Sounds of the Steppe


Bringing the timeless beauty of traditional Mongolian melodies to audiences worldwide.

Sounds of the Steppe showcase the rich heritage of Mongolian music through a fusion of ethnic and classical music.

Performing on traditional instruments and incorporating throat singing and "long song" vocal techniques, Sounds of the Steppe blend contemporary styles with deep-rooted folk traditions, creating a unique and captivating musical experience.

The act features traditional musical techniques listed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

Altangerel Khishigtogtokh
Artistic Director / Composer

Ensemble Members

Amarbayar
Renchin

Erdenesuvd
Davaanyam

Lkhagvagerel
Makhbal

Ulziijargal
Tumurchudur

Delgertsetseg
Purev-Ochir

Munkhbat
Myagmarjav

Biographies

Sounds of the Steppe brings together some of Mongolia’s most virtuosic musicians. 

  • Composer / Artistic Director

    1990-1997: Altangerel Khishigtogtokh studied at the College of Music and Dance in Ulaanbaatar, in music theory and as a horse-head fiddle player.

    1997-1999: He studied musicology at the Cultural and Art University of Mongolia.

    1999-2004: He completed a Master Degree in music theory and composition at the Moscow Cultural and Art University.

    2009-2010,  2017-2018: He specialized in music composition under professor B. I. Tishchenco and A.V.Tchaikovsky at the Rimsky Korsakov State Conservatory in St Petersburg and Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow.

    Kh. Altangerel’s work successes show he is becoming one of the leading composers of modern Mongolia. He was awarded the Grand Prize of the “Golden Autumn-2006” music festival, which was held within the framework of the 800th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire, for his horse-head fiddle and symphony orchestra Concert. His horse-head fiddle and piano “Sonata-1”, his horse-head fiddle and yatga “Suite” were performed in the “Great Mongol” concert in Yokohama, Japan in November, 2006. In 2020, he won the first prize in the solo music category at the “JSFest 8th International Composers' Competition” in Turku, Finland. In 2021, he won the Grand Prix of the Morin Khuur-33 Naadam for the best song of the year. His works have been performed in Russia, USA, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Norway, China, Australia and Finland.

  • Traditional Singer

    “Long song” and traditional folk song singer Erdenesuwd Dawaanyam graduated from the Mongolian state conservatory. She worked at the Saran huhuu theatre for nine years. Since 2023 she has been working for the “Tumen ekh” Ensemble, a preserver and promoter of traditional heritage. She has won many international singing competitions. She has travelled to promote Mongolian traditional long song and folk song in Japan and China. She plays her own concert every year in the Mongolian national Ger with national musical instruments and  without microphones. Nowadays it is only concert of its kind  in Mongolia.

  • Horse-head Fiddle Player

    Amarbayar graduated from the Music and Dance College of Ulaanbaatar with a bachelor’s degree in morin khuur performance.

    • In 2007, he earned a Silver Medal at the International II Competition for Professional Horse Fiddle Players named after State Honored Artist and People’s Artist G. Jamiyan.

    • In 2008, he won first place at the inaugural National Musicians’ Competition named after State Honored Artist and People’s Artist L. Murdorj.

    • Received the award named after the President of Mongolia in 2012.

    • In 2015, he earned a Silver Medal at the International IV Competition for Professional Horse Fiddle Players named after State Honored Artist and People’s Artist G. Jamiyan.

    • In 2019, he received the “Silver Tree” award presented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Sports for outstanding artists of the year.

    • Awarded the title of Honored Artist of Mongolia in 2022.

    Since 1992, he has worked as a 1st morin kuuur player and soloist in the Morin Khuur Orchestra of the State Philharmonic. During this time, he performed as a morin khuur player and soloist in prestigious venues including the UNESCO Hall in France, Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, National Theatre of Korea, National Theatre of China, NHK Hall in Tokyo, the opera theater at the Palace of Versailles in France, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.


  • Traditional Flute Player and Throat Singer

    Lkhagvagerel is a famous Mongolian musician and expert in traditional flute. He graduated from the Mongolian State Conservatory and the Shanghai Conservatory. Since 2004, he has lived in Japan, where he performs and teaches Mongolian traditional music. He has held many concerts, lectures, and cultural exchange events, especially with children. He has also appeared on TV and radio, sharing his music with a wider audience. In Osaka and Tokyo, he teaches Limbe, Khoomii, and Mongolian folk music. In addition, he plays and teaches Chinese flutes like the Dizi, Xiao, and Hulusi.


  • Yochin Player

    Ulziijargal Tumurchudur is a distinguished Mongolian yochin (dulcimer) musician and soloist at the Mongolian National Arts Grand Theatre. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Solo Performance from the Music and Dance College of Mongolia and a master’s degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Over her fifteen-year career, Ulziijargal has performed internationally in China, Korea, Japan, and several Arab countries, showcasing the beauty of Mongolian traditional music to diverse audiences. She has also achieved recognition in several international music competitions, demonstrating her exceptional artistry and dedication. Her notable solo performances include Resonance of Metal Strings (2016), Winter Classic (2024), and her solo concert at the Shanghai Concert Hall (2023), reflecting her technical mastery and expressive musicianship. Recognized as a leading cultural figure in Mongolia, she has received national honors including the Altangadas award and a Labor Medal for her contribution to the arts. Currently, she works exclusively at the Mongolian National Arts Grand Theatre as both a solo and orchestra musician.

  • Yatga Player

    Ms. Delgertsetseg Purev-Ochir is a distinguished solo yatga musician of the Morin Khuur ensemble of Mongolia. She graduated from the Music and Dance College with a bachelor's degree in solo music yatga, a traditional plucked zither instrument of Mongolia in 2013. Since 2022, she has been studying music composition at the Conservatory of Mongolia.

    Since 2010, she has been working as a solo yatga musician for the Morin khuur orchestra and performing at many prestigious stages including the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia, the National theatre in South Korea, the National grand theatre in China, the NHK hall in Japan, and the Opera house of the Palace of Versailles in France. 

    Ms. Delgertsetseg has also been working as a solo yatga musician of Yatga Quintet, which consists of five professional yatga artists of the Morin Khuur orchestra. In 2016, the Yatga Quintet successfully organised their popular concert titled as "Limitless".

    Due to her exceptional career and dedication to the music industry of Mongolia, she was awarded the Leading cultural artist of Mongolia. In 2022, she won the Grand prize with her own music from the National Yatga Contest dedicated for the 70th anniversary of famous yatga artist Ms. Narantuya Zundui.

  • Throat Singer and Traditional Contrabass Player 

    Born in 1994 in Chandman sum, Khovd province, Mongolia, Munkhbat Myagmarjav is a distinguished Ikh Khuur (Mongolian bass fiddle) player, throat singer, and cultural bearer of Mongolia’s Khoomei tradition. He completed his Bachelor’s studies at the College of Music and Dance and earned his Master’s degree in Music from the Mongolian State Conservatory in 2024. Since 2017, he has been a member of the Morin Khuur Orchestra, performing on prestigious stages in Mongolia and abroad. Munkhbat’s artistry reflects the depth of Mongolia’s nomadic spirit—his performances blend the profound resonance of the Ikh Khuur with the ancient art of Khoomei, creating a soundscape that connects tradition and modernity. He has achieved international recognition, winning Second Prize twice at the International Ikh Khuur Competition and earning several Grand Prix and First Prizes at the International Khoomei Festivals. As a soloist and member of the acclaimed “The Chulugen” Quartet, he continues to share Mongolia’s unique musical heritage with audiences worldwide, dedicating his work to the preservation, innovation, and transmission of the country’s rich throat-singing and instrumental traditions.