Van-Anh Vanessa Vo recently showcased her musical talent in a captivating Tiny Desk concert. Known for her risk-taking and unique blend of East and West musical styles, Vo delivered a mesmerizing performance highlighted by her rendition of Frenchman Erik Satie's Gnossienne No. 3 on the traditional Vietnamese monocord, dan Bau. Despite the instrument's single string, Vo skillfully manipulated it with a buffalo horn whammy bar to create haunting sounds reminiscent of an opera singer's phrasing.

A risk-taker from a young age, Vo pursued her passion for traditional music in a male-dominated field in Vietnam, eventually earning a master teacher's apprenticeship after three years of persistence. With a background as a California-based Vietnamese musician specializing in the đàn tranh zither, Vo has made significant contributions to various film soundtracks, including the Sundance best documentary and 2003 Academy Awards nominee "Daughter from Danang," and the award-winning documentary "A Village Called Versailles," which showcases her diverse musical capabilities.

Vo's Tiny Desk concert exemplified her innovative musical style, blending cultural influences seamlessly to create a truly unique and captivating performance that mesmerized the audience with its ethereal and emotive qualities.