Lily Afshar, an Iranian Artist and Guitar Virtuoso, Passed Away at 63 After a Brief Illness

Publish date: 2024-05-09

The music world mourns its talented member, Lily Afshar.

Lily Afshar, an Iranian artist, classical guitarist, and educationist, died after a brief illness at 63. She was a gifted musician who demonstrated her musical prowess in a wide variety of music, including Persian music, classical pieces, and her compositions and arrangements. She was the first woman in the world to earn a doctorate in guitar.

Who was Lily Afshar?

Lily Afshar was an Iranian artist. She was a guitar virtuoso who blended her formal training in the USA and Europe with her rich Persian cultural heritage and created music that dazzled listeners across the globe. She was one of the twelve international guitarists to learn under Andres Segovia at the University of California. Segovia once said she would become a famous musician, and she did. She was the first woman in the world to earn a Doctoral Degree in Classical Guitar.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from The Boston Conservatory and her Master of Music at The New England Conservatory and went to study at Florida State University to earn her degree of Doctor of Music in guitar performance.

She delivered dazzling performances across the globe, from the “London Wigmore Hall” to the “Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts”. She performed at the Tirgan Festival 2017. Her onstage performances have been described by the Washington Post as “remarkable” and “impeccable.” She won the coveted Orville H. Gibson Award for her contribution to classical guitar.

She gave back to society and taught at several colleges, notably the University of Memphis. She trained the young artist as a guitar professor. She also performed at small venues and helped with fund-raising efforts for the Memphis Youth Symphony. She donated her talent for the betterment of the society.

What happened to Lily Afshar?

The details of her death have not been made public. She died after battling illness at 63, leaving the music world in a state of deep mourning. Her untimely death occurred just after the release of her most recent piece in Iran. All those who had the privilege to know her will deeply feel her absence.

Obituary and funeral

Her funeral will be held at Tonekabon, in the northern Iranian province of Mazandaran, on October 25, 2023. The world will bid a final farewell to this talented musical wonder.

Source:  uptospeedjournalism.com

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