Honoring the Life and Legacy of Hossein Omoumi (1944–2026)

UC Irvine mourns the loss of internationally renowned Persian musician, scholar and educator whose lifelong dedication to classical Persian music inspired generations of students and audiences worldwide.

The UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts mourns the passing of Hossein Omoumi, internationally acclaimed musician, scholar and educator, who died Nov. 4, 2026, at age 82. A master of the ney, the traditional Persian reed flute, Omoumi dedicated his life to preserving, advancing and sharing the rich traditions of classical Persian music. He served as the Maseeh Professor in Persian Performing Arts in the Department of Music at UC Irvine for two decades.
Throughout his distinguished career, Omoumi brought Persian classical music to audiences around the world while fostering a deeper understanding of its cultural and artistic traditions. His contributions as a performer, researcher and teacher extended beyond the concert stage, shaping new approaches to music education and instrument design while inspiring generations of musicians to explore the expressive possibilities of Persian music.
“Professor Omoumi was extraordinary in his level of artistry and deep passion for Persian culture and music,” said Tiffany Ana López, Ph.D., Claire Trevor Dean of the Arts. “He generously shared both to great impact, inspiring us to see the power of legacy each artist carries and the many ways music connects us across generations.”

Born in 1944 in Isfahan, Iran, Omoumi began his musical education singing with his father. At age 14, he began studying the ney, an instrument that would become central to his artistic identity. While pursuing architecture, he was accepted as a tutorial student at the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Tehran, where he studied with renowned masters Mahmud Karimi and Farhâd Fakhreddini. He later continued his training with Hassan Kassâei, one of the most influential ney masters of his generation.

Omoumi's international performance career spanned decades, with appearances at prominent festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and the United States. His performances included San Francisco's World Music Festival, the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the World Music Institute and Asia Society in New York, and the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris. Through his artistry, he introduced audiences to the distinctive melodies, rhythms and improvisational traditions of Persian classical music, helping sustain and expand appreciation for an important musical heritage.

A dedicated educator, Omoumi held teaching appointments at the National Conservatory and Tehran University in Iran, the Center for Oriental Music Studies at Sorbonne University in Paris, and the ethnomusicology programs at UCLA and the University of Washington. He joined UC Irvine in 2006 as the Maseeh Professor in Persian Performing Arts, bringing his expertise to the Claire Trevor School of the Arts and contributing to the university’s broader commitment to Persian studies and cultural scholarship. He also served as an affiliated faculty member of the UCI Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture. 

At UCI Arts, Omoumi shared his knowledge of classical Persian music with students and audiences through teaching, performances and research. He believed that understanding traditional musical forms provided a foundation for artistic creativity and innovation. His approach emphasized the importance of listening, cultural appreciation and the ability of music to create meaningful connections across generations and communities.

In a 2024 interview with UCI Arts, Omoumi reflected on his commitment to teaching and the importance of sharing music with younger generations. He spoke of the need to cultivate an appreciation for musical expression in an increasingly noisy world and described the joy he found in watching students discover the beauty of Persian classical poetry through song.

His scholarly and creative contributions included Pish-Radif, a series of 11 lessons he arranged and composed to introduce students to the principles of classical Persian music. His research into the construction and performance of traditional Persian instruments also led to innovations involving the ney, tombak and daf, expanding their musical possibilities while honoring their traditional foundations.

Professor Omoumi's impact at UC Irvine extended far beyond his musical achievements. His dedication to teaching and his ability to connect students with Persian history, poetry and culture left a lasting impression across the university.

"His impact on UCI was broad, deep and multidimensional," said Michael Dessen, professor of music and Robert & Marjorie Rawlins Chair of Music of the UC Irvine Department of Music. "Ostad Omoumi — a title recognizing his artistic mastery — was a profoundly devoted and caring teacher. He welcomed students of all levels and backgrounds, introducing them not only to new musical systems but also to Persian history, poetry and culture. Despite being a world-class artist and innovator in demand across the globe, he delighted in spending time with beginning-level students, sharing the beauty of Persian classical traditions."

Dessen, who joined the UCI faculty alongside Omoumi in 2006, reflected on their two decades as colleagues.

"His teaching, his powerful performances on our campus, and his kind and generous presence have all been continual sources of inspiration for me and so many of my faculty and staff colleagues."

Omoumi also founded the Haft Dastgah Association, dedicated to preserving classical Persian musical traditions. His commitment to cultural education extended to recordings, performances and documentary projects, including the 2016 film Classical Persian Music: Hossein Omoumi from Isfahan to Irvine, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute.

His artistic accomplishments were complemented by an extensive academic background in architecture. Omoumi graduated with honors from the National University of Iran and earned his doctorate from the University of Florence in Italy through a scholarship awarded by the Italian government. He subsequently taught architecture at the National University of Iran for 10 years, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to a career defined by artistic inquiry and innovation.

Reflecting on his artistic philosophy in 2024, Omoumi shared: "My goal is to help the audience grow appreciation for music, and learn how to love music. Through this, I hope they develop a sense of unity."

That belief in music's ability to connect people remains central to his legacy. Through his teaching, performances and scholarship, Omoumi helped ensure that the traditions of classical Persian music would continue to resonate with future generations. His contributions to UC Irvine and the international music community leave an enduring legacy of artistic excellence, cultural preservation and education.

Read the tribute from Amir Hosein Pourjavady on Encyclopædia Iranica.