Mani Bolouri is a composer and virtuoso player of the kamancheh (spiked fiddle) and gheychak (bowed fiddle). Mr. Bolouri began his musical studies at the age of ten under the guidance of his grandfather who was an ashough (a popular, traveling musician) and who taught him Armenian folk music. He has also studied with many masters learning both Persian classical and Western classical music and received a M.A. in composition from Tehran Art University. In 1994, Mr. Bolouri was invited to work in the National Radio and Television Orchestra of Iran where he performed for ten years as a composer and performer. After moving to the U.S. in 2004, he began to perform extensively throughout the world. Mr. Bolouri currently lives in Los Angeles and teaches Armenian folk music.