Ruth & Kengo

Ruth Miller & Kengo Nagaoka are a singer/guitarist duo from Dgheyay Kaq’ (Anchorage). They first met and nurtured their musical partnership through the community of Alaskans fighting for environmental justice and Indigenous rights. Their music speaks of love, resilience, and healing and is influenced by soul, RnB, jazz, and folk music traditions.

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  • • 12/14/22

    The Beginning ~ Ruth & Kengo's first performance of Kaleidoscope Being

    The Beginning ~ Ruth & Kengo's first performance of Kaleidoscope Being

    Accompanying post from January 13, 2020

    “Last week was a practice in radical vulnerability.

    I stretched myself to my edges. I challenged myself to take a breath, find comfort in the uncomfortable, and trust that taking risks is a part of growth.

    I am so blessed that when I jumped into the unknown, with bold words I used to whisper like secrets, my community was there to catch me. When I doubted myself, I was greeted with nothing but love. A year ago, a month ago, I would not have had the courage to bear my heart to so many people. So tonight, I’m feeling inspired to share a little more widely with the world because goddamn, I am proud! of! myself!

    PART 2

    I really really really love to sing. It makes my heart infinitely lighter. But like all things that are good for me, I tend to neglect them, to prioritize work, to say “it’s alright, I can wait,” when I’m just aching with longing. But in this week of radical vulnerability, I felt such a strong calling to take a risk, to do something daring, to receive all judgement and opinions and assessments with grace and decide instead that I will validate and affirm myself. I don’t want to hold my power of creation deep within, I don’t want to lay my emotions aside, I don’t want to waste the an opportunity to cleanse and to process and to celebrate!

    So here I am with this dear dear dear soul Kengo Nagaoka, for the first time singing a song that I wrote in front of an audience. I think it’s called Kaleidoscope Being. And, with all the forgotten words, and laughter and microphone mishaps and little ones running around, I am so full of joy sharing this. Honestly, I don’t care much that it’s imperfect. I am loving the mistakes. We were too busy having fun. I think this was the healing that my little heart has needed, the reminder to honor myself and to revel in the pure joy of creating magic moment.”

Previous shows.

Just Transition Summit 2020

January 2020
Tanana Dene lands, Fairbanks, AK

Video above

Pass the Bucket: Akela Space

Akela Space, November 2022
Dena’ina lands, Anchorage, AK

Livestream via Facebook

Anchorage Museum: Music on the Lawn

Anchorage Summit Arts in the Park, July 2022
Dena’ina lands, Anchorage, AK

Recording available soon

Just Transition Summit 2022

May 2022
Dena’ina lands, Anchorage, AK

Recording available soon

Native Peoples Action Wellness Hour

January 2021
Dena’ina lands, Anchorage, AK

Virtual Performance, event linked here

Upcoming shows.