Raeeka Shehabi-Yaghmai made her soprano debut as an opera singer in 2011. Since then, she has performed legendary pieces such as the titular role in Carmen, founded the Persian Melody Project, and, most recently, launched a successful career as a relationship coach.
To launch this second phase of her life and reinvent herself, Yaghmai pulled relationship wisdom and knowledge from her own experiences. She also returned to earn her certification as a relationship and life coach.
“I don’t sell secrets, it’s not a cookie-cutter formula,” Yaghmai explains. “They’re principles that we follow, but those principles are applied individually to each woman, according to their needs, their desires, and their vision of love.”
Raeeka Shehabi-Yagmai’s varied and illustrious career
Yahgmai began her career as Donna Elvira from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. From there, she moved on into roles such as Cio-Cio San from Madame Butterfly, and Susanna from Le nozze di Figaro. Yaghmai also often performs concert recitals, and at various events for scholarship programs and alumni events at her alma mater.
Yaghmai had “a desire to make Persian music more accessible to classical singers and to bring Persian folksongs and melodies to the Western classical stage.” So, in addition to Western opera, she also founded the Persian Melody Project. The arrangements combine Persian folk themes and lyrics with Western arrangements and a blend of instruments. These include the daf – a large Persian drum – and cello.
A personal break-through opens new doors
Yaghmai was born in Tehran but received her musical training in the US, where she still lives today. She has a Bachelors of Music from California State University of Northridge, a Master of Music as well as a post graduate Artist’s Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In 2005, Yaghmai also established the Taneen Opera Summer Workshop for aspiring opera singers.
For a time, Yaghmai led a turbulent personal life. That is, until she got out of the relationship and mindset that held her back. Now, she is happily married. This experience drove her to establish Dating with Confidence.
“It wasn’t until I worked on myself on cleaning up all these little beliefs that were stopping me from finding the guy that I am with today,” she explains. “And my belief was stopping me from meeting somebody like him.”
Raeeka Shehabi-Yaghmai tackles second career as a life and love coach
“To love and be loved is our birthright,” says Yaghmai. “Create the love life YOU deserve and desire.” Her turbulent relationship with her ex-fiance deeply impacted her. When it ended, she wanted to pass on the lessons that she learned the hard way to other women.
“I wish I could go back in time and shake my past self out of these misconceptions that held me back for so long!” she writes.
Yaghmai earned her certification from the International Coach Federation. An Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, she has run her firm Dating With Confidence since 2010. There, she has worked with clients all over the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
“I am a strong advocate of #LoveEducation,” Yaghmai writes. “It is missing from our academic system and causing so much pain and affecting our mental health.” With her coaching, Yaghmai saves others the heartache she experienced, and gives them the skills to pass these strategies and self-love on.
Check out Dating with Confidence here.
