Kalia Yeagel’s expressive and versatile musicianship is quickly positioning her at the forefront of a new generation of artists. Kalia grew up in Alaska, where long winters and strong, diverse communities have produced a music scene unlike any other. As a scholar of Appalachian Studies, she studied the rich heritage of the region with special interest in early country music’s pioneering female artists as well as approaches to transcribing old-time tunes. As a faculty member in the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University, she has the privilege of helping others love the music as much as she does.