Ashkan Nazari

Ashkan is a Kurdish-Iranian musician, researcher, and ethnomusicologist currently pursuing a PhD at Stanford University. He holds a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Tehran, as well as a master's degree in ethnomusicology from Tehran University of Art. A professional Setar and Tar player, Ashkan's research focuses on Kurdish classical and folk music, Iranian classical music, and the intersection of music with critical themes such as genocide, war, intellectual movements, and Kurdish identity. He is also interested in the development of ethnographic studies on the relationship between maqam as a cultural-musical concept and issues of ethnicity and colonialism. Ashkan has taught at the University of Kurdistan and the University of Art and Culture in Kermanshah and Sanandaj. He also founded and conducted the first philharmonic orchestra in his hometown of Paveh, contributing significantly to the musical heritage of his community.

Currently teaching