Nina Tahbaz is a dedicated pianist and teacher in the Arizona music community. Originally from Tehran, Iran, she began studying piano at the age of twelve. After several years exploring Persian repertoire, she turned to Western classical music, a passion she has embraced ever since. During her high school years, she composed and accompanied her school choir, earning several prizes at the Student Choir and Music Festival Competitions in Tehran.

Nina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology in Iran and later pursued her passion for music after moving to the United States with her husband and two young children. She completed the Beginning and Intermediate Piano Pedagogy Certificates and an Associate of Arts degree in Music at Mesa Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Piano from Arizona State University. She was also a prizewinner in both the Mesa Community College Piano Competition and the Maricopa Community Colleges District Piano Competitions.

Her teaching experience spans over thirty years, beginning as a substitute teacher in her piano teacher’s studio at the age of fifteen. Since relocating to Mesa, Arizona, she has continued teaching privately while remaining actively involved in the music community. Nina works with students of all ages, guiding them toward confident and expressive music-making. Her students participate in regular studio recitals and evaluation programs, as well as ensemble and community-based opportunities that foster a lifelong love of music.

In addition to teaching, Nina has held several leadership positions. She served as Chair of the EVMTA Piano Competition for several years, is currently a member of the Board of the Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA), and is honored to serve as First Vice President of EVMTA, where she continues to support and promote music education within the community.