Church in session #27: Maryam Rahmani & David Esser | Yaelllavie

Wednesday 24th June 2026 | Doors 19:00

Maryam Rahmani – santur
David Esser – electronics
Marina Cyrino – flute, electro-acoustic preparations, objects, balloons
Caroline Cecilia Tallone – prepared electroacoustic hurdy-gurdy, amplified objects
Samuel Hall – drums, percussion, electronics, electro-acoustic preparations

Maryam Rahmani is an Iranian-born Santur player who has been based in Adelaide since 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Traditional Music Performance from Tehran University.

Maryam began playing Santur at the age of 12, studying directly with master musicians in Iran. Her practice later expanded through formal academic training, where she explored the depth and diversity of Iranian classical music.

Alongside Santur, she performs on Kamancheh and Dutar, broadening her engagement with Persian musical traditions. Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by Persian poetry and rhythmic structures, leading her to study tombak and the integration of poetic meter into music.

Since relocating to Australia, Maryam has further developed her rhythmic approach through flamenco dance, creating a unique dialogue between Persian and Spanish traditions.

Maryam’s work is driven by a commitment to preserving and reinterpreting her cultural heritage. She has collaborated with musicians across genres, creating performances that foster cultural exchange through music.

David Esser, born in Hamburg and based in Berlin, works within sound art and electroacoustic composition. With an early foundation in electronic music, his current focus lies on sound installations and field recording practice. His artistic work moves through the relationships between technology, environment, and spirituality, and explores how sound can reveal hidden layers of perception. Esser’s approach grows out of deep listening and the study of natural textural processes, tracing the quiet interplay between acoustic phenomena, resonance, and the act of paying close attention

Yael Lavie’s debut solo album presents original compositions that are both intimate and innovative. Rooted in the soulful tones of the qanun- an instrument with ancient Middle Eastern origins- the music intricately weaves a tapestry of cultural influences, blending rich makam scales with modern elements like drum machines and experimental production.

Line-up: David Esser