University of Montana student awarded American Indian Music Scholarship

Ali Archambult, 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 (AIMS) for 2023.

The $1,000 AIMS scholarship at NVMS is designed to empower American Indians in high school and college who are pursuing degrees in music in Montana.

After graduating from Browning High School, Archambult moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. After three years of collegiate work for her major in History, she 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."

Archambult 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 Archambult. "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."

She has been a member of the University of Montana Chamber Chorale for two years. This ensemble is the top touring ensemble at UM, and Archambult 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 Directors Association 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."

To learn more, visit northvalleymusicschool.org.