Fatemeh Vaezi, who later on picked the artistic name of Parissa, was born on March 16, 1950 in Iran. After finishing high school, with emphasis on Persian Literature, she studied classical Persian vocal Radif with Master Mahmud Karimi, at the National Music Conservatory. After the Iranian revolution, this conservatory was abolished and she continued her education in private lessons with the Master.
The traditional form of Persian Classical Music training is learned by heart from a Master and there are no formal academic teachings as prevailing in the west.

Master Karimi was the undisputed master of vocal Radif and during her 16 years of apprenticeship, he graciously offered his entire repertoire of vocal Radif.

He once commented “Parissa is my most promising pupil and she can sing all the modes with the skill of re-interpretation or improvisation necessary to correctly perform Iranian music”