Index of 2026 Native Rhythms Performers

We are proud to be able to offer our guests 3 full days of free concerts with a program of world-class performers. The performers listed here are those currently under contract. Check our schedule page for the days and times of each performance.

(listed alphabetically)

2026 Native American Cultural Encounter

2026 Native Rhythms Headline Performers

Lowery Begay

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Lowery Begay is from the Dine’ (Navajo) Nations and was raised on the Navajo Reservations in New Mexico and Arizona. Lowery grew up learning the traditional Navajo ways from his grandparents. He has been dancing as a hoop dancer and Northern Style Fancy dancer for most of his life, and has been dancing, storytelling and playing the Native Flute professionally for over 15 years. 

Lowery competed at the World Hoop Dance contest every year at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona and holds the title of 2004 Schemitzun Hoop Dance Champion. In 2005, Lowery was part of a major production as a hoop dancer and fancy dancer called “Spirit: The Seventh Fire.” He has also performed with Brule, Lakota Dance theatre, Native pride dancers and Spirit of the Mist in Niagra Falls. 

Lowery has had the opportunity to share his gift around the world traveling and performing in Japan, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Belgium, Germany, England, and at the Grand Opening of the Native American Museum in Washington, D.C.

Rona Yellow Robe

2014 and 2016 Native American Music Awards (NAMA) Flutist of the Year, Rona Yellow Robe was born and raised in Havre, Montana and is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, Montana.

Rona is known for her powerful vocal ability, Native American flute style, and heart-filled presence. She picked up her first flute in 2002 and has been on a Musical and Spiritual journey ever since. It is by playing the Native American flute, which she refers to as her “other voice,” that she has become comfortable sharing with all audiences many aspects of her life that are personal and meaningful to her.

Rona Yellow Robe and Bruce Witham have been creating music together since May, 2008. They have recorded four albums, “Voice of the Trees” (2009), “The Gathering” (2012), a Christmas album entitled “Lighting Our Way” (2013), and most recently, their latest album, “Shoot For The Moon” (2016).

In 2010, Rona and Bruce received the Native American Music Awards nomination for Debut Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Songwriters of the Year for their song, and album “Voice of the Trees.” Rona and Bruce’s album, “The Gathering” was Nominated for Record of the Year by the 2014 NAMA. Also, Rona was nominated by the 2016 Native American Music Awards for Female Vocalist off their Christmas CD, “Lighting Our Way”, and then taking home, once again, Flutist of the Year for their latest CD “Shoot For The Moon”.

In 2019, Rona was awarded by the Native American Style Flute Association, “North American Indigenous Flutist of the Year,” for their song, “Caterpillar & Butterfly”.

Over the years they have played hundreds of events including festivals, art shows, museums, schools, weddings, memorial services, powwows, and holiday celebrations. They have honored military veterans and their families with their music, and have worked in close partnership with Multicare Hospice and CHI Franciscan Hospice in Washington State for 15 years.

They have begun expanding and honing their skills as music teachers and workshop facilitators.

We have always said, “We will perform for 5 or 2,000.” We have done both. It’s all about blessing people’s lives with the music.

Rona’s and Bruce’s Music is created with the Intention to inspire, uplift, and fill the listener with peace, hope, happiness, and visions of joy, love, and prosperity.

Website:  www.ronayellowrobe.net/

Painted Raven

Drawing inspiration from Mother Earth, Native culture, nature and wildlife, and combining the ancient Native American flute with today’s modern instruments and musical styles, is what creates the signature sound of Painted Raven, the Native American flute and World Music band featuring Annette Abbondanza, Holly Red Feather, and Kimberly Kridler.

Annette, Holly and Kim grace the stage as one of the Native American Flute world’s very few female trios and bring with it a unique warmth, combined with an energy and diversity that truly showcases the amazing musical versatility of the Native American Flute.

Painted Raven, created in 2002, has released twelve albums to date, each one slightly different from the last.  All original and all instrumental, featuring the Native American Flute as the lead instrument combined with many other modern and ancient instruments, as well as many diverse musical styles. Their music has received multiple awards, including the Native American Music Awards (NAMMY), Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA), One World Music Awards, Meet The Composer Award, and multiple music award nominations, as well as being aired on many local, national, and international radio and web broadcasts.

Painted Raven will be celebrating the release of their thirteenth album this November at the Native Rhythms Festival in Melbourne, FL. Their brand new album, titled Best of Times, features a bittersweet and joyous blend of the Native American flute and modern instruments which musically pieces together a beautiful collage of friendships, triumphs and losses, reflection, lessons learned, and gratefulness for the wonderfully fun times shared with friends and family through the years.  Best of Times and other Painted Raven’s CDs and USB albums will be available for sale and autograph at the event.

Additional information about Painted Raven is available online at: www.painted-raven.com

Painted Raven also appears on:

YouTube ( www.youtube.com/user/PaintedRavenMusic ) 
FaceBook ( www.facebook.com/PaintedRaven2 )

Mark McGourley

Mark McGourley is a seasoned performer and multi-instrumentalist with 40 years of professional experience. He started his career performing bass guitar, keyboards and lead vocals in a variety of cover bands throughout the Tampa Bay area. For the past 25 years he has focused more on his acoustic guitar and vocal abilities and has become a solid solo act performing at the top venues along the Sun Coast beaches.

More than 30 years ago Mark’s mother gifted him his first Native American flute and he has been playing and composing on it ever since. He has written several hundred tunes largely inspired by nature and many of these peaceful songs are based on melodies created with the NA flute. His original performances feature selections which are sure to soothe the soul from his debut CD titled “Universe Dance” as well as tunes from his upcoming second album focusing on NA flute, guitar and percussion.

In 2009, Mark performed as guitarist with world premier NA flutist R. Carlos Nakai and multi-Grammy nominee world percussionist Will Clipman. Over the past 15 years Mark has performed at several NA flute festivals and events in the U.S. and his performance of Kokopelli’s Dance is featured on the Live from the 2010 Native Rhythms Festival compilation CD along with many of the world s top NA flute artists. More recently he has performed as guitarist with multiple ISMA and NAMA award winner Steven Rushingwind’s Native Groove band and also with Grammy award recipient Robert Mirabal.

Mark has journeyed by motorhome several times all across the U.S. and has hiked very extensively throughout more than 30 of our country’s most beautiful National Parks. He has accumulated video and photo imagery of all these majestic places which he produced into a multi-media live show of his music synchronized with a video projection backdrop of his moving visual images of nature during his flute performances.

He was selected and performed at the 2012 INAFA Convention where he premiered his “Universe Dance Visual Concert” and officially released his debut CD. He also launched his first tour of the Midwest to promote this powerful live show, which continued along the eastern seaboard during the summer of 2013. Mark has performed for many years as both a featured artist and a headliner at the Native Rhythms Festival in Melbourne FL.

In 2013, two songs from Mark’s debut CD were nominated as finalists for the 2013 Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) in the Native Spirit category, along with Mark Holland and winner Jonny Lipford. The 45 minute studio version of his music synchronized to his nature video is currently available on DVD and his second CD “Celestial Spirits” is in progress.

Please register to attend Mark’s workshop “Playing Guitar with NA Flute” – date & time TBA – and stop to say hello at his vendor booth featuring CD’s, DVD’s.

Mark holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and a M.A. in Education from the University of South Florida.

For more more information and audio-visual demos please visit Mark s website at www.markmcgourley.com.

Earthsong Voyage

Earthsong Voyage is a world music duo based in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring Native American Style Flute player Jamie Empert and world percussionist Joe Empert. Jamie plays a variety of world flutes but has a special passion for the voice of the Native American Flute. Joe is a versatile percussionist who enjoys exploring instruments and rhythms from around the world and weaving them into the duo’s music.

As Earthsong Voyage, Jamie and Joe draw inspiration from the many voices of the Earth—from the natural world to the diverse cultures that shape our human experience. Their ever-evolving collection of original music has been described as ‘beautifully narrated compositions, flourishing with intelligent and fun performances’ that carries listeners to another place. The couple describe their music and philosophy this way: “Music has a remarkable ability to transport us on a profound journey through our minds and emotions, carrying us to places we’ve been and places we’ve only dreamt of. The beauty of music lies not only in its sound, but in the transformative voyage it offers to our souls.”

Their latest album, Echoes of Earth and Sky (March 2025) won the New Age Notes Radio Music Award for Best Flute with Instrumentation Album and two Global Music Awards Bronze Medals. It also received One World Music Radio’s Chrissie Sheppard Award for Best Album in May 2025 and reached #3 on the station’s Top 100 chart in July. Their debut album, Take Flight: Around the World on the Native American Flute (2019, under artist name Jamie Empert), includes the song “Peggy’s Cove,” which was nominated for Best Song, Solo Flute at the 2020 Native American Style Flute Awards.

Jamie also placed first in the Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players’ Competition at the 2018 Native Rhythms Festival, and performed with Joe as featured performers at the 2019 Native Rhythms Festival.

Jamie and Joe perform at events ranging from local city gatherings to regional powwows, cultural events, and major flute festivals and conferences around the United States. As a longtime married couple, they feel deeply grateful for the experiences they’ve shared, and their energetic, heartfelt performances reflect both their connection to each other and their enthusiasm for sharing music. They also enjoy teaching and will be offering two workshops at the festival in addition to their multiple performances throughout the weekend.

The duo’s music is available on all major platforms and on physical media, which will be for sale at the event.  Please visit www.earthsongvoyage.com for more information.

Ryan Harjo

Ryan Harjo is a renowned Muscogee (Creek) artist, musician, and storyteller whose work deeply honors the traditions of his Native American heritage. Based in Livingston, Texas, Ryan has dedicated over 30 years to crafting and playing Native American flutes, blending ancient techniques with his own innovative designs to create instruments that resonate with the soul of the land. As the heart of Harjo Flutes—a family-owned Native business—he and his kin travel cross-country, sharing handmade goods that celebrate Indigenous artistry, from intricately carved flutes to woven baskets and jewelry, fostering connections between cultures at powwows festivals, markets, and gatherings nationwide.

A former dancer whose graceful movements once graced powwows and ceremonies, Ryan now channels his storytelling prowess into performances that weave history, humor, and healing through melody and narrative. His flute melodies evoke the whispers of ancestors and the rhythms of the earth, inviting audiences to journey through tales of resilience and wonder. Whether performing at cultural events or teaching workshops, Ryan’s passion for preserving and evolving Creek traditions shines, reminding us that art is a living bridge to the past and a vibrant path forward.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ryan.harjo.2025

Sicanni

Sicanni Purizaca is a Musician who has been playing music for over 30 years . He is also a composer and he has recorded 7 albums so far and 4 of them are his own music . Sicanni comes from a musical family , most of his relatives either play or are related to music activities , music was always in the family . His main and favorite instruments to play are the Native Flutes and Drums while he can play the guitar and other instruments. He can play 7 different Native American Types of Flutes .

Sicanni is Originally from Peru and represents and performs the Traditional Inca Music and has participated in festivals , concerts , pow wows , gigs and music events in 25 of the 50 USA .   

Currently Sicanni Lives in NY state but works in Florida in the winter time , you can find Sicanni’s music and videos on his facebook page and  YouTube.

Find Sicanni on Facebook here:  www.facebook.com/Sicanni/

Find Sicanni on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/@sicannipurizaca2050

Sandi Horton

(Winner of 2025 Paula Ellis Memorial Flute Players Competition)

Sandi Horton is a Central Texas-based composer and musician specializing in Native American-style flutes (NAF). With a 20 year background as a professional classical flutist performing in regional orchestras, a woodwind quintet, and a jazz duo; she transitioned into Native American-style flute performance and composition in 2018. She often pairs her music with original poetry. The improvisational nature of the NAF, is enhanced with her technical mastery and structural composition. 

Sandi is a prolific performer, documenting over 100 live and virtual (Zoom) performances annually at venues ranging from the World Flute Society Convention to regional festivals like the Austin Avenue Art Fair, Palo Pinto Flute Festival, and Medicine Park Flute Festival; plus international events such as Majic Forest Art Festival in London in 2023, Silver Seas Cruise Concerts in New Zealand & Australia in 2024, Inchanted Journeys in Ireland in 2025.

Her original music is described as meditative, playful, and soulful. She utilizes more than 30 different Native American Flutes—made from various woods and ranging from bass to high registers—to achieve diverse tonal “voices”.

She currently performs in the duo Rhythm & Breeze alongside percussionist Deborah Brock. She is co-facilitator of the Heart of Texas Flute Circle.

Sandi has released five solo albums under her Native Flute Journeys project: 

  • Native Flute Journeys 1–3 (2018, 2020, 2022)
  • Native Flute Journeys 4 (February 2024) – Awarded “Best Album of February 2024” by Chrissy Shepherd.
  • Native Flute Journeys 5 (December 2024) – A holiday-themed album featuring original seasonal compositions.

Sandi played silver flute, alto and soprano recorders on four duo albums with her guitarist husband Jeff Horton as the Horton Duo.

Sandi’s approach to Native American-style flute is characterized by a blend of classical precision, improvisational nature-based themes, and the integration of spoken word poetry. Her compositions are primarily meditative and soulful, though they can also be playful. She frequently utilizes a variety of scales beyond the traditional pentatonic, including major, minor, modal, blues, Hirojoshi, Miyako-bushi, gypsy, and Spanish scales. She draws inspiration directly from her environment, stating that she hears songs during her daily “outdoor time” and translates these impressions into music.

Website:  nativeflute4.wordpress.com

Otter Oliver & CreeAtive Native

Otter is a champion of many American Indian dance styles. Otter will be performing the ‘Grass Dance’ at Native Rhythms this year. He is lead singer and drum keeper of his drum group ‘Red Boys’. They have won many contests throughout North America.

2026 Native American Cultural Encounter

Jim Sawgrass - East Meets West

JimSawgrass.com

Jim Sawgrass is a native Floridian of Muscogee Creek (Mvskoke) descent and living historian of the southeastern tribes of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He served on the Florida Indian Council from 1991-1995. Sawgrass has been sharing his knowledge of the Southeastern Native American tribes for over 30 years. 

As a child, he was always interested in history, building forts, and exploring the woods and nearby swamps. The outdoors was always, and continues to be a big part of his life. He became more involved with his Native American heritage by attending Pow Wows, Native festivals, and historical reenactments. He learned more about Native culture and history from many elders, outdoors-men, and reenactors he was surrounded by. He is also an Eagle Scout and applies his scouting skills to this day.

In 1988, Sawgrass began presenting programs professionally on Native American history and started the “Deep Forest Historical Native American Programs”. Since then, he has performed at places like schools, Pow Wows, state and national parks, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals and many other places around the U.S. He also been featured on many television networks such as History Channel, Travel Channel and Discovery Channel.

Katrina Fisher - Plains Tipi Encampment

Katrina Fisher, of the Canada-native Cree Nation, performed hoop dancing and lectured at a re-enactment encampment to teach about living in Northern tribes.

“I think we’re breaking stereotypes,” Fisher said. “It’s up to us to historically correct everything. You have to know where you came from to know where you’re going.”

Fisher hoop danced for event goers while her son, 21-year-old Otter Oliver, drummed and sang along. Fisher has been hoop dancing for 20 years.

“Everyone has their own style of dance,” she said.

She also explained Native American lodging, hunting and trapping, trading and bead work from the perspective of a Cree woman.

The lodging, which Fisher said takes from 15 minutes to half an hour to set up or tear down, was set up at the festival and many furs and bead works were displayed for the public.

Fisher attends the festivals with four of her eight children, who help with the encampment re-enactment.