A soloist of the Alash ensemble, 23-year-old Bady-Dorzhu Ondar, has been awarded the title People’s Khoomeizhi of Tuva. Sholban Kara-ool, head of the Republic of Tuva, made the announcement on the 15th anniversary of the young throat singer’s professional debut. Bady-Dorzhu Ondar’s career started early. At the age of eight, the young throat singer began to perform with his teacher, the well known khoomeizhi Kongar-ool Ondar. The teacher and student were guests on one of the most highly rated American talk shows, the David Letterman Show. Later, 9-year-old Bady-Dorzhu Ondar performed Tuvan throat singing on another popular talk show, hosted by the comic TV personality Chevy Chase.