Meet Rozhina Rajabloo

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rozhina Rajabloo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rozhina below.

Rozhina, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

For a long time, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. Music always felt like the obvious choice. Even though I studied math and science throughout high school, I always found myself returning to music. I believed my purpose was to make an impact, to create something meaningful, and it all seemed straightforward.

But once I began studying music seriously, and as I grew older and more reflective, I realized that a lot of what I was doing was shaped by a desire to impress people or fit into a certain image. I wasn’t really asking myself the deeper questions: Who am I? Why am I doing this? Would I still do this if no one was watching?

That realization changed the way I approached everything. I started slowing down and giving myself time to think, to learn, and to understand what actually feels true to me before sharing it with the world. I began looking inward instead of outward.

My purpose formed gradually, not as a fixed destination, but as a way of living and creating. Right now, my purpose is to be honest.
To act with intention, not momentum.
To prioritize thoughtful, deliberate creation over constant output.
To listen to my inner voice without judgment.
And to understand what is uniquely mine to express, shaped by my past, my culture, and the places I’ve called home.

This version of purpose feels far more authentic than the one I had before.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m originally from Iran and currently based in Boston, studying composition at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. Music has been part of my life since childhood. I started with violin, then piano, and eventually voice, and even during the years when I wasn’t formally studying music, it was still quietly shaping me.

Movement is a big part of my story. I spent my last two years of high school in Slovakia, where I formed a band and performed in different venues to keep my musical self alive. Living between countries and cultures, constantly adapting, rebuilding, and redefining what “home” means to me, has influenced me deeply both personally and artistically. I rarely felt tied to a single place, genre, or language. That sense of in-betweenness has become a core part of my identity, and I like to explore it often in my writing.

When I committed fully to studying music, I took the time to reflect on my purpose: why I create, what I want my work to stand for, and how I want to show up in my art. Honesty became central. My influences blend everything I’ve lived; classical training, popular styles, jazz, and the Middle Eastern sound that lives in me, even without formal study. Instead of forcing myself to choose one identity, I try to let these worlds coexist and shape a voice that feels real.

Integrity matters to me. Art feels almost sacred, and I don’t want it to become something performative or attention-driven. I’d rather be defined by my values and my inner world than by trends and expectations. Even if the audience is small, being true to myself matters more than fitting an image.

Music used to be my escape. Now it’s also a science, a language, a connector, and sometimes a way to question the world and to make change. I’m excited to keep learning, to write more boldly, explore new instrumentations, and create work that reflects what I genuinely love, and finally share it when the timing feels right.

Outside of music, I like to write, read, draw, paint, and practice yoga. These help me stay grounded and understand myself more deeply. I think of what I create as a whole experience, not just something to listen to. For me, being an artist starts with being a better human. Art is where I return to myself, away from the noise, and stay close to the person I’m becoming.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, honesty with myself.
I had to learn not to do things just to stay busy, gain attention, or collect validation. Instead, I focused on choosing work aligned with my purpose. Understanding that being active and being intentional are not the same completely changed the clarity and authenticity of my path.

Second, the value of slowing down.
I wasn’t formally studying music before university, so much of my foundation was built later and very intentionally. I had to stop worrying about “falling behind” and give myself room to grow. The most important parts of my development came from taking time to reflect, writing, journaling, paying attention to what feels true, and allowing myself to evolve without judgment.

Third, seeking knowledge instead of relying solely on natural ability.
Growing up, people often told me I was talented, but once I began studying music seriously, I realized that talent only gets you so far. Curiosity is what moves you forward; wanting to understand why something works, how a sound forms, and what makes a piece breathe. Staying open and eager to learn transformed the way I think and approach writing.

My advice is to give yourself permission to explore without rushing into a fixed identity. Spend time with yourself. Reflect, write, ask questions. Be gentle in the process. Don’t rush to produce—focus on understanding. Stay curious, seek knowledge, seek mentors, and lean into what challenges you. The more you learn, the more space your true voice will have to emerge.
And although this isn’t something society often encourages, because we tend to define success by outcomes rather than by the process or the value behind it, slowing down is essential. It helps you find yourself before you commit to something for so long that you suddenly face the question: Why am I doing this? Would I still choose this if there were no expectations placed on me?

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

If I only had a decade left, the first thing I’d let go of is the fear of making mistakes or being imperfect. I’d allow myself to use the time fully, without holding back.

I’d follow a path rather than obsess over a final goal. Goals are important, but once you reach them, you often realize they weren’t the whole story. Life shifts, outcomes change, and the future is unpredictable. But a path built on curiosity and excitement gives meaning to the journey itself. It lets you explore freely, try ideas without labeling them, and grow without constant self-critique.

Life comes with deadlines and responsibilities, and it’s not realistic to love every moment, but remembering that our “big final outcomes” are just points along a larger journey helps keep things in perspective.

Having lived in different countries, I’ve seen how much the environment shapes people, and that makes me want to experience even more. I would like to travel as much as possible, walk through new cities, taste their food, hear their languages and their music, see their art, and feel the stories inside them. Every city holds a world in it, and it’s a privilege to step into those worlds.

And I’d create as much as I could; music, writing, anything honest. Not to perfect it, but to leave something true behind myself.

In short: I’d spend that decade being present, being curious, and being deeply connected to the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rozhina_rajabloo?igsh=ajB5dnBrZWZ4NjN0&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14NRaz4n41m/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Brandon Perdomo
Martin Abelovský
Alireza Khodayari