Sainkho Namtchylak, also known as Sainkho, born on March 11, 1957, in a secluded village in Tuva, Russian Federation, is a Tuvan singer-songwriter. She grew up exposed to local overtone singing traditions and studied music at the University of Kyzyl before moving to Moscow to continue her education. Her early career included performances with ensembles like Tri-O and Sayani, the Tuvan state folk ensemble. Her first recorded exposure came with the compilation Out of Tuva. In 1998, she released her album, Naked Spirit, followed by Stepmother City in 2000. Her music blends avant-garde jazz, electronica, and traditional Tuvan influences. She has performed globally and recorded over thirty albums, with notable works including Go to Tuva (2013) and Like a Bird or Spirit, Not a Face (2015).
