Fred Safaei

Fred Safaei, Distinguished Piano Educator and Visionary Music Mentor

Fred Safaei, recipient of the Teacher Distinguished Award 2023 from The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), is a celebrated pianist, educator, and mentor whose teaching career spans over 45 years, beginning at age 17. Inspired by his renowned tar-playing uncle, Fred embarked on his musical journey at the age of eight and trained rigorously in the Russian piano tradition in Iran for 22 years.

A graduate of Tehran University of Art with a Bachelor’s in Music, Fred began teaching in his private studio in 1981 and, by 1988, was appointed as a piano instructor at the Tehran Conservatory. In 1995, he moved to Canada with a mission to provide exceptional music education on the North Shore. Recognized as a certified Advanced Specialist in Piano and Theory by The Royal Conservatory of Music, Fred has guided generations of students who consistently excel in festivals, examinations, and professional music careers, with some earning doctorates in music or publishing their work on platforms such as iTunes and Spotify.

Fred’s influence extends beyond his students’ personal achievements. He has trained several to become junior and professional instructors, including one student who has successfully opened her own music school in Squamish. As the driving force behind Ava Music & Art Centre Ltd., Fred has shaped it into an internationally recognized, award-winning institution, celebrated for Best Customer Service, Best Employer, Best Equity Awards, and North Shore’s Best Music School for 10 consecutive years.

Reflecting his leadership and vision, Fred was also named Businessperson of the Year by the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce in 2016.

Committed to continuous professional growth, Fred earned his Orff & Kodály certificates from the University of British Columbia, published a popular collection of 21 Persian songs transcribed for piano, and completed advanced performance coaching with Dr. Don Greene, a renowned Juilliard faculty member. He is also a Registered Piano Technician (RPT), trained under the late Davood Jaam, technician to legendary pianists Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter, making him the only Persian RPT in North America.

Fred is a sought-after performer, appearing on stages across Iran, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and Canada, and has participated in masterclasses with pianists such as Murray Perahia, Sergei Saratovsky, and Audrey Andrist. At Ava Music & Art Centre Ltd., he prepares students for examinations, hosts workshops for teachers, and actively mentors young instructors, ensuring a lasting legacy of excellence in music education.

Fred’s vision, passion, and dedication continue to inspire students, educators, and the community alike, making him not only an exceptional teacher but also the cornerstone of Ava Music & Art Centre Ltd.’s enduring success.