stage presence." Green Acres School, Rockville, MD, Head of School, Neal Brown (2012)

"Mesmerizing performance .. . beautiful sound .. an essential part of this festival." Washington Folk Festival Program Committee Co-Chair, Carol Lite (2011)

"The Roya Ensemble performed in front of standing-room-only crowd at the Washington Folk Festival on Sunday, June 6, 2010 and the audience was left spellbound by their music and the fusion of santur, flamenco guitar, clarinet, and percussion. Each musician had a chance to do a duet with the santur, highlighting the playfulness, depth, and musicality of those instruments. The sound of all four together was pure magic...the kind of performance that leaves some unable to applaud because of being totally wrapped up in the music. Roya's voice added yet another element of magic to the performance. The Roya Ensemble was a huge hit at the Festival, mentioned by many folks as one of their favorites in the two day festival. They will be invited back next year! My husband and I are now groupies, eagerly awaiting the next live performance. In the meantime, we have been enjoying Roya's latest recording." Carol Lite, Program Committee Co-Chair, Washington Folk Festival

"The performance was well received by both students and teachers and truly complimented our World Cultures programming. Desepe de Vargas, Multilingual Communications And the Arts Assistant Principal, Bell Multicultural High School, Washington, D.C.

"The evening could not have been more enchanting. The Persian musical selections of Roya and Antonio were passionate, tender and inspiring. With or without words, you could feel the intensity of how this music lives and thrives in Roya. The fact that the event took place in a museum related to flamenco in Seville, served only to accentuate the interest of the legacy of Persian music in the Al-Andalus tradition. It was truly a magical event." Dr. Maritheresa Frain, Director, Council on International Educational Exchange, Seville, Spain

"All in all, we could have not wished for a more enriching program, one that opened up new avenues of awareness and appreciation in our journey of coming to a better understanding of our world."  Dr. Ellen Echeverria, George Washington University School of Languages, Washington, D.C.

"Everyone has found her work to be incredibly enlightening and inspiring. She has broadened our horizons in many ways. Even weeks after her presentation, students are still discussing ideas that she introduced."  Dr. Laura Renninger, Shepherd University School of Music, Sheperdstown, WV

"Roya is both an exceptional virtuoso soloist and the consummate collaborative musician.  The mysticism she brings to her music transcends the divides of culture and politics.  Indeed, the ease in which she makes her art understandable to uninitiated audiences and her ability to work with musicians of other cultures without sacrificing any of the essentials of the Persian tradition, make her truly indispensable in our troubled times." Dr. Victor Vicente, George Washington University School of Music, Washington, D.C.

"The music had a hypnotic quality to it, and I was sometimes listening as if in trance. I envy your students who learn to understand and appreciate such beautiful and mysterious layers of culture.” Dr. Peter Rollberg, Chair, Department of Romance, German, and Slavic Languages and Literatures, George Washington University

“Thank you again for the splendid performance at University of Mary Washington on Friday evening, 19 January. To send you a few words regarding my reaction as one coming utterly new to the santur and to your music: First, a rain of notes, a complexity of sound which seems greater than the striking of strings with two mallets could ever produce. Sometimes I hear a piano. Sometimes the sounds seem more guitar-like. The sound changes color as it evokes its own time--and space—with magical allure. Your own voice is wonderfully suited to your instrument. As an indication of this: I was aware, well into the music, of when you began to sing. I was never aware that the singing had ceased. Thank you for your artistry. Thank you for your gift.” Dr. David Cain, Professor of Religion, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

“Ms. Roya Bahrami is a master composer and hammer dulcimer player, who is doing some exciting work within the genre of traditional Persian music.” Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, Director, The Center for Persian Studies, University of Maryland

“Dear Roya, It was wonderful to see you and to hear your exhilarating performance last Sunday. As an Iranian I was proud to share the work of such a talented compatriot with my colleagues from around the world. Many thanks and with my warmest good wishes.” Mahnaz Afkhami, President and CEO, Women’s Learning Partnership, Washington DC

“Dear Ms. Bahrami: On behalf of the Foundation for Iranian Studies and the participants of the Resident Associate Program of the Smithsonian institution’s course on the arts of Timurid Persia I would like to thank you for your splendid performance on the Santur. Your fine rendition of Persian classical music made the reception following the final session a wonderful experience for all who were present. Wishing you great success in your future professional and artistic endeavors, I thank you for your support of the Foundation’s program and for your wonderful performance.” Mahnaz Afkhami, Executive Director, Foundation for Iranian Studies

Students

“Roya's concert was breathtaking. The music was so precise and deep with meaning, that I found it to be entrancing. The way she moved the lines to consist of a melody and a base line was shocking since it was only one instrument making the sounds of many. Her lecture helped clarify the ancestry behind such sounds. Her music taught me a lot about other cultures' music. I realized that even if you cannot understand the words being sung, you can still hear the meaning behind the tones. I saw a deeper side to European music through her recital. I honestly want to look up more music like hers. This was a great idea for a class and really helped establish a more concrete view on everything we've been learning about. Thanks!” Cait Hartney, George Washington University. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed Roya Bahrami's presentation today! She is an amazing musician. I could really feel the mysticism that she spoke about being tied with these songs. When she played, I felt as if put in a trance. The music sounded beautiful, and definitely conveyed so much more emotion live than on a cd. I also am really glad she could get a percussionist, because the drums definitely added to the performance. Her speech was also really good in that it especially underscored what we have been learning in class. ” Marissa Ciampi, George Washington University.

“I was completely entranced by Ms. Bahrami’s music. I was simply blown away with her mastery of the instrument. The range of emotions in her music captivated me. With one instrument she was able to create sounds it takes a whole orchestra to create. Her dedication and love for music was obvious, you could hear it when she spoke of music and see it when she played. It was, in some ways, how I imagined Ziryab. I learned more about the history of Persian music and how it traveled to Spain. Ms. Bahrami’s music really demonstrated to me the power of music. Her music brought out many different emotions in me that were otherwise hidden.” Renee Nichols, George Washington University.

“When she began to play, the music was unlike anything I had ever heard. The sound produced was very trance like and at the same time sort of mysterious in a way. This feeling was especially intensified when she read poetry while playing, as the tone she spoke in sent chills down your spine. What made the recital ever more fascinating though was the thought that people sat and listened to this instrument being played over 1,200 years ago. It was a great experience, which taught me that age does not matter when it comes to a tradition such as the one we engaged in.” Sam Taterka , George Washington University.

Press

"Dreamy, ethereal, capitalizing on Roya's novel Persian-Flamenco sound. World music beautifully executed, opulently delivered." 2011 Billboard Discoveries: Roya Bahrami & Ensemble, “I Am I Am Not”.

“The multicultural Roya Ensemble performed original music in which the mysticism of Persian melodies and poetry blend with Spanish flamenco.  The concert, held in conjunction with a conference, titled “Jews and Muslims in Islamic Lands: Conflict, Coexistence, Confluence” and sponsored by the Meyerhoff Center on the theme of interactions between Jews and Muslims through history, demonstrated the cultural roots of traditional, spiritual Persian music and its reach and influence outward”.  Summer 2008. University of Maryland Annual Newsletter

“In the space of a solo on the stage of the Portland Art Museum's Grand Ballroom, flamenco artist Carmela Greco distilled a power that comes only with age. "Intimo," which played Thursday night, was a welcome return to the pleasures of flamenco puro with soulful ballads by guitarist Richard Marlow, vocalist/percussionist El Yiyiand Persian composer Roya Bahrami on santur.” Monday, October 24, 2005 Catherine Thomas, The Oregonian

“Probe (Probe Music Productions (1999)) This release marks the debut of Iranian due Said Amintinat (guitar) and Roya Bahrami (santur). They present a sparkling and rhythmically sophisticated mix of new age, Persian, Indian, Gypsy, and jazz musics. The two play well off of each other, and get very capable help from Barry Dove (percussion), Humayun Farzad (vocals and harmonium), and Debu Nayak (tabla). While they are often in danger of drifting off into the ether of new-age spaciness, Nayak's tabla and Farzad's well-phrased vocals keep them on track. Fans of Oregon will find much to like here.” June/July 2000 PJL, Dirty Linen, The magazine of folk and world music

“Probe is Sunday morning music. Newspaper and brunch. Intricate instrumental compositions that draws from various ethnic cultures. The principles, composer Said Amintinat and santur arranger Roya Bahrami are both classically trained musicians originally from Iran. Collaborators Barry Dove, (U.S. born percussionist), Afghanistan native Humayun Farzad (vocals) and tabla player Debu Nayak, originally from India, round out the ensemble. By exploring the music of their homelands alone, this album spans the globe. But Probe goes further. The ensemble delves into Spanish gypsy traditional, American jazz, Gamelan music from Southeast Asia, Afro Cuban rhythms and Raga cycles from India. ‘Probe’ is like listening to a four act play, where the music is the star. The compositions move you through each act.” Fall 1999. AUDIO GLIPHIX music review magazine

“Roya Bahrami, who has played the santur for audiences around the world, performed a magnificent set of arranged pieces, many of which were her own compositions.” Fall/Winter 1997 SIGI, A Publication of The Sisterhood is Global Institute.

Fans (regarding CDs & performances)

" I'm very impressed & touched by your work.” OASIS CD Manufacturing's President Micah Solomon

“It is stunning. You have done a great job blending the music and poetry." Mahnaz Afkhami, CEO Women's Learning Partnership

“While the performance was billed as a Musical Pilgrimage to Iran, I thought it was a one-way ticket to heaven.” Peter H. Burris, Washington D.C.

"I have seldom heard Rumi or Hafiz applied more beautifully.” Amy Wilson, Visual Artist, Washington D.C.

“ It is a pleasure to see you succeed in reaching not just ours but the younger generation through the fusion that they need as they are born into it.”   Dr. Mina Marefat, Washington D.C.

"Great work. I really hope to see her in performance around here." G.R. Memar, San Fransisco, CA

"She is gifted she has the music in herself. I highly recommend this CD." Norah Lopez, McLain, VA

"I highly recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates great music. Roya is a gifted musician and her passion for music comes through in this album." Alaleh Ashtari, Wilmington, DE

"Listening to Roya play the santur is truly a sublime experience-soothing, mystical, exciting, entrancing. Roya achieves a seamless fusion of ancient and modern musical and even spiritual themes."  David Corry, Houston, TX

“I enjoyed her CD very much including Roya's beautiful voice.” Azita Amjadi, Rockville, MD

“I was truly moved by the music and songs on this CD. They show a unique and unusual combination of talent, passion, and spirituality.” Hossein Samiei, Washington, D.C.

Frank Klisch, Fairfax, VA: “My favorite is "Message". I can close my eyes and see the Flamenco dancers. Another favorite is "The Beloved"; it is mellow and very soothing. All of the songs and mix of styles are great, and the introduction "On The Path" is awesome.”  

Pezhman Akbari, Bronx, NY: “Thank you for inspiring our spirits with your talent. I keep playing your CD all the time-- it made me more serious to learn Santur.”

Shirin Z Tehrani Germantown, MD: “The music transports the listener to faraway lands. She is a gifted musician and I highly recommend this CD.”