Afsaaneh Malek (Shahnaz Keykavoosi) was born in Tehran in 1942. Owing to her mother’s deep interest in traditional music, she developed a strong passion for its melodies from an early age. In 1958, she enrolled in the Evening Conservatory of Music, directed by the late Amir Jahed, where she studied Persian vocal music and the traditional repertoire (Radif) under Master Abdollah Davami and later the late Mahmoud Karimi.
In 1963, she continued to refine her musical knowledge and skills in the classes of the renowned Master Gholam-Hossein Banan, which were occasionally organized and supervised by Mr. Nosratollah Ebrahimi. In 1961, she was introduced by Master Mahmoud Karimi to the General Department of Fine Arts. From then until 1978, she worked as an official vocalist with the former Ministry of Culture and Arts, continuing her professional artistic activities throughout that period.
