Ayana Samiyaevna Mongush (Аяна Самыяевна Монгуш) was born in 1976 in the village of Sagly in the Övur region of Tuva. In 2001 she graduated from the East-Siberian State Academy, Faculty of Arts, located in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic, Russia. A gifted composer and arranger, who has been honored with the title "Distinguished Cultural Figure of The Republic of Tuva," Mongush has been the artistic director and conductor of the Tuvan National Orchestra since its inception in 2003. Under her direction, the Orchestra won the grand prize in the All-Russia Competition of National Orchestras and Ensembles.

Mongush also teaches at the Kyzyl College of Arts, and since 2003 has performed with Tyva Kyzy (Daughters of Tuva). Tyva Kyzy is an all female throat singing ensemble, which is highly unusual because throat singing has traditionally been prohibited for women.

Mongush plays byzaanchy, igil, xomus, and doshpuluur, and she is a member of the Regional Union of Composers. She is married and has a son.

Email: Ayana Samiyaevna Mongush (Languages: Тыва [Tuvan], Русский [Russian])