UofM World Renowned Classical Guitarist Afshar Passes Away

Long based in Memphis, Iranian guitarist and UofM instructor, Lily Afshar passes away

Lily Afshar, the once Memphis-based guitarist from Iran who was recognized worldwide as one of the masters of classical guitar, has died. Acclaimed as “one of the world’s foremost classical guitarists” according to Public Radio International, she taught master classes and performed concerts worldwide in prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall in London, the Salle Cortot in Paris, the Jerash Festival of Arts in Amman, Jordan, the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming. Afshar toured the world, recorded multiple albums and earned many honors in her field, while also teaching at the University of Memphis, where she organized and hosted an International Guitar Festival. Afshar is the first woman in the world to receive a Doctorate of Music in classical guitar.

Afshar, 63, died Tuesday, October 24, in Iran, where she recently had returned after a long struggle with cancer. She joined the UofM faculty in 1989 and retired earlier this year after 34 years on the UofM music faculty.

The School of Music Mourns the Loss of Dr. Lily Afshar >>

Commercial Appeal story >>