Rassul Mukayev is a musician, actor, and content creator who lives and studies in Los Angeles. He masterfully combines playing the traditional Kazakh dombra with modern fingerstyle on the guitar, aiming to introduce global audiences to the rich culture of his homeland. We spoke with him about his journey to success, his values, and his plans.
Tell us how you started playing music as a child. What or who was your main source of inspiration?
I grew up in Kazakhstan, where music is part of daily life. The most powerful impression I had as a child was the sound of the dombra at family celebrations and concerts—it felt like it was “speaking” to me. I was inspired by both national kyuis (traditional compositions) and modern melodies. This blend encouraged me to pursue music: I wanted to preserve traditions while searching for my own contemporary sound. My first performances were at school; I quickly realized that the stage felt natural to me.
You play several instruments. Which was the first, and how did you master the traditional Kazakh dombra?
The dombra was the first—it was the beginning of my journey and my connection to the culture. Later, I added the piano to understand harmony better and develop my ear, and then the guitar, which gave me freedom in arrangements and working with popular repertoire. I mastered the dombra by studying classic kyuis and practicing systematic technique (right-hand work, strokes, pulsation). Now, I consciously mix the dombra with the guitar and piano to present its traditional timbre in a modern way.
In your work, you combine music, acting, and digital content. What prompted this multifaceted approach?
I always felt restricted by a single form. I see music as a story that is amplified by acting performance and visual language. Digital platforms allow me to deliver this story to a global audience: short formats, clip culture, live performances—all this helps build a bridge between cultures and generations. That’s why I’m developing in several directions at once.
Your mission is to introduce the world to Kazakh culture. What features and values do you consider most important to convey through your art?
Freedom and the “breath of the steppe,” respect for ancestors, strength of spirit, and the improvisational nature of the kyuis—this is what I carry into my performances. It’s important to me that listeners feel that traditional music can sound modern and emotional without losing its roots. Through creativity, I want to show that national identity and the global stage do not contradict but complement each other.
You create your own arrangements and covers. How do you choose the material, and what's more important to you—the spirit of the original or a new interpretation?
I choose themes that resonate with me personally—soundtracks and melodies that have room for a new idea. First, I preserve the “core” of the original—the melody and mood—and then I add my own touch: texture, rhythm, fingerstyle elements, and the dombra’s unique timbre. For me, the ideal is when the listener recognizes the piece but hears it anew.
You also teach guitar. What motivates you to share your knowledge, and how does it help you grow as a musician?
I love seeing a student’s “eyes light up” when they start to succeed. By explaining technique and musicality, I structure my own knowledge, growing in methodology and stage presence. I’ve often helped students overcome stage fright: we work on breathing, body awareness, and small “wins” in every lesson—which also helps me as a performer and actor.
You’ve achieved impressive results at contests like Golden Time Talent and the Charleston International Music Competition. Which of these achievements was the most significant for you and why?
Every competition has its value, but the Charleston International Music Competition became an important milestone: my name appeared in NBC and AP News publications, giving international validation to my work. This boosted confidence in my portfolio and showed that my work resonates beyond my country. Golden Time Talent 2023 gave me useful feedback and an understanding of how to present myself to a broad audience. Collectively, these milestones built my confidence and guided my next steps.
Performing on America’s Top Hitmaker is a big step. What emotions did you feel on stage, and what did you gain from that experience?
It was a powerful emotional experience: a mix of excitement and a sense of responsibility. I viewed the stage as a chance to represent not only myself but also my culture. The project gave me confidence, skills for working with the camera and pacing a performance, and an understanding of how to manage audience attention in a television format.
What are your plans for the near future? Do you have ideas for new projects that will combine all your talents?
I’m preparing an EP that will combine dombra + guitar + cinematic harmony. In parallel, I want to launch an English-language YouTube series on Kazakh themes (like “what is a kyui” in a modern reading) and a series of live performances in LA. I also plan to participate in an online contest and the Grand Finale to solidify my international recognition.
You live and study in Los Angeles. How does American culture influence your work, and does it help you find new approaches to promoting Kazakh culture?
LA is a place where different cultures naturally meet. Here, I learn the production approach, industry standards, and cross-genre collaborations. This helps me package Kazakh material in a way that sounds compelling to a global audience—from the live stage to digital formats.
How does the discipline you gained from practicing Taekwondo help you in your acting career? Are there any specific skills you transferred from one activity to the other?
Taekwondo gave me discipline, control over my body and breath, and the ability to maintain focus under pressure.
These skills directly translate to acting: physicality, working with impulse, and stage awareness. Even the choreography of fight scenes and a sense of movement rhythm prove very useful in front of the camera.
You mentioned your path to success. What were the main difficulties you faced as a young artist, and what helped you overcome them?
Relocating and starting in a new environment, self-doubt, and the need to rebuild myself. What helped me were routine and small daily steps: technique practice, rehearsals, and analysis. The support of my family and my belief in the mission—to represent my culture on a global level—helped me stay on course and not give up.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the world—a musician, actor, or director—who would it be, and what kind of project would you create with them?
I dream of working with Hans Zimmer to combine the timbre of the dombra with an orchestral cinematic sound. Among performers, I’d like to work with collectives that build bridges between tradition and modernity (for example, formats similar to the Silkroad Ensemble). I’d love to create a project where Kazakh melodies are showcased through a major international production.
