Baran Dance Ensemble specializes in dances of the Persian-speaking world, including Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, at festivals and cultural celebrations in Seattle and the surrounding area. The ensemble’s repertoire includes dance pieces set to both traditional Persian reng and contemporary Persian classical music, regional folk dances of Iran, classical Tajik dance set to mystical Sufi poetry, regional dances of Kulob and Badakhshan in Tajikistan, and regional dances of Afghanistan.
Recently renamed Baran Dance Ensemble (formerly known as Karoun Dance Ensemble) was formed in 2012, composed of three Seattle-based members of Delshodeh Dance Ensemble:
Current permanent members include:
Janelle Bel Isle, director
Maria LaFrance, asst. director
Atriya Salamati
Samira Nabavi
Stay up-to-date by following Baran on facebook
Contact: (360) 540 3497
janelle.dance@yahoo.com
janelle.dance@yahoo.com
 |
| Photo by Tatsuki Kobayshi 2016 |
 |
| Karoun Dance Ensemble performing a Qajar Persian dance at the 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival |
 |
| Performing Ghasem Abadi dance at Northest Folklife Festival. Photo: Farhad Jahanbani. |
 |
| Performing Classical Persian dance at the 7th annual Seattle Iranian Festival, 2013 |
 |
| Performing Badakshani dance from the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan |
 |
| Elham and Janelle performing a Ghasem Abadi dance for the Portland Iranian Festival, 2011 |