Mary Youngblood

Born in Sacramento, Mary Youngblood traces her lineage to both Seminole and Aleut roots. Pursuing flute studies represented a departure from Native American conventions that had long confined the venerable instrument to male players. Professional work began only 38 days after she obtained her first flute, an interval during which she also trained in vocals, guitar, and piano. Session singing followed, yet wider recognition arrived via her appearance in the PBS special American Indian Circles of Wisdom, which soon led to her participation on an identically titled audio cassette. She next completed the PBS documentary Healing the Water, then delivered her debut solo album, The Offering, on Silver Wave Records in 1998. Heart of the World arrived the subsequent year, succeeded by Beneath the Raven Moon in 2002, Feed the Fire in 2004, and Dance with the Wind in 2006, each issued by Silver Wave.