Shirin was born in Iran and begin singing at the age of six. She was invited to participate in children’s’ programs on national Radio and Television, and sang at social events and celebrations in schools and public festivals.

 

Shirin’s early passion for singing led her to train as a soprano in Iran, and gave her the opportunity to perform in more professional environments.

 

When a small window of freedom opened after the Revolution, her first performance was at the age of seventeen, when she sang the song “The Voice of the Revolution” at the Polytechnic University of Iran.

 

In 1981, Shirin was arrested with thousands of young people as a political activist and spent five years of her youth in prison. She believes that inner humming and singing were some of the ways she survived the long days and intolerable years of life in prison.

 

Her first melody was composed in her mind, based on the poem “C’est Une Femme” or “This is A Woman,” inside the prison walls.

 

In 1990, after escaping Iran and moving to Canada, Shirin was introduced to Iranian traditional music, training in Avaz and Radif. She became an integral part of the “Khavaran” and “Saba” ensembles, and they toured successfully throughout Canada. Her powerful performances enhanced many social, cultural and charity events.

 

In 2001, Shirin was invited to participate in the National Film Board’s documentary “The Three That Remember.” She was interviewed and sang the song “Payees Amad (The Autumn Is Coming”). This song was her first experience with Iranian pop music.

 

When the war in Afghanistan broke out in 2003, Shirin was invited to be a guest soloist with the French orchestra, The Mahapooran Ensemble. The group spoke out against the war in numerous concerts, with a combination of Persian poetry, Khathakali dance and modern percussion.

 

In 2005, as an Iranian singer amongst performers from all over the globe, Shirin was invited to perform in a huge benefit concert called “Parlons Genocide” or “Talk about Genocide.’’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lousnak • Elahe Machouf • Red Names • Shirin • Ms.sun • Looli • Hossein Afsahi • Saeed Yousef • Danielle Ouanes

Hassan Pooya • Soudabeh Ardavan • Setareh Abbasi • Shohreh Kia • Mahbubeh • Payam Akhavan • Shahrzad Mojab

Béatrice Vaugrante • Masoud Raouf • Mostafa Henaway • Stephan Kazemi • Saiid Ismati • Zari Daknema • Antigone

Marie Boti • Felicitas Treue • Bahram Ghadimi • Shokoufe Sakhi • Iraj Mesdaghi • Reza Gahfari • Ezat Mossallanejed