Dr. Heidi Aklaseaq Senungetuk earned a doctoral degree in ethnomusicology in 2017 at Wesleyan University, where she focused on Inupiaq music and dance. Following the completion of her doctorate, Dr. Senungetuk served McGill University as its first postdoctoral researcher in Indigenous Studies. She earned two degrees in violin performance at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Michigan School of Music, before holding positions as a violinist with the Louisiana Philharmonic of New Orleans, the Tulsa Philharmonic, the Breckenridge Music Festival in Colorado and the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.
Currently, Dr. Senungetuk is the University of Alaska Anchorage’s first postdoctoral fellow in Alaska Native Studies. Her inspiration to study ethnomusicology stems from a commitment to create representations of Indigenous art forms in the university academic setting. Her main
goals as a professor include building mentorship for indigenous students and shaping a positive campus learning environment for all scholars to develop a deeper understanding of Alaska Native cultures.
Dr. Senungetuk is the daughter of Ron and Turid Senungetuk and granddaughter of Helen and Willie Senungetuk, who were originally from Wales (Kiŋigin). Heidi grew up in Fairbanks, where her father founded the Native Art Center and was head of the Department of Art at the University of Alaska.