Fly Again Quartet

About Fly Again

Fly Again is an immersive quartet concert that transcends musical boundaries. This exceptional performance features the soul-stirring sounds of Ney, played and composed by Kianoush Khalilian, the exquisite harmonies of Violin, skillfully performed by Sallynee Amawat, the resonant melodies of Cello, beautifully played by Andrea Stewart, and the vibrant rhythms of Percussion, skillfully executed by Hamin Honari. Together, this quartet’s synergy creates a dynamic and emotionally resonant experience.

In “Fly Again,” traditional and contemporary music converge to tell a compelling story through the universal language of music. Audiences will be transported to a world where the Ney’s ancient melodies seamlessly blend with the modern nuances of Violin, Cello, and Percussion. The result is a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that captivates the senses.

This concert is a celebration of artistic innovation and a testament to the power of musical expression. “Fly Again” invites you to experience the magic of four musicians—Kianoush Khalilian on Ney, Sallynee Amawat on Violin, Andrea Stewart on Cello, and Hamin Honari on Percussion—coming together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s a performance that defies categorization, offering a fresh perspective on the possibilities of live music.

About The Artists

Sallynee Amawat

Originally from Chicago, USA, violinist Sallynee Amawat began her musical studies at the age of 3. Her musical education includes professional and graduate studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the University of Hartford (United States) and McGill University (Canada). For over 10 years, she has devoted her career to the practice of historical performance, completing her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Early Music at McGill University where her research focused on the repertoire of the early French violin school. Sallynee has led baroque performance workshops and masterclasses in the United States and Bangkok, in partnership with Silapakorn University and the Princess Galayani Vatthana Institute of Music. 

Based in Montreal, she has performed throughout North America and Asia, and performs regularly with period ensembles such as the American Baroque Orchestra, the Arion Baroque Orchestra, Galileo Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble La Cigale, Les Boréades, the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal (SMAM). She is a founding member and Executive Director of Infusion Baroque, Grand Prize and Audience Prize winners of the 2014 Early Music America Baroque Performance Competition. Infusion Baroque is known for “brilliant virtuosity, musical integrity and stage presence like no other.” (La Scena Musicale). Their debut album, 1747: CPE Bach, was described as “captivating and full of character” by Radio-Canada, and their second album, Kreüsser, was nominated for the 2019 Prix Opus Album of the Year Award – Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque. Champions of historical and modern women in early music, the ensemble has organized an online series and promotional campaign for women musicians (#virtuELLES) during the pandemic, and released their third album, Virtuosa, in 2022, based on composers and performers from the baroque and romantic eras. 

Sallynee is also the co-founder and music director of Compagnie intangible, a multidisciplinary performance group in partnership with Canadian dancer Benjamin Tardif. Their dance film project, Matchanu, combined music and dance from eighteenth-century France and Thailand, and was screened as part of FANG MAE KHONG International Dance Festival in Laos in 2022 and will be featured as part of the New Dance for Asia International Festival in Daegu, Korea, in 2023. 

Andear Stewart

Canadian cellist and gambist Andrea Stewart is a versatile musician and artistic instigator whose explorations span from historical performance to the sounds and techniques of contemporary music. She has been heard in venues across North America, Europe, and Asia. Andrea is a founding member and the Associate Director of Juno-nominated chamber ensemble collectif9, and is member of early music ensembles Infusion Baroque and Arion Baroque Orchestra. Since 2023, Andrea has been co-director of the chamber music course run by collectif9 at the Orford Music Academy.

Andrea holds the degrees of Doctor of Music and Master of Music from McGill University. She performs on the 1824 McConnell Nicolaus Gagliano II cello, on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank.

Hamin Honari

Hamin Honari is a globally acclaimed Iranian percussionist, renowned for his pioneering contributions to Persian music. Born in 1983 in Zahedan, Iran, into a family steeped in musical tradition, Honari was destined for a life in music. His early education in tombak, under Ramin Bahrami, ignited a lifelong passion for percussion. Honari’s artistic journey is marked by an adventurous spirit, blending traditional Persian rhythms with jazz, classical, and global music influences. His discography, featuring both solo works and collaborations, showcases his innovative approach to percussion. A member of “Constantinople,” led by Kiya Tabassian, and part of Montreal’s “Les Arrivants,” Honari’s career is highlighted by extensive international tours. He has shared stages with luminaries like Kayhan Kalhor, collaborated with Gordon Grdina’s The Marrow, The Vashaan Ensemble, Saeed Farajpoory, and Itamar Erez, among others, enriching his experience across over 25 countries. Honari’s live performances are a testament to his virtuosity, blending dynamic playing with a profound connection to his audience. Through his performances, he continues to expand the horizons of Persian music, introducing its richness to a global audience and standing as a distinguished ambassador of this vibrant cultural heritage.

Kianoush Khalilian

Kianoush Khalilian is a Ney player and composer deeply rooted in the traditional Iranian musical landscape. His musical journey began in 1990 under the guidance of master musician Hassan Nahid in Tehran. Kianoush’s skill and dedication were quickly recognized as he clinched the top spot in the nationwide Iranian schools competition for Ney performance just five years into his studies.

In 2009, Kianoush took the third spot in the musical composition category at the Iranian Youth Music Festival, showcasing his versatility and creative flair. Since then, his Ney has resonated across Asia, Europe, Canada, and the USA, gracing prestigious festivals such as the San Lorenzo Music Festival in Italy, Rencontres musicales de Conques in France, and the Toronto Jazz Music Festival.

Kianoush’s passion for the Ney goes beyond performance. He dedicated time to studying the instrument’s characteristics, leading to innovative modifications that earned him recognition from the IRAN National House of Music.

In 2023, Kianoush recorded a groundbreaking album in Canada, titled “Fly Again,” a testament to his commitment to showcasing the beauty of the Ney. This project, rooted in traditional Persian modes or “Dastgahs,” introduces listeners to the instrument’s unique sound in a variety of compositions. With a nod to tradition, Kianoush’s album becomes a bridge between cultures, offering Canadians a rare glimpse into the rich heritage of the Ney.

Beyond the stage, Kianoush is a music teacher, sharing his expertise through an instructional book on the Persian Ney, which he wrote and teaches. His dedication to preserving and promoting this ancient art form marks him not only as a musician but as a custodian of cultural heritage. Kianoush also founded his own ensemble in Canada, spreading the enchanting sounds of the Ney to audiences worldwide. As Kianoush Khalilian’s album, “Fly Again,” resonates, he emerges not just as an artist but as a cultural ambassador, enriching the global musical landscape with the soulful notes of the Ney.

Canadian Asian Music Society CAMS Music Kianoush Khalilian Concerts Toronto Canada Art Culture Persian Ney Nai Nay

Fly Again Quartet in Toronto

Starts on Sat, Jan 20, 2024 7:30 PM EST

Lansing United Church – Toronto – 49 Bogert Avenue Toronto, ON M2N 1K6

Canadian Asian Music Society CAMS Music Kianoush Khalilian Concerts Toronto Canada Art Culture Persian Ney Nai Nay

Fly Again Quartet in Montreal

Starts on Sun, Jan 21, 2024 7:30 PM EST

Joseph-Rouleau Hall – Montreal – 305, Mont-Royal Avenue East Montreal, QC H2T 1P8