Music Workshop with Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat: Songs of Defiance, Hope and Sisterhood

Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat are Iranian vocalists and composers whose music is rooted in Persian classical traditions while embracing innovation and intercultural dialogue. For over three decades, they have created a distinctive vocal expression that blends poetry, tradition, and contemporary sounds. Despite the ban on women’s solo singing in Iran since 1979, they have continued to sing with courage, carrying their voices beyond borders and touching audiences worldwide.

In this workshop and artist talk, Mahsa and Marjan share their personal journeys as women singers from Iran, where the solo female voice was banned after the 1979 revolution. They reflect on how they defied silence, continued creating, and carried their songs across borders first within Iran and later in the wider world. Through stories and music, they explore the power of song as an act of resistance, resilience, and sisterhood.

The gathering will be highly interactive, with space for dialogue and a Q&A. Participants will also be invited to learn a Persian song, creating a shared experience of connection through voice. All are welcome, no prior musical experience needed.