UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA STUDENT AWARDED AMERICAN INDIAN MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP

North Valley Music School recognizes academic and musical path of Assiniboine student, Alicia Archambult

Ali, a soprano majoring in music at the University of Montana School of Music, has been awarded North
Valley Music School’s American Indian Music Scholarship for 2023.

After graduating from Browning High School, Ali moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana.
After three years of collegiate work for her major in History, Ali decided to audition to add a double major
in music. She has also been accepted into a top voice studio at UM and has begun her work on the
music curriculum.

“Music has done everything for me. I’ve gotten some of the best opportunities because of
my love for music,” says Archambult. “I’ve never felt more empowered and passionate about something
in my entire life. My biggest dream for myself and my fellow indigenous people is to create a space
where it’s normal for indigenous people to write choral music in our language and to show other
indigenous people like me that it’s possible to pursue their dreams in music and anything they put their
minds to.”

Ali is a proud member of the Assiniboine people in Fort Belknap, Montana, and was raised by her
grandparents in Browning, Montana. “I have always felt close to the Blackfeet people solely because of
my bond with music and the language,” says Ali. “Ever since I was little, I remember traditional music
being a part of our school life. My choir teachers at Browning changed my life with music.”

Ali has been a member of the University of Montana Chamber Chorale for two years. This ensemble is
the top touring ensemble at UM, and Ali is a valued member who toured for performances in England,
Germany, and Washington State, among other local/community performances.

“Our UM choirs need more Indigenous representation,” says Dr. Coreen Duffy, Director of Choral
Activities and President Elect of the American Choral Director Association’s NW Division. “Ali is a role
model to BIPOC students at UM and encourages them to join the choir and express themselves through
singing Ali’s pride in her identity as a member of the Fort Belknap Community radiates from her. She
deserves this scholarship so that she can continue to be a shining light to Indigenous students on
campus and beyond.”

The future of music is truly bright thanks to inspiring, talented individuals like Ali. The $1000 AIMS
scholarship at NVMS is designed to empower American Indians in high school who are pursuing
degrees in music in Montana. To learn more, visit northvalleymusicschool.org.