Eight singers from six countries took part in Dimash Qudaibergen’s production project Voice Beyond Horizon. The winner of the show was Kazakhstan’s Nurzhas Sadyrbayev. Chinese singer Cai Chengyu and Malaysian vocalist Jeryl Lee also finished among the top three.

The DimashNews editorial team spoke with the project’s finalists about the show, working with Dimash, their plans, and their dreams.

CAI CHENGYU (CHINA)

What inspired you to join Voice Beyond Horizon? As a professional opera singer, did you have any doubts or hesitation before stepping into this new format?

Dimash is an artist I truly admire. Many years ago, we had a wonderful collaboration in China, so I really wanted to come and participate in the filming of this program in his home country.

Before that, I imagined Kazakhstan as a beautiful country and Dimash’s homeland, but everything else existed only in my imagination.

Two years ago, I traveled through the Hexi Corridor, the starting point of the Great Silk Road. Kazakhstan is one of the key countries along this route, and the opportunity to experience local traditions firsthand, immerse myself in its culture and history, and meet warm and welcoming Kazakh people left a deep impression on me after the program. That was what attracted me here in the first place.

In my work, I often encounter projects that combine different genres, and they usually involve many adjustments and changes. But every time I step onto the stage and see the audience, I realize it is all worth it. That’s why I always look forward to new experiences and challenges.

When performing pop music on the show, did you have to significantly adjust your usual operatic vocal technique? What did that feel like?

Whenever performing music of different styles — especially when using microphones, in-ear monitors, and other equipment — adjustments are always necessary.

I need to preserve my own style of singing while adding new musical elements to achieve balance. That is both my task and my constant goal. It’s a challenge — and I enjoy challenges.

You tried many different musical styles throughout the program. Which of them felt like a breakthrough or a completely new experience? Will you continue performing this kind of music at your concerts, and what new styles would you like to explore?

Although I had worked with rap artists before, I was always responsible for the melodic parts. This time, I tried rapping on an official stage for the first time, and I really enjoyed the experience.

For me, the most important criteria when choosing music are quality and whether it makes people want to listen again and again. I don’t divide music strictly by genre. If I believe a piece is truly worth performing, I’m ready to sing it.

Your duet with Nurzhas in the final became one of the brightest moments of the show and conveyed friendship and artistic understanding beyond borders. Did you become friends during filming? What impressions did this international collaboration leave on you?

Nurzhas is a wonderful friend.

Although we speak different languages, while communicating with him I could see sincerity in his eyes, and his music confirms that sincerity.

I hope he will be able to visit China in the future and that we will have many opportunities to work together again.

You have known Dimash for many years. As a professional musician, what do you think has changed in his artistry and stage mastery since Singer? And what has remained unchanged in him as both a performer and a person?

Dimash is an incredibly gifted artist.

I believe he can perform any style brilliantly, and his stage performances continue to prove that.

From the very first time I saw him on stage, I felt sincerity in his music — he simply and genuinely shares himself with every audience member.

An artist like that cannot be insincere in real life. In our communication, he has always been modest, polite, and easy to talk to.

During the show, you combined the roles of singer and host. Did those roles interfere with each other? Did the workload affect your voice? How did you manage to stay balanced and energized?

Being a host was also a completely new experience for me.

I really enjoyed preparing for each episode and reflecting on it afterward. It allowed me to fully immerse myself in the filming process, and that feeling of inspiration helped me maintain my energy.

If you had the opportunity to collaborate again, who would you like to work with? And if you were to choose an operatic duet, which classical aria would you prefer?

Every participant in this project had their own unique style, and each time they stepped onto the stage, it felt inspiring to me.

There is a saying that we become better by learning from others, and for me this project became a great opportunity to broaden my horizons.

We all became friends, and if the opportunity arises, I would love to meet and work with every one of them again.

As for opera, the possibilities are endless: from famous arias such as Nessun dorma and La donna è mobile, to duets like Libiamo ne’ lieti calici and Au fond du temple saint, as well as octets, nonets, and even larger ensembles.

I think the cast of our show could actually stage a whole opera together (laughs).

Looking back on your trip to Kazakhstan for the filming of the show, what touched you the most? What stayed in your memory?

Every stop on this journey became a new experience for me.

As I mentioned before, Kazakhstan is a beautiful country with kind and open-hearted people.

In Turkistan, we visited the ancient city of Otrar and connected with history firsthand.

In Aktau, we saw the Bozzhyra Gorge and Bokty Mountain, which is featured on Kazakhstan’s 1,000 tenge banknote. We even tried searching for fossils from the ancient sea in the canyon.

In Almaty — the city of apples — we visited the breathtaking Kaindy Lake and received a warm welcome in a local village.

In Astana, we experienced the city’s modern urban landscape, visited the magnificent opera and ballet theatre, and met Chinese workers involved in the construction of the metro system.

All of this left a huge impression on me.

But most importantly, all the participants shared this unforgettable journey together.

In just over twenty days, we became true friends.

Music connected us — singers from different countries speaking different languages.

I will keep these beautiful memories forever and firmly believe that we will meet again.

JERYL LEE (MALAYSIA)

Please share your emotions and thoughts at the moment Dimash announced your name as one of the award recipients.

I never thought I would make it into the top three because every participant on the show was incredibly talented.

When Dimash announced my name, I felt both shocked and overwhelmed with emotion.

At the same time, I was sincerely grateful to have been chosen and recognized among so many amazing artists.

Your final performance was truly magical, emotional, and at the same time powerful. Why did you choose this particular song? Please tell us about the rehearsal process and your collaboration with Princ for the duet performance.

We had two options for the finale: one song in Mandarin and one of Princ’s songs.

In the end, we chose Princ’s song because we felt it was more powerful and suited the grandeur of the final performance better.

Princ even asked his friend to help translate the lyrics into English, which made the performance even more special.

We had a lot of fun working together and genuinely enjoyed every moment of performing it.

Please tell us a little about yourself. Where did you study, and who were the teachers and mentors who influenced your musical journey?

I studied in Malaysia but left school early to focus entirely on my music career.

Without a doubt, my biggest mentor has been my mother.

She introduced me to music because she herself loves singing.

When I was seven years old, I started participating in singing competitions, and my mother took me everywhere so I could perform and compete.

Over time, people in the industry began to notice me and invited me to appear on television programs.

I feel incredibly fortunate because my mother has guided and supported me throughout my entire musical journey.

You are still very young, but have some of your musical dreams already come true?

I think many of the things I once dreamed about have already become reality, and I’m very grateful for that.

However, my biggest dream is still to have my own concert tour around the world.

I continue to work hard and keep visualizing this dream, hoping that one day it will become real.

Was this your first visit to Kazakhstan? What surprised you the most, what did you enjoy most during your travels, and were there any challenges?

Yes, this was my first visit to Kazakhstan, and I think it is an incredibly beautiful and fascinating country.

The landscapes, the people, the food, and the culture — everything was amazing.

I didn’t face any major difficulties, except having to adjust to the changing weather while traveling between cities.

Other than that, I had an incredible time.

Waking up at 5 a.m. to get ready was a little difficult, but every moment was absolutely worth it.

Looking back, how did you end up joining this project?

I think it was simply fate.

I’m very grateful to Dimash for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.

Were you familiar with Dimash’s work before participating in the show? Do you see any similarities between your musical approach and his artistic style?

Yes, absolutely.

His vocals and stage performances are truly powerful and phenomenal.

I was fortunate enough to see him perform live, and every single time it gave me goosebumps.

I think there are some similarities in the way we approach music.

Would you like to perform a duet with Dimash in the future? If yes, what song would you choose?

Of course!

It would be a huge honor for me to perform a duet with Dimash one day.

Honestly, I don’t know yet which song I would choose, but simply having the chance to share the stage with him would feel like a true blessing.

What are your immediate plans, as well as your long-term dreams and aspirations?

Right now, I’m working on new music and preparing for future releases.

I’m also hoping to hold my own concert next year, and I’m really excited about that.

In the long term, I want to continue growing as an artist, share my music with more people around the world, and hopefully make my dream of an international concert tour come true.

The format of the show is very different from most music competitions. What made this experience unique and exciting for you?

One of the most special parts of this experience was the opportunity to travel to many beautiful places and experience Kazakhstan’s culture and traditions.

It was much more than just a music competition — it was also a cultural journey.

To be honest, I already miss Kazakhstan!