Bringing the Sunshine: How Four Alaskan Sisters Coined a New Era of Bluegrass

The bluegrass world is no stranger to family bands, but few have taken the scene by storm quite like The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters. Originating from Alaska and currently taking their music across the country, this phenomenal powerhouse act is comprised of four sisters: Akulina (15) on guitar, Salima (13) on banjo, Cherylann (12) on upright bass, and Alaniya (10) on mandolin. Together, they fuse driving instrumentation with the kind of blood harmonies that only siblings can achieve.

What makes their rapid ascension even more extraordinary is that they are the first generation of musicians in their family. Their journey began traditionally enough with classical piano lessons at age five. However, a family trip to Florida during the pandemic completely flipped the script. Introduced to the raw, high-energy world of roots music, the sisters fell in love with bluegrass and began picking up traditional instruments one by one, teaching themselves largely by ear.

Fast forward to today, and the band has amassed over 350,000 social media followers and more than 110 million video views. Their digital success has translated seamlessly into a demanding touring schedule, racking up over 80 live shows in the past year alone. Their electric stage energy has earned them performances alongside roots legends and even led to two monumental guest appearances on the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

With the release of their debut studio album, The Sunnyside of Bluegrass, featuring vibrant renditions of classics like "Rocky Top" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," the sisters are proving that age is no barrier to traditional mastery. They are no longer just an up-and-coming novelty; they are a bona fide roots music force bringing a distinct, bright energy to the bluegrass circle.

🎵 The Musical Origin Story

Q: Since your parents do not have a musical background, what was the exact moment during that Florida trip where you all looked at each other and said, "We are starting a bluegrass band"?

A: Before our first bluegrass festival in Palatka, Florida, in November 2024, we were just playing music at home and at a few local events. After experiencing that festival, we fell in love with bluegrass and decided to fully commit to it. We attended four bluegrass festivals over the next month, and that’s really where our bluegrass journey began.

Q: You started your musical training in classical piano. How did transitioning from structured sheet music to learning bluegrass completely by ear shape the way you listen to and play together?

A: We had already learned a lot of bluegrass jam songs by ear before we started playing bluegrass seriously, so the transition happened gradually. The biggest adjustment was learning not to focus on every exact note like we did with classical piano. Bluegrass gives you more freedom to listen, improvise, and play by feel, and that helped us grow as musicians and learn to play together better.

Q: How did you decide who would play which instrument? Did you fight over the banjo or the mandolin, or did it happen naturally?

A: About six months before we started playing bluegrass, we were mostly just playing piano. At jams, Akulina saw other musicians playing guitar and really wanted to try it, so that was the first switch. After that, everything kind of fell into place naturally—Akulina stuck with guitar, Salima took banjo, Alaniya picked up mandolin, and Cherylann ended up on bass when we got one. By the time we went to our first bluegrass festival, it was already set.

Blending Alaska and the Bluegrass Belt
Q: Coming from Alaska, your band brings a unique geographic perspective to a genre heavily associated with the Appalachian region. Does the spirit or landscape of the Last Frontier influence your musical style or stage energy?

A: We don’t really think our sound comes from Alaska in a literal way, but our background definitely makes us unique. Moving from Alaska to Florida and discovering bluegrass through that journey is a big part of who we are. We’re still finding our own voice, but our path is what sets us apart.

Q: Your music infuses traditional elements with a bright, “Bakersfield-style” energy. How do you balance respecting the deep roots of old-time bluegrass while making the sound uniquely your own?

A: We really love playing traditional bluegrass songs and staying connected to the roots of the music, because that’s where everything started for us. At the same time, we also really enjoy growing as a band and writing our own songs, and exploring what our sound can become. For us, it’s not about choosing one or the other—it’s more about respecting the tradition while also letting our own style and experiences naturally come through when we play.

Sisterhood and the Stage
Q: Family harmonies are a sacred tradition in bluegrass. As sisters living and touring together, do you feel like you have an unspoken communication or “telepathy” on stage?

A: We’ve always done everything together since we were little, so we’re very close already. Being in a band together has made that bond even stronger because we’re constantly working through ideas and playing together. On stage, we can usually tell right away what each other is thinking just from a look, especially if something changes or doesn’t go as planned.

Q: You performed over 80 shows last year, including taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. What was going through your minds when you stepped into that famous circle for the first time?

A: It was super exciting. It honestly felt a bit like standing at the top of a cliff—nervous and full of anticipation, but also really excited at the same time. The first time especially, everything went by so fast and felt almost unreal, like, “Did that really just happen?” Even after stepping into that circle more than once, it still carries that same feeling every time—just a mix of nerves, excitement, and gratitude.

A: We love touring, so it doesn’t really feel like something difficult for us—it’s what we enjoy doing. It’s definitely different from what a lot of kids might be used to, but it feels normal to us because it’s what we’ve grown into. When we’re home for too long, it actually starts to feel a little strange because we miss being out playing shows and traveling together.

Studio & Future Horizons
Q: Your debut album, The Sunnyside of Bluegrass, has a great mix of driving instrumentals and heartfelt gospel hymns. What was your favorite track to record in the studio?

A: One of our favorites was “Y’all Come” because all four of us got to sing on the chorus, and it was just really fun and full of energy. We also love “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” because it’s such a heartfelt gospel song. We really enjoyed recording both of those in the studio.

Q: Social media played a massive role in sharing your music with millions of fans worldwide. How does it feel to see people from all walks of life connecting with old-time traditional music through their screens?

A: It’s amazing to see how many people who had never really heard bluegrass before—or thought it wasn’t something they would listen to—are now enjoying it through social media. It’s really cool to see traditional music reaching new audiences and connecting with people in a way we didn’t expect.

Q: You’ve already played the Opry and toured the country. What is the next big dream or goal on the horizon for the Sunnyside Sisters?

A: We’ve been really grateful for everything so far, but we still have big dreams ahead. We want to keep touring and growing, and hopefully bring our music back to Alaska and play there again for people at home. We also want to keep sharing bluegrass with new audiences and take it to even more places around the world.

Watching The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters perform, it is easy to forget that Akulina, Salima, Cherylann, and Alaniya are still at the very beginning of their musical journey. They have quickly evolved into an undeniable bluegrass force, carrying them all the way from their roots in Alaska to the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Yet, despite the bright lights and their rapidly growing fanbase, the sisters remain grounded in what matters most: family, faith, and the pure joy of making music together. As they pack up their instruments and look toward a future of national touring, one thing is certain—wherever these four sisters go, they are bound to keep audiences firmly on the sunny side of life.

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