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Mastaneh Nazarian (composer, arranger, guitarist)
Mastaneh Nazarian graduated in 1995 with a BA in Professional Music (Guitar and Composition) from Berklee College of Music. She studied composition and orchestration with Gerard Brophy and Electro-acoustic composition with Rodolphe Blois at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where she earned a Masters of Music degree in Composition in 2001.
Mastaneh has been performing as a guitarist leading her own groups since 1992. Her groups work on a collaborative structure that feature Mastaneh's compositions and arrangements. Her pieces for small improvising ensemble are based on jazz principles and capture a unique and personal narrative style. As a songwriter, she aims to compose both music and words as a united whole, often incorporating improvisation.
Since 1998 Mastaneh has worked as a freelance audio editor, film and theatre composer and project organizer in addition to her performance and teaching activities. In 1999 one of Mastaneh's compositions was performed at the International Guitar Festival in Darwin. In 2000 she was one of 18 composers who were invited to the Tufts University Talloire International Composers Conference. She has composed for various chamber settings from wind quintet to large mixed ensembles.
As an electronic music artist/sound designer she has worked with theatre directors, choreographers, and lighting designers. In 2001 Mastaneh composed and produced music for two short films that were featured at various venues in the Brisbane area. In 2002 she was one of the few sound artists nationwide to receive a commission from the Australian Broadcasting Company's Listening Room program, a project celebrating ABC's 70th year. As a project organizer she launched kafka Pony, a multi-stylistic composers collective that explores improvisation and composition through the looking glass of surrealist fables. Their first full length CD will be released in late 2004
Theatre Credits:
Miss Julie (by Strindbergh): QUT Theatre production (multi-media project)
Be-long: (by Tlalit Sambira): QUT Theatre production (multi-media project)
Film Credits:
Invitation: Short film
The Boat: Short film
Other Awards:
ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Competition finalist (2002)
Queensland Arts grant recipient (2001)
Talloire Composers Festival invitee from Australia (1999)
Darwin International Guitar Festival (composers workshop participant) (1999)
Community Aid Abroad volunteer performer (1997-98
Berklee College of Music instrumental achievement awards (1992-93)
Selected compositions:
Time circles, For orchestra 2003
Love speak for jazz ensemble and female vocalist 2001
Performed at 2001 Sightlines concert
From without, For bass recorder and tape 2001
Performed by Barnaby Ralph
Let the waters settle, for orchestra, 2001
Scattering stars like dust, for large ensemble, percussion and electric bass, 2000
Performed by Jonathan Dimond and Conservatorium Chamber Ensemble
Responses, for violin and viola
Performed by Topology at ABC Studio, 2000
Rain Down, for mixed choir
Performed by Access Arts Community Choir, 2000
Duo for violin and viola
Performed at Queensland Conservatorium Recital Hall, 1999
The set table, for saxophone quartet, percussion and guitar
Performed at Pinnacles Festival, 1998
Free appetisers (you bring), for flute, cello and two guitars
Performed at Darwin International Guitar Festival, 1999
Mastaneh has been performing as a guitarist leading her own groups since 1992. Her groups work on a collaborative structure that feature Mastaneh's compositions and arrangements. Her pieces for small improvising ensemble are based on jazz principles and capture a unique and personal narrative style. As a songwriter, she aims to compose both music and words as a united whole, often incorporating improvisation.
Since 1998 Mastaneh has worked as a freelance audio editor, film and theatre composer and project organizer in addition to her performance and teaching activities. In 1999 one of Mastaneh's compositions was performed at the International Guitar Festival in Darwin. In 2000 she was one of 18 composers who were invited to the Tufts University Talloire International Composers Conference. She has composed for various chamber settings from wind quintet to large mixed ensembles.
As an electronic music artist/sound designer she has worked with theatre directors, choreographers, and lighting designers. In 2001 Mastaneh composed and produced music for two short films that were featured at various venues in the Brisbane area. In 2002 she was one of the few sound artists nationwide to receive a commission from the Australian Broadcasting Company's Listening Room program, a project celebrating ABC's 70th year. As a project organizer she launched kafka Pony, a multi-stylistic composers collective that explores improvisation and composition through the looking glass of surrealist fables. Their first full length CD will be released in late 2004
Theatre Credits:
Miss Julie (by Strindbergh): QUT Theatre production (multi-media project)
Be-long: (by Tlalit Sambira): QUT Theatre production (multi-media project)
Film Credits:
Invitation: Short film
The Boat: Short film
Other Awards:
ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Competition finalist (2002)
Queensland Arts grant recipient (2001)
Talloire Composers Festival invitee from Australia (1999)
Darwin International Guitar Festival (composers workshop participant) (1999)
Community Aid Abroad volunteer performer (1997-98
Berklee College of Music instrumental achievement awards (1992-93)
Selected compositions:
Time circles, For orchestra 2003
Love speak for jazz ensemble and female vocalist 2001
Performed at 2001 Sightlines concert
From without, For bass recorder and tape 2001
Performed by Barnaby Ralph
Let the waters settle, for orchestra, 2001
Scattering stars like dust, for large ensemble, percussion and electric bass, 2000
Performed by Jonathan Dimond and Conservatorium Chamber Ensemble
Responses, for violin and viola
Performed by Topology at ABC Studio, 2000
Rain Down, for mixed choir
Performed by Access Arts Community Choir, 2000
Duo for violin and viola
Performed at Queensland Conservatorium Recital Hall, 1999
The set table, for saxophone quartet, percussion and guitar
Performed at Pinnacles Festival, 1998
Free appetisers (you bring), for flute, cello and two guitars
Performed at Darwin International Guitar Festival, 1999
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