Nazila was born in Iran and moved to America, landing in California in 1998. She joined MTNA in 2002. When she moved to Colorado she joined DAMTA in 2010, joining SSMTA in 2011. She is currently President of SSMTA and Secretary for DAMTA. Nazilla assisted with the CSMTA conferences the past two years and is currently V.P. for Local Associations. She was director for the Bethany Lutheran Church Music program from 2011-2014.
Her early private lessons were with an Arminian teacher. In order to attend and play recitals in some recital halls she had to change her name to Nazik Torbatian. Given her passion for music, Nazila auditioned for music programs and was granted a scholarship with Dr. Charles Fierro, Aaron Copland’s pupil. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music for Piano Performance, Pedagogy, and Music Education from California State University Northridge. Nazila earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical engineering in Food Industry back in Tehran.
While vacationing in Turkey, she met her husband Mike, a certified Financial Planner. They have moved to Denver for a better quality of life for their children and to be away from traffic! She has two children, Melodie 15 and Ryan 14 years old. Melodie is taking violin lessons from Robyn Julian, a faculty member at Regis. Ryan is taking private saxophone lessons and recently piano lessons from Joseph Harkins.
Nazila enjoys skiing, ice skating, volunteering for school and other organizations, She is a volunteer with Persian community in Denver for their annual New Year music programs for children.
As a Persian, she celebrates the first day of Spring. “Nowruz,” which has been around for 3,000 years. It is the moment that the equinox happens and marks the beginning of Spring. This usually occurs around March 21st. This year it is happening on Saturday March 20, 2021, 03:37:28 AM and we celebrate the new decade, The Year 1400!
A few weeks before the new year, it is customary to start cleaning the houses and setting up the Haft Seen table. Family members gather around the table when the equinox is happening and exchange gifts (just like Christmas) and make wishes. The table is set by putting mirrors, candles and items that start with “S” sound, such as: Seeb (apples) symbolizing beauty and health Serkeh (vinegar) symbolizing age and patience Samanoo (sweet pudding made of wheat germ) symbolizing affluence. Senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree) symbolizing love Sumaq (sumac berries) symbolizing the color of the sunrise Sir (Garlic) symbolizing medicine Sabzeh (wheat sprouts growing in a dish) Symbolizing rebirth Also, we add: Sonbol Hyacinth flower, symbol of coming of Spring Sekkeh, coins for prosperity and wealth. Colored eggs (like Easter) symbol of fertility Goldfish symbol of life
This upcoming Nowruz, I wish all of you health, happiness, and prosperity!