LOS ANGELES, CA.- The Iranian-American community in Los Angeles, one of the largest concentrations of Iranian expatriates outside of Iran, has long awaited the return of Mahdieh Mohammadkhani, a globally acclaimed Iranian classical singer whose mesmerizing voice has captivated audiences across Europe, North America, Australia, and Iran.

An advocate for women’s rights, Mahdieh was a vocal supporter of the late Mahsa Amini, whose tragic death sparked protests across the globe. As a result, Mahdieh was forced into exile and relocated to Dubai. In 2022, her passport was confiscated, preventing her from traveling, and for years, she was silenced by political restrictions, as women in Iran are not allowed to sing publicly. However, after the lifting of her travel ban in 2023, she was finally able to leave Iran and settle in Dubai, where she currently resides.


Mahdieh Mohammadkhani

Now, Mahdieh will return to the stage for a monumental concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall, marking her first performance in the U.S. in over a decade. The concert, taking place on March 9th at 6 p.m., is part of Farhang Foundation's annual Nowruz Concert, celebrating the Iranian New Year. This highly anticipated event promises to be a stirring evening of traditional Iranian classical music, with modern, global influences.


Cameron Shahbazi by Aleksandra Modrzejewska.

Joining Mahdieh on stage will be countertenor Cameron Shahbazi who will make his Southern California debut. Both Mahdieh and Shahbazi are passionate advocates for women’s rights and human rights in Iran. Shahbazi’s work, Woman.Life.Freedom., which received the Opus Klassik Award in 2023 for "Innovative Concert of the Year," was performed in a benefit concert at Oper Frankfurt. Together, they will be accompanied by the Iranshahr Orchestra, an ensemble dedicated to preserving and promoting Iranian music by bridging the gap between ancient Iranian music and classical Western orchestration.

The timing of this concert is particularly poignant, as it coincides with Nowruz, which marks the vernal equinox—a universal symbol of rebirth and renewal. Nowruz, meaning "new day," signals the arrival of spring and is celebrated by over 300 million people around the world.

Mahdieh’s return to the stage is a powerful statement of perseverance and resilience--- her voice, once silenced by political restrictions, will once again soar.

Farhang Foundation’s 15th Annual Celebration of Nowruz will begin with a free family-friendly festival before the concert, welcoming spring with one of the largest Nowruz celebrations in the world.

Details can be found below.

UCLA’s Dickson Court and Royce Hall
Nowruz Celebration info: Farhang.org/NowruzLA

The Nowruz Family Daylong Festival
Free and open to the public.
Sunday, March 9th, 12 to 5 p.m

The Nowruz Concert at 6 p.m. at Royce Hall, UCLA,
Tickets can be found here.