Shamim Minoo is an internationally recognized Iranian harpist. At just 20, she was awarded the Gold Medal at the 13th USA International Harp Competition (2025). She also received the Renié Prize for her performance of Pièce symphonique by Henriette Renié, a required piece in the semi-finals.
Born in 2004, she began studying harp and voice at the age of six. She soon appeared with major Iranian orchestras including the Tehran Symphony and Iranian National Orchestras. Shamim performed Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp with the Iranian Youth Orchestra, and a year later, when she was 13, she won First Prize at the Concours Français de la Harpe, leading to recital opportunities in Limoges and Paris.
In 2020, at the age of 15, she moved to Paris to join the preparatory cycle at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional (CRR) with Ghislaine Petit-Volta, and at 16, she entered the class of Isabelle Moretti and Geneviève Létang at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP). She earned her bachelor’s degree with the highest honors (mention très bien à l’unanimité avec les félicitations du jury) and is currently completing the last year of her master’s degree.
Shamim has received First Prizes from the Szeged International Harp Competition (Hungary, 2022), Suoni d’Arpa Competition (Italy, 2023), and the Rossetti Prize (2024), which led to a performance of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco concertino for harp with the Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti.
She is a laureate of the Fondation de France (Prix Monique Rollin, 2024 & 2025), Fondation Société Générale, Fondation Safran, Fondation l’Or du Rhin and Académie de Villecroze. In 2024, she was awarded a full scholarship to the Aspen Music Festival, studying with Nancy Allen.
Shamim has been praised by Harp Column Magazine for “the resilience and thoughtfulness that define her artistry.” She continues to inspire audiences worldwide through her expressive performances and refined musicality.
