Roya Farzaneh leads a versatile career as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. She serves as principal flutist with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, second flute for the Symphony of the Mountains, and acting second flute/piccolo of the Brevard Philharmonic. She has frequently performed with many regional orchestras including the Rock Hill Symphony, Long Bay Symphony, Aiken Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, and has previously served as second flute with the Guelph Symphony Orchestra in Ontario, Canada.
Farzaneh's artistic accomplishments have earned her recognition as a prize winner or finalist in numerous renowned solo flute competitions, including the Raleigh Area Flute Society, the Texas Flute Society's Myrna Brown Artist Competition, the Central Ohio Flute Association, the South Carolina Flute Society, the Flute Society of Kentucky, the Northeast Ohio Tuesday Musical Association, and the National Flute Association. Her summer engagements have included the National Music Festival, Hot Springs Music Festival, the Monteux School, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
Teaching is Farzaneh’s passion and priority. She is currently the adjunct professor of flute at East Tennessee State University and the artistic director of the ETSU Community Music School. Her dedication to teaching has extended throughout her career, including past appointments as adjunct faculty at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC and director of the Congaree New Horizons ensemble, Flute Loops, an adult amateur flute choir based in Columbia, SC.
Being an Iranian-American flutist, Farzaneh has a passion for exploring new and diverse repertoire. She has collaborated with several female-identifying Iranian composers and has had the honor of presenting her research of works for flute by Iranian women around the country. She has presented a variety of recitals and lectures at conferences for the Mid-South Flute Society, Mid-Atlantic Flute Society, National Flute Association, Florida Flute Association, South Carolina Flute Society, and the Flute New Music Consortium.
Farzaneh has also presented lectures on physical and mental wellness at several national conferences. Drawing from her experience as a personal trainer, she incorporates evidence-based research to provide insight on how we use our bodies as flutist and exercises that can help prevent injuries. Farzaneh actively integrates mindfulness practices into her pedagogy, fostering a holistic approach to musicianship that addresses both physical and mental well-being.
Farzaneh earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of South Carolina, where she studied with Dr. Jennifer Parker-Harley. She completed her Master of Music from The University of Akron with George Pope and her Bachelor of Music from Middle Tennessee State University with Dr. Deanna Little. Along with her academic studies, Farzaneh spent time in the United Kingdom studying with Trevor Wye.
