BAZLEH, Sheila

Sheila Bazleh was born in Abadan, Iran, and later moved to Shiraz. She found solace in drawing and playing the piano, developing a talent for music. At 15, she attended boarding school in Sussex, England, where her piano skills advanced. She was encouraged to study music at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

During her travels between London and Tehran, Bazleh expanded her creative pursuits to include portrait painting and music composition. Her 4-hand piano piece gained recognition, leading to promotion by cultural entities and orchestras. At 23, her achievements were featured in a TV segment by director Victor Stoloff.

Following the 1979 Revolution, Bazleh moved to Los Angeles, where she continued her music education at USC and met composer David Raksin. She later collaborated with composer Aleksey Nikolsky on a music education method and children's programs. Despite her musical career, Bazleh felt a strong calling to fine arts, eventually dedicating herself to painting.