Mana
PianoHarp
About Mana
Mana Azimi began her musical journey at age seven, inspired by her mother’s piano teaching in Tehran, Iran. After moving to the United States, Mana pursued both piano and harp, excelling in competitions such as the Dobson Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, the Yamaha Young Artist Piano Competition, and the East Valley Music Teachers’ Association Piano Competition. She later focused on harp, earning a Bachelor of Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Music from the University of Southern California (USC), and has just received a Graduate Certificate in Early Music from USC, where she studied Baroque triple harp under Maxine Eilander.
Mana has a passion for both performing and teaching. Her performances span venues like the Greystone Mansion and Laguna Art Museum with Duo Tinkerhess, and her ensemble work includes collaborations with Musica Transalpina, Musica Angelica, and Ensemble Flame. She has recorded albums such as Galant Music for Cello and Harp and O Mother What Shall I Do: Scottish Fiddle Tunes.
As an instructor, Mana has taught piano, as well as harp. She enjoys teaching students of all ages, fostering a positive and encouraging environment that inspires creativity and growth. Her YouTube channel showcases her love for music, featuring performances from classical to jazz and pop arrangements on both harp and piano.
Q&A with Mana
Which musician would you like to play with?
Mara Galassi
Which musician has influenced you the most?
Joe Hisaishi
What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?
I can help you find ways to practice more efficiently and progress faster, breaking down the music, finding patterns, and focusing on technical aspects of performance.
How did you learn to play your instrument?
I started the piano with my mom, and learned the harp when I was in high school through Mesa Public Schools Harp Program.
What equipment do you play on today?
Pedal harp by Salvi, Triple harp, Harpsichord by Curtis Berak, Casio Electric Keyboard.
Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?
Paying attention to how relaxed my body is and taking breaks to avoid physical injuries has been an important aspect in my practicing. I am also patient when it comes to learning things slowly and diligently.
What does your instrument have that others don't?
The harp is unique in many ways, but one of its most fun features is the glissando that is especially best achieved with the pedal harp. It adds extra magic to the music!
How do you handle children?
I am very patient with children and use method books that are fun and enjoyable for them. I often like to incorporate singing and story telling in lessons. But more importantly I try to guide their parents as they play a key role in helping with their children's practicing outside of the lessons.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
The Sibelius Academy recently had an exchange program for USC musicians who were participating in the Early Music Ensemble. We went to Finland for a week and performed Henry Purcell's opera, King Arthur, at the house of nobility in Helsinki.
What was the biggest stage you played on?
Disney Hall
Which record would you take with you to the desert island?
Vivaldi's cello sonatas
Besides music, what else is important in your life?
Going out to nature, Cooking good food, spending time with family and friends.
Music style(s)
BaroqueMedievalClassicalRomanticContemporarypop.
Level(s) Comfortable Teaching
Beginner to Advanced
What languages can you teach in?
PersianEnglish
Videos
Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations
bands: Duo Remanence, Flame. Projects: Recorded Galant Music for Cello and Harp: Pergolesi to Saint-Saëns, Francesco Barsanti and James Oswald. O Mother What Shall I Do: Scottish Fiddle Tunes. Performances: Music at the Mansion at Gray Stone in Beverly Hills.
Other Music-related work / goals
Doing more recording projects and collaborating with other musicians and artists in LA
Accolades
Winner of the Anne Adams Harp competition, Winner of Music at the Mansion series. Recipient of Colburn foundation scholarship.
Personal Interests
Arranging music, Learning about history, Learning French