May 1-10—BARNARD— The sounds of Alaska will echo through the Upper Valley this May as BarnArts welcomes the internationally acclaimed Inuit group Pamyua for a special 10-day Global Music Residency from May 1–10. The residency will feature school workshops across the region and three public performances, culminating in an outdoor concert and celebration at Barnard town hall on Saturday, May 10, at 5 p.m.
Founded by brothers Phillip and Qacung Blanchett, Pamyua (pronounced búm-yo-ah, a Yup’ik Inuit word meaning “encore” or “play it again”) blends traditional Inuit drum and dance with the soulful harmonies of R&B. The group includes master drummer Ossie Kairaluak and singer-composer Karina Moeller, forming a dynamic ensemble known for powerful live performances that honor indigenous Alaskan culture while celebrating musical fusion and unity.
Pamyua will lead interactive workshops in seven local schools during their residency, engaging students in musical arrangement, Indigenous Alaskan and Arctic cultural traditions, and active participation through Yup’ik games and dances. Thanks to a grant from the Canaday Family Charitable Trust, the group will spend seven full days in schools—nearly double the length of previous BarnArts Global Music Residencies. Schools participating include Braintree Elementary, Maple Avenue Elementary, Hanover’s Bernice A. Ray School, Prosper Valley School, Sharon Elementary, and White River Valley Schools.
The wider community will also have the opportunity to experience Pamyua’s unique sound and message. Three public performances are scheduled:
May 1 at West Claremont Center for Music and Arts
May 3 at Next Stage Arts in Putney
May 10 for a special outdoor concert at Barnard Town Hall
The May 10 performance will begin at 5:30 p.m., with doors and food vendors opening at 5 p.m. Warm, comfort food will be available for purchase, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. In the case of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors. Students participating in the residency workshops will receive free tickets to the Barnard show.
Pamyua has performed around the world and contributed music to National Geographic, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. The group is considered a cultural treasure among Indigenous Alaskans and uses music and dance to promote understanding and connection across communities.
BarnArts launched its Global Music Residency program in April 2022 to bring international artists into K–12 central Vermont and New Hampshire classrooms. Now in its eighth cycle, the program reaches over 1,500 students each session through immersive cultural and musical experiences.
For tickets and more information, visit: barnarts.org.
