ABOUT
Pamyua was formed in April 1995 by brothers Phillip and Stephen Blanchett. The brothers stumbled upon a musical concept to blend Inuit drum/dance melodies with R&B vocal styling and arrangements. The duo immediately began sharing their performance around Alaska and collaborating with like-minded artists.
Later that year Ossie Kairaiuak permanently joined the group and in the spring of 1996 Karina Moeller permanently joined. Today the quartet works with world-class musicians from Alaska and Denmark and travels the world sharing their blend of cultural harmony.
Pamyua showcases Inuit culture though music and dance performance. The show is a platform to share indigenous knowledge and history. Their style derives from traditional melodies reinterpreted with contemporary vocalization and instrumentation. Often described as “Inuit Soul Music,” Pamyua has discovered their own genre.
Band members are proud to represent Indigenous culture. The group believes unity is possible though music and dance. Together, each member works to interpret Inuit traditions masterfully with joy and sincerity. The response to this message is tremendous as the group is a symbol of pride for Alaska’s indigenous people and to all who see them perform.
Pamyua’s performances aim to honor and share indigenous traditions through ceremony, songs, and dance. If you would like to book Pamyua for your event, please visit our contact page.
From left to right: Stephen (Qacung) Blanchett, Phillip (Ossie) Kairaiuak, Phillip (Kilirnguq) Blanchett, and Karina Moeller.
BEGINNINGS
When Phillip (Kilirnguq) Blanchett was 15 years old, he was watching his mother Marie Meade perform traditional Yup’ik dance for thousands of guests at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. As he stood alone backstage, he realized his future. It was in that moment that he knew he would lead a professional performance group and would call it, PAMYUA!
PAMYUA (pronounced bum-yo-ah) is a Yup’ik Inuit word meaning ENCORE or DO IT AGAIN!
Since that memorable day, Pamyua has performed in countless concerts worldwide, sharing Inuit music and dance. We are proud to honor Indigenous traditions, history, and storytelling in each and every performance. Many of our songs honor animals that we live with and hunt while others, like Bubblegum, honor the Indigenous value of humor. Our performances celebrate our environment, our history, and our way of life.
RECENT PROJECTS
Pamyua is proud to have been one of many indigenous partners to contribute to the National Geographic reality show Life Below Zero: First Alaskans. Pamyua scored the music for the trailer in addition to many original pieces that are played throughout the show. We are extremely honored to be working with a project that is full of great intention and respect for our Inuit relatives.
We have also composed original music for Discovery Channel’s show Flying Wild Alaska and performed and co-wrote the theme song for the PBS Kids show Molly of Denali.
For a list of upcoming events, please visit our main page.
RECOGNITION
Worldwide, Pamyua’s outstanding contributions to the arts are recognized by many for our work in music and cultural preservation.
“One of the 10 Greatest Alaska Artists of the Millennium.”
“The most famous Inuit band in the world.”
“A blizzard of interlocking harmonies.”
MEET THE ARTISTS
Phillip is an original co-founder of Pamyua. Originally from Mamterilleq (Bethel), he has family ties to Nunapitchuk, in addition to many communities throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. A proud husband and father, he now lives in Anchorage with his family.
Phillip takes great joy in his identity as a Yup’ik performing artist and his work to share the knowledge of his ancestors through music and dance.
Qacung is an original co-founder of Pamyua. He is the son of a strong Yup’ik Inuit mother who brought him up in the traditional ways of his Yup’ik ancestors; and a strong African-American father who taught him to be proud of his Black heritage. Qacung considers himself to be a global citizen whose Yup’ik and Black roots guide his leadership and artistic vision.
To see more of his work, visit qacung.com
Ossie - aka, Aassanaaq - is a hilarious Yup'ik dancer and prolific composer of Pamyua's most popular songs. The fun-loving Bubble Gum music video is his latest hit. Ossie was raised in Chefornak (pop. 418) and now lives in Anchorage.
He is a master Yup'ik drum maker and illustrator, leads a traditional Yup’ik dance group, and is a well known for his work throughout the greater Alaska Native community.
Karina Moeller is a passionate powerhouse vocalist. She loves to share music that represents her Inuit heritage. She was born and raised in Greenland and now lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. Karina composes and arranges music for Pamyua and performs together with the group for special occasions.
