There’s bluegrass, and then there’s the Sunnyside way.
Inside the sisters
Four sisters—Akulina, Salima, Cherylann, and Alaniya—bring a sound that is as bright as their name and as lively as the stages they grace. From the first note, their music carries the warmth, optimism, and joy of a family playing together, yet every harmony, every instrumental flourish, is polished far beyond their years. Their style fuses Bakersfield bluegrass, gospel roots, and contemporary flair into a sound that feels at once classic and entirely their own.
Their story began not with guitars or banjos, but with classical piano. Around the age of five, each sister began lessons in their Alaskan home, learning the discipline, precision, and ear for harmony that would become the backbone of their future sound. They played piano for years, exploring melodies and developing the musical instincts that would later define them—until two years ago, when they discovered bluegrass and took up guitar, banjo, upright bass, and mandolin. Primarily self-taught, yet guided by some of the top instructors in bluegrass and country, they quickly turned a newfound passion into expert-level musicianship.
Remarkably, the sisters are first-generation musicians, building everything from the ground up with no family background in music. The dedication, talent, and drive required to master their instruments and hone their harmonies have made them a standout in the bluegrass community—and a force to be reckoned with far beyond their years.
Since launching their social media presence in June 2025, the Sunnyside Sisters have captivated over 350,000 followers and amassed millions of views, with clips that highlight both their technical skill and their infectious charm. In the past year alone, they performed more than 80 shows across the country, including two appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, quickly establishing a national following that spans generations. Fans are drawn not only to their musical prowess but to the energy and joy they bring to every stage—whether a festival crowd of hundreds or a viral video watched by thousands online.
Their performances are as varied as they are dynamic. From driving instrumentals that leave audiences breathless, to heartfelt gospel hymns, to inventive takes on country classics, the Sunnyside Sisters deliver a world-class, family-friendly show every time. Their stage presence is commanding yet warm, fun yet polished, proving that age is no barrier to artistry, passion, or professionalism.
And yet, for all their rapid success and national recognition, the heart of the Sunnyside Sisters remains simple: four sisters, playing music they love, sharing it with the world, and bringing a little sunshine wherever they go. They are not just a band. They are a phenomenon in the making. And they are only just beginning.
Akulina Shamanov
15 years old
Akulina Joy Shamanov plays guitar, sings lead and harmony, and serves as the bandleader of the Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters. At just 15 years old, she has already performed roughly 250 shows, including appearances at the legendary Grand Ole Opry.
Akulina is also gaining recognition for her vocals. She was nominated for JMA Vocalist Under 18 and is a 2026 IBMA Momentum Vocalist nominee, an exciting recognition of her growing presence in bluegrass music.
She began her musical journey on piano at age five before discovering the guitar, which quickly became her main instrument. She also plays fiddle, mandolin, bass, and banjo, although guitar and fiddle are her primary instruments in the band. One of her signature fiddle pieces is “Ashokan Farewell.”
Akulina performs on both Collings Guitars and Gallagher Guitars and brings a Martin D-18 as a backup guitar. She uses D’Addario XS phosphor bronze strings and a BlueChip TP 60 pick, and she is known for obsessively checking her instruments to make sure everything is just right before playing.
As the bandleader, Akulina helps lead rehearsals, shape arrangements, develop set lists, and guide the Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters’ overall sound. She focuses closely on timing, harmony, energy, and making sure every performance runs smoothly. Her musical influences include bluegrass legends Alison Krauss and Doyle Lawson, while artists such as Lauren Daigle and Stella Lefty also inspire her as a vocalist and performer. Drawing inspiration from both traditional and modern bluegrass, as well as other styles of music, Akulina is developing her own sound and approach to singing, songwriting, and performing.
She is currently working on more than a dozen original songs and strives to write music that energizes audiences, inspires creativity, and connects people through story, harmony, and feeling.
Offstage, Akulina is funny, friendly, and full of personality. While she may appear focused and serious during a performance, she is quick to make jokes, pull funny faces, and laugh at herself. She enjoys reading historical fiction and mysteries, writing songs, and spending time with her sisters. Her quirky habits include humming while practicing, experimenting with harmonies, and sometimes overthinking every little detail—but she always keeps things fun.
Her favorite foods include ice cream, pizza, radishes, noodles, and soup, and she enjoys mango juice and water. She loves mornings for running and getting things done, afternoons for practicing music or completing schoolwork, and evenings for walks, baking, or watching movies with her sisters.
Being homeschooled allows Akulina to balance academics with her busy musical career, although math—especially geometry—is definitely not her favorite. Her daily life is a mix of music, school, songwriting, social media, creative work, rehearsals, and preparing for upcoming performances.
If she weren’t pursuing music, Akulina would consider performing with the U.S. Navy Band’s Country Current or spending more time baking and creating in the kitchen. Whether through music, food, or humor, she loves bringing joy to other people and seeing audiences respond to what she creates.
Her long-term goal is to help grow the Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters into a full-time national touring group and perform on major stages such as Red Rocks and the CMA Awards. To Akulina, success isn’t defined simply by the number of shows she performs—it is about the connections she creates with an audience and the energy she shares through music.
She wants every listener to leave feeling inspired, energized, and entertained—one chord, one laugh, and one perfectly timed harmony at a time.
Fun Facts
Favorite Color: Navy Blue
Favorite Instruments: Guitar and fiddle
Favorite Guitars: Collings Guitars and Gallagher Guitars
Favorite Singers/Artists: Lauren Daigle and Stella Lefty
Salima Shamanov
13 years old
She is homeschooled, balancing music, learning, and hobbies, though spelling can be a challenge. While she’s energetic, silly, and always making faces, she also has her quiet moments and likes going to bed earlier than her sisters—sneaky, right? Her humor, high energy, and creativity make rehearsals fun and performances memorable, whether she’s cracking jokes on stage, sneaking snacks, or tuning a banjo one more time just because she can. Salima’s long-term goals include continuing to grow as a musician, performing at major venues and festivals, and helping the band become a full-time national touring act. She hopes her playing, energy, and humor inspire audiences while keeping every show fun, lively, and full of laughter.
Fun facts: Favorite color; blue Favorite Instrument; banjo Favorite banjos; Deering
Cherylann Shamanov - The Upright Bass player
12 years old
Cherylann Shamanov plays bass for the Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters and brings a steady, grounding presence to the band—whether she looks like it or not. At 12, she has already performed on stages such as the Grand Ole Opry, standing on the far right with her bass, focused and calm, keeping everything right where it needs to be. She started on piano and picked up the bass about a year ago, quickly finding her place in the band. She enjoys walking bass lines and slower, driving songs like “Blue Side of the Mountain” and “Clinch Mountain Backstep,” where she can really settle into the groove. While she may not be moving around much (because… bass), she’s always locked in, watching her sisters and keeping everything together. On stage, Cherylann is serious, focused, and has what the band calls her “bass face.” But if you look closely, you’ll catch little moments—like a quick smile, or when she laughs at herself after a mistake and immediately looks over at Akulina… who is definitely already looking back. Then she just keeps going like nothing happened. Calm. Professional. Totally planned (not really). Off stage is where things change completely. Cherylann goes from quiet and focused to talking nonstop—like nonstop. She makes funny faces, switches into random accents (including a very committed English one), and keeps everyone laughing with her chaotic energy. One of her classic moments is putting her sparkly hat on her head and then asking, completely seriously, “Where is my hat?” as if it just disappeared. She also loves startling people, acting dramatic for no reason, and being just unpredictable enough to keep her sisters on their toes. When she’s not playing music, Cherylann loves reading—especially historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery—and could easily spend all day on her bunk bed with a book. She also enjoys drawing, running, playing outside, and playing games like chess. She likes having a routine and staying organized (more than her sisters), but still manages to be one of the most chaotic people in the house when she feels like it. Food-wise, she’s all about comfort and favorites—creamy potato soup, popcorn, mango ice cream, and omelets with hot sauce. She mostly sticks to water, simple and reliable, just like her playing. Even though she may not always be the loudest on stage, Cherylann is a huge part of what makes the band work. She’s steady, observant, and always exactly where she needs to be—while somehow also being one of the funniest and most unexpected personalities off stage. Fun Facts: Favorite color; violet Favorite instrument; Bass Favorite Bass; Kay
Alaniya Shamanov
10 years old
Alaniya has her playful quirks: sticking out her tongue, pouting, and startling people while reading, and she has even collected a baby lizard. She’s imaginative, often daydreaming and creating little stories in her mind, and she loves sticking subtle jokes or gestures into her performances. While loud and lively on stage, she also enjoys quiet hobbies like drawing, reading, and organizing her things. Her gear includes her beloved Northfield Mandolin, which she plays with enthusiasm and care. She enjoys experimenting with rhythms, playing melodies, and adding little playful touches that make the music her own. Alaniya hopes to continue growing as a musician, performing at big venues like the CMA Awards, and collaborating with artists like Emory Lester in the future. Alaniya is homeschooled, balancing music, learning, and hobbies. She loves traveling, especially to places like Hollywood, California, and enjoys family time, birthdays, and adventures outdoors. She brings joy, curiosity, and a little mischievousness to everything she does, making her performances memorable and fun for everyone.
Fun Facts: Favorite Color; light pink Favorite Instrument; Mandolin Favorite Mandolins; Northfield
What people are saying
“These young ladies are a 1st class act!”
— Facebook fan
“The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters are bringing bluegrass back to life with such energy and soul! They’re a breath of fresh air in the scene.” ”
— Fan
“they’re like the youngest Zeller boy — underestimated early on, but full of talent that’s already standing out” - Social media fan
“ the talent is so unbelievable for such young girls. They put their hearts in their music ”
— Facebook fan
We started playing piano when we were five years old. Later, after moving to Florida, we discovered bluegrass music, and about a year and a half ago we started playing bluegrass together as a band.
We began playing music when we were kids, even though our parents do not play instruments. We discovered music on our own and grew into it over time.
Guitar: Kenny Smith
Banjo: Kristen Scott Benson
Mandolin: Steve Thomas
Bass: Danny Stewart Jr.
Yes, we’ve written a few original songs, and we’re continuing to write more as we grow as a band.
We perform all over the United States, and if needed, we can also perform on tour outside of the U.S.
Yes! Please visit our booking page for more information.
Because we’re often busy traveling and performing, we won’t always have physical items available on our website. When available, we may have CDs or t-shirts, and our digital album is always available.
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When we’re not making music, we enjoy running, eating, and reading.