Sonbol Taefi Persian Vocalist & Composer in Auckland

Her story

From Bandar Abbas to Auckland

Sonbol Táefi, a singer, composer, and producer hailing from the southern region of Iran, has made a name for herself with several albums of original music. Her musical journey commenced at the young age of 9 when she began appearing on children’s television shows in her hometown, Bandar Abbas.

Sonbol’s talent led her to early-stage performances, collaborating with various bands and orchestras. She became a regular participant in arts festivals, achieving first place in performance and singing for five consecutive years until she completed high school and ventured to London to pursue further education. Sonbol eventually moved to the South Pacific after residing in London for five years. In New Zealand, her current residence with her family, her passion for writing, composing, and recording music took flight.

Over the years, Sonbol has had the privilege of working with acclaimed musicians both in New Zealand and abroad. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century poets and influenced by her Bahá’í background and the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Sonbol has crafted a unique musical style that blends modern elements with classical themes. Notably, her recent recordings have been arranged by renowned concert pianist and musical director Stephen Small. Her latest album, titled ‘Sea of Mystery,’ was recorded in collaboration with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra under the direction and production of well-known composer Tom Price.

While Sonbol’s original language is Persian, she sings in various languages. She has performed concerts in numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, South Africa, China, Macau, Samoa, and England. She has also been a featured performer in many artistic events and conferences worldwide. One of Sonbol’s passions is learning songs in different languages, leading her to perform in diverse linguistic styles, including English, Samoan, Persian, Maori, and Zulu.

Since 2018, Sonbol has collaborated with HAPfilm, entrusting them as her Director of Photography (DOP) for several music video productions. In a recent development, HAPfilm has also taken on the task of remixing and rearranging some of Sonbol’s previously produced songs, infusing them with fresh energy and new vibes.