Director - Azita Sahebjam
Azita is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and cultural educator dedicated to preserving and promoting Iranian heritage through the art of dance.
Born and raised in Tehran, she began her dance training at the age of 11 with Pars National Ballet under the direction of Abdollah Nazemi, performing extensively across Iran and Europe. Her classical ballet career was abruptly interrupted following the Iranian Revolution, when the Islamic Republic of Iran prohibited academic dance.
In 1988, Azita immigrated to Canada, shifting her focus from a career in ballet to a new mission—preserving and sharing Iranian culture through folk and traditional dance. She went on to establish the Canadian chapter of the Vancouver Pars National Ballet, creating a platform for cultural exchange and artistic expression.
Throughout her career in Canada, Azita has received numerous honors, including recognition from former Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, former Secretary of State the Hon. Hedy Fry, and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal. She considers her most meaningful recognition, however, to be the appreciation of her students—many of whom have learned about their heritage through her teaching.
Azita and her performance group have shared Iranian folk and traditional dance with audiences worldwide, both in performance and in educational settings. Known for her deep expertise, boundless patience, and passion for her craft, Azita is respected and beloved by students and collaborators alike. Her commitment to authentically representing Iranian culture through dance, combined with her vibrant spirit, continues to inspire. Today, she remains an active teacher, performer, cultural educator, and advocate, dedicated to ensuring the legacy of Iranian dance thrives for future generations.
Born and raised in Tehran, she began her dance training at the age of 11 with Pars National Ballet under the direction of Abdollah Nazemi, performing extensively across Iran and Europe. Her classical ballet career was abruptly interrupted following the Iranian Revolution, when the Islamic Republic of Iran prohibited academic dance.
In 1988, Azita immigrated to Canada, shifting her focus from a career in ballet to a new mission—preserving and sharing Iranian culture through folk and traditional dance. She went on to establish the Canadian chapter of the Vancouver Pars National Ballet, creating a platform for cultural exchange and artistic expression.
Throughout her career in Canada, Azita has received numerous honors, including recognition from former Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, former Secretary of State the Hon. Hedy Fry, and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal. She considers her most meaningful recognition, however, to be the appreciation of her students—many of whom have learned about their heritage through her teaching.
Azita and her performance group have shared Iranian folk and traditional dance with audiences worldwide, both in performance and in educational settings. Known for her deep expertise, boundless patience, and passion for her craft, Azita is respected and beloved by students and collaborators alike. Her commitment to authentically representing Iranian culture through dance, combined with her vibrant spirit, continues to inspire. Today, she remains an active teacher, performer, cultural educator, and advocate, dedicated to ensuring the legacy of Iranian dance thrives for future generations.
