Despite her absence from the music scene since the 2000s, Hang Tianqi says she never feels too far away from the stage. [Photos provided to China Daily]

During her absence from the music scene, Hang has been conducting vocal training for young students at her music school in Shanghai.

"I still have shows from time to time so I never feel too far away from the stage. My role as a teacher also keeps me updated about the latest trends in the music scene. In fact, I even find inspiration from my young students," she says.

Born into an intellectual family, Hang was introduced to music by her father, an electronic engineer who played the vinyl at home and made her an electronic organ. She recalls how her father loves listening to classical music, especially Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's creations, because of his study experience in the Soviet Union.

Recalling the milestones in her illustrious career, Hang says that she will never forget the day she applied to the CCTV National Young Singers Competition.

"Before the CCTV National Young Singers Competition, I had never participated in any singing competition because I didn't believe that art could be judged," she says.

Hang, who was then a 22-year-old vocal student of the Beijing-based Capital Normal University, chose to compete in the pop music category as she wanted to challenge herself - she grew up learning traditional Chinese folk songs and classical music.

But she almost failed to submit her application as she arrived late at the office. Thankfully, a familiar face helped her out.