Mahmood started playing classical piano at just six years old, taking private lessons that fueled his love for classical and romantic music. He performed in numerous recitals and concerts, and in high school, he competed in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) for solo ensemble piano, earning the Outstanding Soloist Award and placing in the top percentile out of 25,000 participants.

In 2018, Mahmood began studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC), but he still was eager to continue his music education. Therefore, he also decided to pursue a minor in Musical Studies for Classical Piano. However, the program required him to switch piano teachers every semester, which significantly stunted his development and diminished his passion for piano. When classes moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mahmood was able to reconnect with his former instructor from Texas via Zoom. Thanks to Zoom, he was able to continue lessons with the teacher who had always brought out the best in him, reigniting his passion for piano. This experience inspired him to create a platform that would give other students the same opportunity to learn from the teachers who inspire them, no matter where they are.

Since his graduation in 2023, Mahmood has started a career in software engineering. With his blend of academic and real-world experience, he’s now focused on developing Alfaclef, a platform that aims to provide quality music education accessible to students around the world through online lessons.