Native Voices is the singing heart project for the founder, Larisa Mangione.  Larisa grew up in Pike, NY.  Pike is in rural Wyoming County, NY where there are still more cows than people.  Larisa grew up on a road with approximately five dairy farms.  Larisa’s favorite activity during her youth was trail riding her horse through the farm fields and singing at the top of her lungs.  Wyoming County, NY is the homeland of the Senecas who were part of the Iroquois Confederacy.

Fast forward several decades…….Larisa’s Best Friend, Krista Wing, lost her very brave battle with a rare form of Cancer at age 44.  As Larisa and her husband were traveling home from Krista’s Celebration of Life Service in Maine, Larisa looked at her husband and said, “It’s time for me to go for it.  Krista was only 44 years old.  We had so many nerdy girl bestie adventures that never happened because tomorrow isn’t granted.”  Larisa’s husband, Chris, looked at her and said, “I know what you are talking about, and go for it.  I support you.”   This was the official beginning of Native Voices.

After putting prayer into the universe, the following day, Native Hope, popped up in an advertisement on Facebook.  Larisa hastily sent a message and made a phone call to them.  After talking to the staff at Native Hope, she booked a plane ticket to Sioux Falls, SD, and made the three-hour drive to Chamberlain, SD  beginning the journey of a lifetime.

The purpose and mission of Native Voices are to provide free virtual voice lessons to Indigenous Singers throughout the USA.  Larisa grew up knowing the challenges that are created by living in a rural area.  Quality voice instruction can be costly and hard to attend due to travel times.  So many reservations are located in areas that are remote and the youth do not have the opportunity to pursue specialized musical training. Music is a vital part of our human soul and existence.  Every major life event, we celebrate with music.  The children who live on reservations deserve to have the same opportunities that their peers in other areas of America have.

Music is power.  Music is healing.  Music is our soul.  Access to quality music enrichment is a necessity for all.

Native Voices:  Every Voice Has a Song.

Native Voices is a registered non-stock corporation in Virginia and a recognized non-profit organization with the IRS.