Musician in Residence, 2024-2025

Mehrnam Rastegari is a well-established Persian musician, award-winning film score composer, singer, violinist, and master Kamancheh player. She has been featured in some of the most prestigious music festivals worldwide, including GlobalFest in NYC, USA, Secret Planet in NYC, USA, Fajr International Music Festival in Tehran, Iran, the WOMEX (World Music Expo) in Tampere, Finland, Ragas Live Festival in NYC, USA, Montana Folk Festival in Butte, USA, the International Competition named after Tlep Aspantaiuly in Astana, Kazakhstan, and numerous concerts across The United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, Iran, and more.

Rastegari is an extraordinary Kamancheh performer, acclaimed by some of the finest Kamancheh artists and instructors globally, who have certified her as a Master Kamancheh player. She is a GMW (Global Musicians Workshop) alumna and musical artist for the “World Music Institute,” contributing to their multiple projects, including music performances, WMI Plus interviews, and podcasts. She was a featured guest speaker at the TEDx event “Oasis: Existence in Nothingness.” Furthermore, she has composed for over 10 feature films, theaters, and award-winning short films. Notably, “Dispirited” earned her the “Best Original Score” award from the Melbourne City Independent Film Awards (MCIFA), and she received a nomination for the original score in the Japan Kadoma Festival for the film “Rotten.” “A Poetess” also secured the “Best Persian Film” award at WMIFF, USA.

Rastegari is a valued member of the NYAO (New York Arabic Orchestra) and has had the privilege of performing at the United Nations Headquarters. She also contributed as a violin player to recording the music track “Mirage” for “Assassin’s Creed.” Rastegari is the founder of “Mehrnam Rastegari Traditional Persian Band” in New York City, where she continues to perform. She has also started a Rock Middle Eastern band named “Chogan”, where she brings her originals, also some rearranged Middle Eastern folk music, and has garnered success.

Mehrnam is receiving professional development support through the Joe’s Pub Working Group at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater during her NYCASHRP placement.