Members
Maziar Heidari, Music Director
Saman Shahi, Executive Director
Maziar Heidari, Music Director
Canadian conductor, composer, educator and pianist Maziar Heidari led a flourishing musical career in Iran for over a decade before moving to Toronto in 2009. Maziar obtained a MMus in Conducting from the University of Toronto and has since held several conducting positions, including with Orchestra Toronto, Hart House Orchestra, and the
Canadian conductor, composer, educator and pianist Maziar Heidari led a flourishing musical career in Iran for over a decade before moving to Toronto in 2009. Maziar obtained a MMus in Conducting from the University of Toronto and has since held several conducting positions, including with Orchestra Toronto, Hart House Orchestra, and the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In 2017 alone, his work as Music Director of ICOT earned him an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award and a position as a juror for the JUNO Awards. An active freelance educator for students of all levels, Maziar founded Heidari Music School, works as a member of the college of examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music, and is a member of several music teacher associations. Maziar is an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre and a professional member of SOCAN. www.heidarimusic.com
Keyan Emami, Artistic Director
Saman Shahi, Executive Director
Maziar Heidari, Music Director
Keyan Emami is an award-winning composer and educator. Emami’s music is known for its contemporary tonal language and innovative sonic texture, frequently inspired by Persian music and art heritage. His works have been commissioned, performed, and recorded all over the world by many different organizations, festivals, and orchestras such
Keyan Emami is an award-winning composer and educator. Emami’s music is known for its contemporary tonal language and innovative sonic texture, frequently inspired by Persian music and art heritage. His works have been commissioned, performed, and recorded all over the world by many different organizations, festivals, and orchestras such as National Ballet of Canada, What Next Festival of New Music, Nuit Blanche Toronto, Aga Khan Museum, Tirgan Festival, Canadian Music Centre, Ton Beau String Quartet, Ladom Ensemble, Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Toronto. Emami is the artistic director, co-founder, and one of the composers of ICOT. He is also the director of Key Music Studio. Based in Toronto, Emami holds a doctorate in composition from the University of Toronto. www.keyan.ca
Saman Shahi, Executive Director
Saman Shahi, Executive Director
Saman Shahi, Executive Director
Saman Shahi is an award-winning and published composer, pianist, conductor and educator based in Toronto. His compositions have been performed around the globe and include six orchestral works, three operas, two ballets works, and many works for choral, vocal and chamber forces. Saman holds a master's degree in composition from the Univer
Saman Shahi is an award-winning and published composer, pianist, conductor and educator based in Toronto. His compositions have been performed around the globe and include six orchestral works, three operas, two ballets works, and many works for choral, vocal and chamber forces. Saman holds a master's degree in composition from the University of Toronto, is an affiliate Member of the Canadian League of Composers, Associate Composer at the Canadian Music Centre as well as a SOCAN member. He is a co-founder and the Executive Director at ICOT, Music Director at the Peterborough Concert band, and a composer and teaching artist with the Canadian Opera Company. In 2020 Saman's debut composition album "Breathing in the Shadows" was recorded and released by Leaf Music. His second album, “Microlocking” was released by People|Places|Records in 2021. www.samanshahimusi.com