Mohammad Amini

Roots & Education

Born in Iran, Mohammad began his formal musical education at the Isfahan Conservatory of Music before earning both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Composition from the University of Art in Tehran. His studies provided a strong foundation in Western composition, harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, and music analysis while deepening his understanding of Persian classical music, modal systems, improvisation, and traditional performance practice. This dual musical heritage continues to shape his artistic voice.

Teaching & Mentorship

Before immigrating to Canada, Mohammad spent more than a decade teaching composition, music theory, ear training, and Persian classical music at conservatories, universities, and specialized music schools. Alongside his academic work, he served as a music advisor and artistic leader, mentoring emerging musicians and contributing to educational and artistic initiatives. His years as an educator reinforced his belief that music is both a creative discipline and a powerful means of cultural dialogue.

Performance on Kamanche

As a professional Kamancheh performer, Mohammad has appeared in concerts and collaborative projects across Iran, Europe, and Canada. His experience as both performer and composer has given him a deep understanding of instrumental expression and has inspired him to expand the role of Persian instruments within contemporary concert music. Rather than treating musical traditions as separate worlds, his work seeks to create an authentic conversation between them, allowing each tradition to retain its identity while contributing to a unified artistic vision.

Canada, VICO & CMC

Since making Canada his home, Mohammad has become an active member of the country's intercultural music community. He has performed with the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra (VICO) since 2018 and is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre (CMC). These collaborations have strengthened his commitment to creating music that reflects Canada's cultural diversity while fostering meaningful artistic exchange.

Catalogue & New Works

Mohammad's compositions span chamber music, orchestral works, film scores, and intercultural collaborations. His catalogue includes Red Like Fire, Spring Is Coming, Sunflower, Iran, From Afar, Velvet Dream for IRAN, The Soul – Bird of Paradise, Fantasy Suite for Intercultural Orchestra, Decampment, and the score for the short film Who Am I. He is currently developing new projects that continue to expand the possibilities of intercultural composition, including a major work for kamancheh, harp, and string orchestra, inspired by the expressive dialogue between Persian and Western musical traditions.

Research

Research is an essential part of Mohammad's creative practice. His interests include contemporary composition, orchestration, counterpoint, Persian musical heritage, and intercultural aesthetics. Through continual study and experimentation, he seeks to discover new ways of integrating Persian musical expression into contemporary classical forms while remaining respectful of both traditions.

Philosophy

At the heart of Mohammad's work is a belief that music has the power to connect people across cultures, languages, and histories. Every composition begins with a story, an emotion, or a question, and develops into a musical journey that invites performers and audiences to experience unfamiliar perspectives through sound.

Whether writing for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, orchestra, film, or interdisciplinary performance, he is driven by a desire to create music that is emotionally honest, artistically refined, and culturally meaningful.

Today

Today, Mohammad continues to compose, perform, research, and collaborate with musicians from diverse backgrounds, contributing to Canada's vibrant contemporary music scene while sharing the beauty and expressive depth of Persian musical traditions with audiences around the world. His work reflects an ongoing commitment to artistic excellence, intercultural dialogue, and the belief that music can serve as a bridge between people, traditions, and ideas.