AMIR ZAHERI completed advanced studies in music at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and undergraduate studies in music at Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green. At Georgia State, Zaheri studied music composition with Nickitas J. Demos. At Western Kentucky University, Zaheri studied music composition with Michael Kallstrom, choral methods, choral materials and conducting with Ronnie Oliver Jr., organ performance with Andrew Risinger, and voice performance with Scott Root, Michael Sokol, and Nancy Cron. ln addition to his formal education, Zaheri has participated in significant master class studies and lectures with Robert Spano, Alvin Singleton, Paul Moravec, Paul Elwood, the Bang-on-a-Can New Music Ensemble, and the Eighth Blackbird New Music Ensemble.

Active in the field of composition, Zaheri's music has been performed at public and private schools, universities, churches, and in civic ensembles throughout the U.S., and in Europe. Zaheri has recently received noteworthy commissions from: Westminster Choir College, for their Spring 2008 and Spring 2009 Chapel Choir concert events; the Atlanta lnterfaith AIDS Network, for their 2005 City-Wide World AIDS Day Requiem service; The Wisconsin Chamber Chorus, for their 2005-2006 concert season; Manhattan Concert Productions, for their 2005 Carnegie Hall National Festival Choir performance series; the Young Women's Chorus of Kentucky, for their 2004 Kentucky Music Educators' Association Convention performance, as well as their 2003 performance at the Shenandoah Conservatory Music Educators National Conference (SCMENC), in Savannah, Georgia; Georgia State University's Symphonic Wind Ensemble, for their 2002-2003 concert season; and The University of Georgia, for their 2002-2003 choral/orchestral concert season. Zaheri has been selected as a featured or guest composer by: the Society of Composers, Incorporated, the neoPhonia New Music Ensemble, Emory University's Composer to Composer new music reading series, the lmpromptu Chamber Choir of Atlanta, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, and was first prize winner of the 2000-2001 Kentucky Music Educators Association Annual Collegiate Composition Competition.

Previously, Zaheri has served as composer-in-residence for: Peachtree Road United Methodist Church of Atlanta, the Atlanta Music in Education Seminar Consortium, in conjunction with the New England Conservatory and in association with Centennial Place Elementary School of Atlanta; the Young Women's Chorus of Kentucky; and the KYSings! touring chorus.

“I have been fortunate to work with Amir for the past five years. His music has always been well-received by the performers and audiences alike. His compositions portray a beautiful marriage of text and music – incredibly gratifying! The Men of the Westminster Chapel Choir absolutely loved working on his ‘The King of Love My Shepherd Is.’ The Carnegie Hall premiere of his ‘Behold, How Good and Pleasant’ received an enthusiastic ovation. Other works by Mr. Zaheri have received similar responses; I have never been disappointed, nor have our audiences. This composer has a stunning future ahead of him!”
-Ronnie Oliver, Jr., Conducting Faculty at Westminster Choir College & Executive Director of Manhattan Concert Productions

An accomplished organist, Zaheri has been heard in performances throughout the United States, England, and Scotland. In addition, Zaheri is very active and has extensive experience serving as a professional organist and pianist for numerous vocal and instrumental studios, festival choral and orchestral ensembles, clinics and conventions, as well as in college and university settings. With numerous years of eclectic music ministry experience, Zaheri currently serves as Head Organist and Director of Music and Worship Arts at Embry Hills United Methodist Church, in Atlanta. Embry Hills prides itself at being “an inclusive community of faith,” and strives to promote diversity, radical hospitality, and progressive teaching. Under Zaheri’s leadership, the Music and Worship Arts program seeks to mirror the greater church’s goals and missions and does so through excellence in eclectic musical traditions, spoken word, visual art, and movement. Immediately prior to his accepting this post, Zaheri was on the music and fine arts staff at the distinguished Peachtree Road United Methodist Church of Atlanta, which was hailed by USA Today as one of the “10 great places to be enthralled by heavenly music.”