Mercedeh Gholami

Mercedeh Gholami, is an Iranian composer and Setar player born and raised in Tehran. She first encountered music at the age of nine, playing Setar (an Iranian chordophone played by plucking the strings with a finger) and learning the fundamentals of Iranian music with Mohammad-Reza Bayat. In 2012, she entered Tehran University of Art, College of Music, and received her bachelor’s degree in composition with the final project “Passacaglia for Orchestra” in 2016. She has studied composition with Karen Keyhani and Mohammad Reza Tafazzoli, as well as participating in the International Summer Academy of mdw (University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna) under the supervision of Yann Robin.
Inspired by Iranian classical music, ingrained in her since childhood, and Contemporary music, she tries to make a connection between the two to achieve her style. Mercedeh’s pieces have been performed in isa Festival of mdw, 2nd Tehran International Contemporary Music Festival, 10th NED Ensemble Festival, 1st Alfred Schnittke International Composers’ Forum, etc.