West LA Times

Through a significant $5 million pledge by Haleh Emrani, UCLA is set to establish the Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music within the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This new center aims to expand upon the existing Iranian Music Program, which was initially established in 2018 following a gift from the Farhang Foundation.

Emrani's contribution honors her late husband, Ahmad Gramian, who played a pivotal role in promoting Iranian music at UCLA. "I am hoping for this gift to increase focus on the research and study of the music of Iran, while hosting public performances for the benefit of the community at large," Emrani expressed. She highlighted her husband's passion for Iranian music as one of the world's oldest traditions that remains vibrant today.

The initiative aligns with UCLA's broader commitment to Iranian studies, which includes notable centers such as the Pourdavoud Institute for ancient Iran studies and the Yarshater Center focusing on Iranian literary traditions.

Eileen Strempel, dean of the school of music, acknowledged Emrani's generosity: "We are grateful for this gift from Haleh Emrani and especially humbled to honor the memory of Ahmad Gramian." She emphasized that Haleh’s leadership will support future artists and scholars significantly.

The school's current Iranian Music Program includes a student-led ensemble and community concerts. A previous donation from Farhang Foundation in 2022 funded a postdoctoral fellowship filled by composer Shahab Paranj. Paranj will also provide artistic direction for the new center. He remarked on its importance: "Having a dedicated center for Iranian music will enable us to build on a great foundation for scholarship, teaching and performance at the school of music."

The center will collaborate with various academic resources across campus, including UCLA’s Ethnomusicology Archive. It aims to enhance both scholarly research and public programming. Los Angeles hosts over 400,000 Iranians, making it one of America's largest communities.

"Music creates an important link between past and present," said Emrani. She stressed that this center would continue fostering cultural vitality through diverse musical traditions.

Haleh Emrani holds a Ph.D. in history from UCLA and is CEO of SageDom. Her late husband was known for his philanthropic contributions towards arts education and culture.

"The Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music is a fitting legacy," stated Strempel. The center supports UCLA’s mission to value all musical cultures as essential expressions within an evolving global society.

An inaugural celebration is scheduled at Schoenberg Hall on October 20th featuring performances by prominent musicians like Kaykhosrou Pournazeri and Sahar Boroujerdi alongside speeches from key figures including donor Haleh Emrani herself.