About Doniahl Afshar
Doniahl Afshar is a guitarist, composer, and graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Music Composition. Known for his distinctive style, Fasdom Music, Doniahl blends global musical traditions with contemporary techniques to create a sound that is both innovative and deeply expressive.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Iran, Doniahl’s musical journey began amidst a rich cultural backdrop that continues to inform his artistry today. After returning to the United States in 2016, he settled in Austin, Texas—a city that remains close to his heart and instrumental in his personal and musical growth.
Throughout his career, Doniahl has studied under renowned masters from around the world, while also finding inspiration in the wisdom of local musicians. He believes that every player, no matter their level, has something valuable to share if you truly listen.
As an educator, Doniahl brings a personalized, student-centered approach to his teaching. He meets each student where they are, guiding them through thoughtful practice, creative exploration, and the development of their own musical ideas. His teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity and encourages students not just to perform music, but to shape it in ways that are uniquely meaningful to them.
Doniahl’s diverse background includes fingerstyle guitar, ethnic music, composition, orchestration, screen scoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration with dancers and other artists. These experiences continue to shape his dynamic perspective as both a performer and teacher.
To Doniahl, music is more than a discipline—it’s a way of being. “There are countless lessons about living in the moment,” he says, “but music doesn’t just teach it. Music is living in the moment—enjoying each second of life as it unfolds.”
