Santoor player · Composer · Educator · Helsinki
Mehrnoosh Zolfaghari is an Iranian musician, composer, and santoor player based in Helsinki, Finland. Rooted in Persian classical music and trained in the tradition of the radif, she bridges centuries-old tradition with the contemporary, jazz, experimental world on stage, in the classroom, and behind the microphone — bringing its rich heritage into dialogue with contemporary musical practices, intercultural collaboration, and artistic research.
Upcoming Concerts
19 December 2026 — Awakening Orchestra · Svenska Teatern, Helsinki
Watch
Teaching
Santoor Lessons
Private lessons in Persian classical santoor for all levels, online and in Helsinki.
Masterclasses
Workshops in Persian music, improvisation, and intercultural practice for ensembles and institutions.
Uncovering Music ID — Podcast
A podcast about music identity, cultural roots, and the stories behind sound. Produced and hosted by Mehrnoosh in collaboration with Genelec.
About the Santoor
The santoor is one of the oldest hammered string instruments in the world, with roots reaching back over 3,000 years in Persia. Played with delicate wooden mallets, it produces a resonant, shimmering sound at the heart of Persian classical music. In Mehrnoosh’s hands, the santoor becomes a bridge — between ancient tradition and contemporary expression, between Iran and Finland, between the personal and the universal.