Tombak & the Iranian Music

A workshop for percussion and melodic instruments with Pedram Khavarzamini

16–19 June 2026
at exploratorium berlin
Zossenerstr. 24, 10961 Berlin

Fill in the registration form (link) and send it with your registration request by e-mail to Roshanak Rafani. Please note the special cancellation policy mentioned in the form.

This four-day workshop offers an in-depth exploration of tombak playing, as well as rhythms in the Iranian music. Technique, repertoire, sound production and creative practice are closely interwoven.

Accompanied by Roshanak Rafani, Fatemeh Dehghani and Sara Hasti, three experienced musicians, Pedram Khavarzamini will not focus exclusively the tombak during the workshop. He also explicitly invites other musicians to participate with their own instruments.

Alongside as Persian rhythmic cycles, asymmetrical time signatures, composition and structured rhythmic phrases, the interplay between the instruments is also a key focus. Accompaniment, improvisation and musical interaction are central themes of this masterclass. The grand finale will be a joint concert featuring the team of instructors and workshop participants.

Further workshop content includes:

• Rhythmic interpretation within the Persian repertoire (goosheh)
• Ensemble playing and accompaniment in the context of Iranian music (Pish-daramad, Chaharmezrab, Reng, etc.)
• Improvisation based on melodic and rhythmic motifs

The master workshop is designed as a collaborative space between rhythm and melody, bringing together instrumentalists from diverse backgrounds. The language of instruction is English, with translation into French or German available.

Participants

• Percussionists (particularly tombak players)
• Melodic instruments (e.g. string instruments, wind instruments, etc.)
• Composers, provided they play an instrument

Participants should have intermediate to advanced skills and be familiar with the notation for their instrument. The ability to improvise and interact musically is important.

THE TEAM
Pedram Khavarzamini – Tombak
Few musicians play the tombak in this way: Pedram Khavarzamini (b. 1975, Tehran) is an internationally renowned tombak player who combines traditional Iranian rhythms with contemporary approaches. He studied with Kamyar Mohabbat and Bahman Rajabi and began his career performing in duo with Rajabi. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with artists such as Kayhan Kalhor, Ross Daly, and Ballaké Sissoko, and has been a member of various ensembles as well as the Labyrinth musical community. He regularly gives workshops and seminars worldwide, including at the University of Toronto and in Lausanne. His work expands the sonic possibilities of the tombak across diverse musical contexts.
www.pedramkhavarzamini.com

Roshanak Rafani – Percussion
Roshanak Rafani studied instrumental performance (percussion) at the Barenboim-Said Academy and specializes in Iranian percussion (daf, dayereh, tombak) as well as European percussion. Her artistic work moves between traditional Iranian music and contemporary performance formats. Since 2013, she has been active internationally as a soloist and ensemble musician. She has collaborated with ensembles such as the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and worked with conductors including Daniel Barenboim and Zubin Mehta. In addition to her artistic work, she is also active as an educator.
about Roshanak

Fatemeh Dehghani – Oud
Fatemeh Dehghani is an Iranian musician, oud player, and composer. She received her musical training in Tehran and completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in traditional Iranian music at the University of Tehran. She performs internationally as a soloist and ensemble musician. Alongside her concert activity, she composes and leads her own project, “The Spirit Afar.” She is currently pursuing a further master’s degree in music education in Germany.
www.fatemehdehghani.de

Sara Hasti – Kamancheh
Sara Hasti studied Iranian music (kamancheh) and ethnomusicology in Tehran and has been continuing her studies since 2022 in applied musicology, music education, and community music in Germany. As a musician, she has performed with various ensembles, including the Babylon Orchestra Berlin. She has developed her own interdisciplinary projects, including a piano–kamancheh duo, and has also contributed to album productions.
Sara on YouTube

Are you interested in taking part? If so, please email Roshanak to sign up. Feel free to send her the completed registration form (link) as well.