Kongar-ool Ondar

Kongar-ool Ondar (Artistic Director) was born in 1962 and began throat singing as a child. In 1985, after serving in the Soviet Navy and receiving a degree from the Kyzyl Pedagogical Institute, he formed the Tuva Ensemble, which toured in Tuva and neighboring Soviet republics. In the early 1990s, he won the UNESCO-sponsored International Festival of Throat Singing. By 1992 he had toured throughout Europe and was awarded the title of People's Xoomeizhi (Throat Singer) of Tuva. He has performed with countless musicians in countries all over the world. In 1995, he hosted American blues musician Paul Pena, whom he had invited to Tuva to compete in the throat singing competition. The Oscar-nominated documentary Genghis Blues chronicles this adventure and prominently features Kongar-ool. Kongar-ool is a former member of the Tuvan parliament and an honored Artist of the Russian Federation.