Maryam Farshadfar is a PhD candidate in ethnomusicology at University of Montreal. Her dissertation ” The practice of Persian piano from 1879 to 1979″ is being funded by a 2014-15 Bourse des Etudes Superieures. She holds her Master’ s degree in piano performance and has performed in solo recitals and with chamber ensembles in U.S., Europe and Middle East. She enjoys an active career as a piano performer, scholar, and teacher. She is currently a music lecturer in San Jose college.