Competitor: Kiana Ghalambor
Section: JUNIOR ARTIST, XI category, 2006
Teacher: Gita Danaie
Institution, place and country: Private lessons
State/City: Iran, Tehran
Program:
1. F.J.Haydn - Piano Sonata HOB No. 5 in A Major
2. M.Moszkowski - Etude Op. 72 No. 2 in g Major

Kiana Ghalambor
Kiana was born on December 11, 2006, in Tehran, Iran. She is the first child of her family. At the age of 2, her family decided to submit her to an early childhood music program ((Orff music education)) at Pars Music Institute. This institute is one of Iran's most famous and professional private music education centers.
Until 2011 she finished her Orff study, and to continue her journey, she chose Santoor as her first study instrument. Santoor is the most challenging traditional instrument in Iran to master. At the age of 6, Kiana showed a spectacular talent for music but more surprising was that she showed so much perseverance as a child. She would sit at her table and practice Santoor for 8 hours every day. That is why after one year of music education, her performance at the stage started both as a solo player and group player. Since then, she has shown confidence in playing for an audience.
As she had more performance opportunities until the end of 2011, one of the Tombaq masters at the Pars institution recognized Kiana. He suggested that Kiana start learning Tombaq to understand music rhythm better and enhance her grasp of Santoor. Since 2011 Kiana has continued her santoor education and completed Tombaq education. Her intelligence and hard work led to finishing her music levels 2-3 years sooner than her music teachers anticipated. Since 2015 she has started learning piano. Her piano teachers were surprised that a kid who has been playing traditional instruments for many years could make such a good connection with a classical music instrument! Like before, she has done a great job learning and performing piano. Finally, in 2017 another music teacher at Pars institute suggested that Kiana learn about Qanun. Since Kiana has always been passionate about music, she agreed to take the chance. She has shined bright with this Iranian traditional music instrument too.
Since Kiana was seven years old, she has had more than 200 performances. Kiana is a santoor and qanun player at two famous orchestras in Iran. She has won countless national awards both as a solo and group player. Her prize on IMKA is her first time winning an international competition.
Kiana has always amazed her teachers, both her music teachers and her regular teachers at school. She is known for her hard work, and no matter how complex a challenge is, she would go on anyway. Her life has always been about music. She is an excellent student at school and has participated in school competitions many times. She has won the prize for storytelling several times.

Instagram: kiana.ghalambor