STAR NAYEA~ Is Native Grammy Award recipient, for her contribution to "Sacred Ground" on Silver Wave records where Star Nayea recorded & released her version of a remake called, "Mountain Song". As well as being a past NAMA recipient for "Best Independent Recording, for Star Nayea's freshman EP release entitled "Somewhere in a dream."and "Best Songwriter of the Year" in 2008. Star Nayea's unplugged CD, "Silenced My Tongue", offers a musical heart wrenching journey, bearing activist notations, and political overtones, that protests the immense lack of humanity & equality that still exists, in this 21st century towards The First Peoples of North American ( Turtle Island) Blending Star's uncanny ability to tell a good story, centuries old in a rather undeniable mainstream manner in hopes to allow for the musics marketability. This contemporary Native Indigenous Artist possesses an innate ability to flat out move each listener..LIVE & in her recorded works, lyrical mini movies, and melodic manifestations of her Triumphant survival in this life. EARLY CHALLENGES From the very beginning, life would pose a challenge for this strong Native woman and artist. As an infant of two months, Star Nayea was taken away from her Native Indigenous birth family, as part of the 1950’s-70’s baby scoop perpetrated by the United States and Canada. Adopted through the Lutheran Social services of Detroit, Michigan. Where Star Nayea was then placed into an extremely abusive nonnative family, and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, and throughout Michigan. Fortunately, at an early age Star was able to escape from that abuse & her adoptive family through music, as she began her own personal healing through music, to begin a life of her own. Survival and music would play a huge part in Star's overcoming adversity. To this day, Star Nayea still searches, and Prays to one day be reunited with her Native Indigenous birth family. Growing into a young woman, she was surrounded by the Motor City Rock ‘n’ Roll scene. With that famed MOTown sound all rolled into one good musical party!! This would inevitably hand Star Nayea her unique and undeniable soulful style. Star began to tear up the stages in Detroit! Moving on to Austin, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Phoenix, New Orleans, and Toronto just to name a few. MUSICAL COLLABORATIONS Star has had the pleasure of working with many highly accomplished Native American Artists such as Chuck Billy and Bay area famed band, TESTAMENT.. then moved on to record with, Robbie Robertson, Robert Mirabal, Ivan Neville, Keith Secola. Star has performed with, Mato Nanji of Indigenous, Pura Fe, Rita Coolidge,Buffy St. Marie, Derek Miller, Ulali, Bill Miller,Joanne Shenandoah.. As well as serving as a National opener for such huge acts as Mr. Willie Nelson, serving as an opener for Tommy Shaw & Super 80's rock group Styx, Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship, While rockin the house opening for such acts as Cinderella, Poison..While living In New York for more than two years, Star had the pleasure of a few jams’ sessions with Todd Wolf, (former Guitarist for Sheryl Crow). Thanks to a surprising twist of fate, one of Star's Nayea's very first professinal jobs when she started her music career back in 1995. Star had the great pleasure of working with famed, National West Coast heavy metal band"Testament." The group’s front man, ‘Chuck Billy,’ is from the Pomo Nation, and Star's voice appears on two tracks of their CD, “LIVE AT THE FILMORE”. The album was recorded live, at the Filmore in San Francisco, in front of thousands of Testament’s screaming fans. Star refers to that experience as, “a rush I will never forget.” STAR SHINING BRIGHT Broadway style stage experience: In 1997 Star Nayea received rave reviews, as one of the lead vocalists in an all Native, Broadway style production entitled "TRIBE." Which made its debut for three weeks, at the Ordway Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Also in 97, Star was invited by the infamous Canadian playwright, Thompson Highway, to perform alongside Jani Lauzon & other widely known Canadian aboriginal artists in his highly acclaimed, Broadway fashioned play, "ROSE". In that same year... Star Nayea was a featured as a guest vocalist on "Robbie Robertson's" Grammy Nominated and Juno Award winning album, "Contact from the Underworld of Redboy”, on Capital Records. The two tracks Star's voice embellishes are, ‘Making a Noise in this World’, and ‘Unity Song’. A memorable moment that year for Star, was when she accompanied legendary Robbie Robertson onstage at the 1st Annual Native American Music Awards, held at the Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut. An opportunity of a lifetime, she performed alongside Robbie Robertson & Rita Coolidge, ‘Making a Noise in this World’. Star was instructed by Robertson that evening to let loose on her vocals... Only the way Star Nayea can! She quickly won over the audience’s approval as a Powerhouse Native vocalist to watch out for! The Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, held in Salt Lake City Utah, featured Star Nayea's voice! Unsuspecting audiences around the world, could hear Star Nayea vocals featured on the original tracks from Robertson's 97 release. In 1998, Star join forces with Native America's own Keith Secola. Quickly becoming an honorary member of the Wild Band of Indians. Touring around our great Nation & Canada, with Keith & the Wild band for about two years. The 1999 Sundance Film Festival was a wonderful experience as well for Star Nayea, as she performed with her long time friends, Keith Secola & Derek Miller, giving the Sundance film festival, a performance to remember them by. In certain circles today, it is said... That evening’s performance, four years ago… Is still receiving raves reviews. Including comments from Robert Redford himself, who remembers it as a Sundance affair not to be soon forgotten. In 1999, Star Nayea quickly caught the eye of Native America's magnetic and highly accomplished artist, Robert Mirabal. Star toured with Mirabal for over a year. Then, in the spring of 2000, Robert invited Star & Rare Tribal Mob, to perform on one of the main stages at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for a high energy performance that enlightened the festival crowd. December 2000, Star appeared as a featured guest artist/backing vocalist on Mirabal's highly acclaimed PBS special “Songs from a Painted Cave”, recorded live at the FoxWoods Casino, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut. In the spring of 2001, Star Nayea gained thousands of new fans of her own, based on her powerful appearance & performance in 'Caves.' This would prove to be great timing for Star's solo efforts, as 'Painted Caves' was released Nationwide, on PBS stations around the country. ‘Caves’ is also available on Video & DVD. Star as well as the full performance can also be heard on the highly acclaimed release of, ‘Songs from a Painted Cave’ CD, available on Silverware Records. In 2000, Star launched her own freshman solo effort, "Somewhere in a Dream.'… in 2001, at the Sandia Casino, located on Rainbow Road, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Star Nayea found her pot of gold. That evening she took home the award & honor for "Best Independent Recording," At the 4th Annual Native American Music Awards!! Over the years,.. Star Nayea and her band have had the pleasure of touring Nation wide, along with many appearances in Toronto, Canada. Star has had the honor of playing a highly respected musical event called TRADITION there. This widely recognized event has since blown up into a huge nationally recognized event. Elaine Bomberry's... REZ BLUES. Star has performed at' Rez Blues' three times now. Additionally, appearing at the Silver Dollar in downtown Toronto, and more recently appearing at “HEALEY'S”, Jeff Healey’s, very own blues club in Toronto, which hosted Rez Blues last year. In October of 2002, Star Nayea, having quite the fan base in Canada, was invited by long time friend, and renowned Native Actor of stage & film, Gary Farmer, to tape a live performance & interview for Gary's Canadian based late night variety show."Buffalo Tracks"(which can be viewed on Star's website, in the video section). Star's appearance on Buffalo Tracks was aired across Canada in December, 2003. Accompanying Star Nayea on guitar for that appearance was Juno award winner & long time acquaintance,Derek Miller. In February 2002, Star Nayea and her LA based band played a show at legendary comedian, Dan Akroyd’s House of Blues. Needless to say…Star Nayea & the guys rocked the house with three of her Native American Music Award winning songs. On July,23rd 2002 Star Nayea, coming to yet another ground staking point in her career, served as the opener for the legendary 80's super group, Tommy Shaw & STYX at Casino Viejas in Alpine, California. As Star & her band performed a 30 minute set to the STYX audience, who had never heard of Star Nayea, she undoubtedly & completely won them over. Tommy Shaw was left with an awesome impression of what this Native woman artist is capable of doing and gave her high praise. Star Nayea Started off 2003, by performing at the 64th annual American Indian Film Festival, held in San Francisco, California. It was a huge honor for Star to appear at such an established Native American Institution. February 2003, Star Nayea along with her LA based band, performed at the VIP party for the 2003, First Americans In The Arts Awards ceremony. In April 2003, Star was invited to appear, for two knock out performances at the New Orleans Jazz/Heritage festival. It was stated to be one of the biggest crowds for Indian Village to date. Star also appeared on one of the Main Stages shortly after. Star Nayea CD's flew off the shelf at the VIRGIN MEGASTORE, where Star signed autographs after each performance. Oct 1st, 2003, Star Nayea held the high honor as serving as the only talent for 2003's Prestigious Celebration of Diversity Awards, held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, in conjunction with The Producers Guild of America. Star Nayea wowed that Industry crowd, while proving once again, without doubt, the path that this First American powerhouse female entertainer is on. AUGUST 2004 STAR NAYEA films her concert for Rez Bluez TV in Toronto. While there performing @ PLANET INDIGENUS. A world wide concert event that came to the shores of Ontario right @ the Harbourfront Centre. SEPT 2004 STAR NAYEA & HER BAND OPENS NMAI National Museum of the American Indian In Washington, DC. On the National Mall at the Four Directions Stage where Star and her band blew the crowd away. DECEMBER OF 2005 REZ BLUEZ TV DEBUTED ON APTN TELEVISION NETWORK Across the country as well as debuted on BRAVO NETWORK in the spring of 2006. Where Star Nayea was not only featured as a blues diva but also made her debut has one of the musical hostesses for REZ BLUEZ TV For the better part of ten years, Star Nayea has appeared ALL across Indian country at Casino's, Native Music festivals. Star Nayea carries herself with an abundance of undeniable power, wisdom, and emotion that delivers....... Every time! GIVING BACK TO THE YOUTH.. From 2004 - 2014 Star Nayea has continued the Concerts, but took time to slow down the touring to raise her own Child. In doing so Star Nayea Created her own Production Company Ravens Last Laugh Productions, that allowed Star launched a Music & Film & Arts Production company, to serve as a Music Mentor to all Native Youth. Which also doubles as wellness & prevention all over indian country. Allowing Star visit communities all across Indian country with her motivational speaking, & wellness programs. Sharing & singing her stories with the youth & listens to their personal struggles & hopeful dreams. Truly an inspiring moment to watch Star Nayea in action while being embraced by the youth she reaches out to. Star's personal triumphs, are reflective in her way of life… Enjoy !!!!