Paranj studied Cello at Tehran University with Karim Ghorbani and Majid Esmaili. At San Francisco Conservatory of Music he received his Bachelor of Medicine in composition studying with David Garner and Conrad Susa, then he continued at the Manhattan School of Music with Richard Danielpour.
While in San Francisco, he studied Cello with Jennifer Culp, percussion with Jack Van Geem and Piano with Alla Gladysheva. He also received lessons from John Adams (composer).
His style integrates Persian and Western influences. He founded a hybrid percussion ensemble in 2012. Paranj is known for championing Persian classical music and culture throughout the world.
His style blends Persian rhythmic and melodic influences with Western texture and form.
He has received formal recognition from the Mehr Humanitarian Society (2010) and from the City and County of San Francisco (2011). A cellist and master of the Tonbak, he has played on more than 40 CDs with musicians all over the world, appearing at more than 100 well known festivals and venues, such as Lincoln Center in New York, Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco.
He has collaborated with ensembles such as Shams Ensemble and soloists such as Persian master Mohammad Reza Shajarian. Acclaimed by the San Francisco Examiner as “impressive”, and by John Adams (composer) as “unique”.
In 2012, Paranj founded Sarkesh Percussion, a hybrid percussion ensemble.
