Peripheral vision

After he founded Haya Ensemble, Zhang decided he wanted to make fusion music that combines Mongolian music with other elements.

"Mongolian people have created some of the most beautiful melodies in the world, but we don't have much in terms of rhythm," he says.

"If we put rhythms from, say, the Middle East, in our music, we create something new."

For Daiqing Tana, performing with Haya is a process for her to rediscover the most original state of singing.

After four years of vocal study at the Minzu University of China, she found that she could not adapt to the mode of China's mainstream vocal pedagogy.

She tries to give up the academic method of singing and goes back to the "edgy" state, where she feels comfortable to express herself in a simpler way.

"We are at the edge, but we hope more people from the center will get to know us," she says.

At the concert on Saturday, Haya will perform some of its most popular songs from the last six years. Apart from the show, the audience will also be able to enjoy an authentic Mongolian lamb meal.

Contact the writer at muqian@chinadaily.com.cn