Hamed Nikpay

Born in Iran in 1977, Hamed learned to sing at the age of seven, encouraged by his mother who loved Persian music and poetry. At nine, he studied Tar & Setar, under the tutorship of some of the masters of classical Persian music such as Hooshang Zareef, Zeydolah Tolouee, Attaolah Jangook, Farokh Mazharee, and Daryoush Pirniakan. By the time he was twenty; he could play five instruments expertly, adding Tanboor, Oud and Daf to his existing repertoire.

His interest in classical Persian music coupled with his passion to write his own music, motivated him to learn fundamentals of music composition from such music Masters as Vartan Sahakian, and Farhad Fakhredeanee. He received top honors for improvisation for Setar and vocal in the All Iranian Students Music Festival held in Tehran in 2002.
After receiving a B.A. degree in music composition, he began writing his own music and performing in concerts as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, with some of the highly acclaimed music ensembles before wide audiences in Iran, Europe and Asia. He has recorded two albums, performing as a fusion vocalist, with Pedram Derakhshani & Rumi ensemble, and Emad Bonakdar ensemble, singing among many, some of his own songs. He has also recorded as a vocalist, with an ensemble of selective members of Tehran Symphony Orchestra pieces composed and directed by Majid Derakhshani, one of Iran's greatest contemporary music composers.

Hamed has also written music scores and performed solo instruments in several motion pictures made by some of the most distinguished directors of the Iranian cinema. His most recent work was the hit theme song for the widely broadcasted TV series 'Ahooyeh Mahe Nohom', composed by Ramin Behna, one of Iran's best cinematic music composers.

Since his arrival in U.S., Hamed has performed in numerous concerts before enthusiastic audiences throughout the U.S. His mesmerizing voice has earned him the reputation of being 'One of Iran's Best Young Vocalists' among both the American and the Iranian audiences. He currently resides in Palo Alto, California, where he teaches, writes and records music.