Good Medicine Festival 2025

Nov. 14 - 1548 Heights Blvd. Doors @ 6:30pm - Show @ 7pm - The Church at 1548 Heights

Nov. 15 - 1015 Holman St. - Doors @ 5:30pm - Show @ 6pm - Trinity Episcopal Midtown

Free Entry - Donations Appreciated - Link Below

The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival celebrates the depth and diversity of Native artistry with an all-Indigenous lineup of performers and composers. Featuring soprano Dr. Kirsten Kunkle (Mvskoke), bassoonist Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama), baritone Mark Billy (Choctaw), cellist Kiegan Ryan (Cherokee), violinist Laura Ortman (White Mountain Apache), composer/sound artist Raven Chacon (Diné), and host/composer Aryn Ward (Mvskoke/Yuchi), the festival highlights works by acclaimed Indigenous composers from 10 different tribes including Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate (Chickasaw), Joy Zickau (Seminole), Connor Chee (Diné), Anjelica Lindsey (Cherokee), Ian Cusson (Métis), Joy Harjo (Mvskoke), Ortman, Chacon, Kunkle, Wilson, Ryan, and Ward. From ceremonial songs and hymns to chamber works, opera excerpts, and experimental improvisations, every piece is Indigenous-composed and performed, creating a journey through what Native music was, is, and will become.

Performers

The Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival brings together an extraordinary group of Indigenous artists from across North America:

Dr. Kirsten Kunkle (Mvskoke) – Operatic soprano, composer, and advocate for new Indigenous works.
Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama) – Classical bassoonist and composer, committed to uplifting Native representation in chamber music.
Mark Billy (Choctaw) – Baritone vocalist and educator, performing operatic excerpts rooted in Chickasaw tradition.
Kiegan Ryan (Cherokee) – Composer and cellist performing his own works and collaborative works with soprano and piano.
Laura Ortman (White Mountain Apache) – Experimental violinist and composer, known for expansive improvisations blending electronics and strings.
Raven Chacon (Diné) – 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and sound artist, presenting a solo improvisation set of electronic soundscapes.
Aryn Ward (Mvskoke/Yuchi) – Composer, musician (woodwinds & percussion), and vocalist, presenting works from the Mvskoke Months Suite and traditional ceremonial/hymn pieces in both Mvskoke and Yuchi languages.

Featured Indigenous Composers

The festival showcases music exclusively by Indigenous composers, bridging traditional and contemporary forms:

Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate (Chickasaw) – Composer of operatic and classical works including Hózhó (Navajo Strong) and Loksi Shaali (Shell Shaker: A Chickasaw Opera).
Dr. Joy Zickau (Seminole) – Harpist and composer, presenting works such as Hotvlē and Everglades.
Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama) – Composer of Xitway for Unaccompanied Bassoon.
Dr. Kirsten Kunkle (Mvskoke) – Composer of Witch of November in the White City and Reclaim the Land and Hotgun on the Death of Yadeka Harjo.
Laura Ortman (White Mountain Apache) – Composer of new works for solo violin/electronics performing improvisations.
Raven Chacon (Diné) – Composer of groundbreaking works in experimental, noise, and contemporary classical traditions performing improvisations.
Aryn Ward (Mvskoke/Yuchi) – Composer of the Mvskoke Months Suite.
Kiegan Ryan (Cherokee) - Composer of Kanohelvsgi Tsunilosvhi and Memories of Love.
Connor Chee (Diné) - Composer of Coyotes for cello, clarinet, and piano.
Dr. Charles Shadle (Choctaw) - Composer of Choctaw Hymn 112
Ian Cusson (Métis) - Composer of Fire for 2 Voices and Piano - Text by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke)
Anjelica Lindsey (Cherokee) - Composer of Eroica