A classical education

Born in Chamdo city, the Tibet autonomous region, Han was introduced to music by her mother, a Tibetan folk singer. Her father, an ethnic Han, died when she was 6 years old. Growing up with her grandmother in Beijing, Han was admitted to the PLA Academy of Arts to study singing in 1995. Later, she was trained at the China Conservatory of Music by her vocal teacher Zou Wenqin.

"When I listened to Han Hong singing, I was instantly impressed by her wide vocal range. She has the talent to sing, and surprisingly, she can also write songs," says Zou, 80. "Now she is heading in a new direction as a composer of instrumental works. She never stops pushing boundaries as a musician."

As well as announcing her new album, Han also invited pianist Chen Sa to premiere her piano composition, Homes, which will be recorded on her second instrumental album.