Sadra Mahshidfar

Receiving the LSO Conservatoire Scholarship is a transformative opportunity for me, providing the encouragement and support to continue developing as a musician, broaden my experiences and become part of a community that inspires the next generation of musicians.

Iranian pianist Sadra Mahshidfar is recognised for his expressive artistry and versatility across a wide range of repertoire. He has performed as both a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Iran and the United States, most recently as a Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School.

An enthusiastic performer of contemporary music, Sadra has collaborated with leading composers such as Philip Cashian and Brett Dean, performing Dean’s Hommage Études and is an active member of the Manson Ensemble at the Royal Academy of Music. He has also performed in the Royal Academy’s Piano Festivals, presenting programmes that have ranged from multimedia collaborations, live improvisation to silent movies to chamber music and performances featuring his own Mozart cadenzas. Passionate about imaginative concert programming, he particularly enjoys exploring less-known pieces and creating programmes that brings Baroque and contemporary works in dialogue.

Sadra has received numerous awards, including the Yamaha Scholarship Award, the Franz Liszt Cup at the Coulsdon and Purley Festival and the Chung Nung Lee Piano Prize. He was also awarded the Regency Award for Distinguished Studentship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Royal Academy of Music community. In addition, he received the Royal Academy of Music’s Best Original Cadenza Award for a Mozart concerto.

He has studied with distinguished pianists including Steven Osborne, Michel Béroff,and Hung-Kuan Chen and alongside his performing career, he studies composition and improvisation.

A First-Class Honours graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Sadra will begin his Master of Music degree in September 2026, continuing his studies with Professor Joanna MacGregor. He is supported by the Leverhulme Arts Scholarship, is a Talent Unlimited Artist and a Drake Calleja Trust Scholar. Sadra studied at the Tehran University of Art before moving to London.