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Hochstein String Faculty - Armeen Ghafourpour

Instrument/Department: Double Bass

Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2019

 

Armeen Ghafourpour is a bassist and music educator who teaches and performs in the greater Rochester area. He began playing electric bass in middle school studying jazz and rock, and at the age of 18 began studying double bass and classical music. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in California, where he studied with Professor Bruce Moyer, and a Master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music in where he studied with Professor James VanDemark. 

Armeen also has many experiences performing and teaching in the marching arts. He spent years performing in marching bands and drum corps in California, including four years as a percussionist in the DCI championship group, the Santa Clara Vanguard. He has years of experience coaching marching bands and drum corps in California before moving to Rochester, and has been a part of the educational team at the Santa Clara Vanguard since 2015. He is a sponsored educational artist of the Zildjian Company. 

Armeen is currently a performing bassist with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. As a strings educator, he maintains a studio of private students and is currently on the faculty of The Hochstein School and Roberts Wesleyan College. As a teacher he works to combine the best of both his musical worlds, as he presents philosophies of focus, work ethic, and dedication learned from the marching arts with his knowledge and experience as a classical musician. 

 

More About: Armeen Ghafourpour

Hometown: San Jose, California

What inspires me: Seeing my students discover a new concept, skill, or musical idea is what inspires me to teach. Seeing them have that “aha!” moment never gets old!

Why the arts matter: The arts connect people, and give us a way to communicate ourselves and be understood in a way that is unable to be expressed any other manner. 

Favorite things to do in Rochester area: Spending time at Roco, the Eastman House, and the Memorial Art Gallery experiencing art.

When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: At Fuego coffee shop drinking cold brew, or at home practicing and spending time with my cat Frank. 

My favorite local restaurant: Balsam Bagels! Everything bagel, cream cheese, and lox... but hold the cucumbers!

Favorite place to travel: Spending time back home in sunny California visiting friends and family.

Favorite musician: My favorite musical artist is Frank Ocean, but Brahms is a close second.

What people would be surprised to know about me: My drum corps friends are surprised I play classical double bass, and my orchestra friends are surprised to learn I play percussion in drum corps ... so it depends on which musical world you inhabit!