The World Music Institute Presents Celebrated Canadian Vocalist Tanya Tagaq May 11

Canada's celebrated Inuk performer Tanya Tagaq employs exquisite, unnerving vocal improvisations that blend vocal techniques from metal, rock, improvisational and new music worlds with elements of Inuit throat singing. Tanya's heritage is never far from her mind, and it has a political edge (growing up in a majority Inuit area, Tanya saw the effects of Canadian attempts to systematically dismantle Inuit culture). Tagaq's art challenges static ideas of genre and culture, and contends with themes of environmentalism, human rights and colonialism.

Hailed by Rolling Stone as "one of today's most electric, transfixing performers in any genre," Tagaq was the recipient of Canada's prestigious Polaris Music Prize in 2014 for her album "Animism." She has also been named to the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors. Tanya's most recent album "Retribution" was released in fall 2016, landing on many of the year's 'best of' lists, with Fader calling it "one of the most stunning records you'll hear this year, or maybe ever."

Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States.

WMI is committed to presenting the finest in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world with the goal of inspiring wonder for world cultures through music and dance. WMI aims to enrich the lives of people living in New York by promoting awareness of other cultures and their traditions. WMI collaborates with community organizations and academic institutions in fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the world's cultural traditions and presents at venues throughout the city.

Under new leadership since 2015, its 30th anniversary season, World Music Institute has introduced an ambitious expansion of concert offerings that include contemporary, experimental and avant-garde presentations, as well as the traditional music that WMI has long been known and admired for. In addition, the institution is thrilled to have launched new partnerships with BAM, 92nd Street Y, SummerStage, Merkin Concert Hall, National Sawdust, Storm King Art Center, Le Poisson Rouge, Littlefield and Drom-while continuing partnerships with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Town Hall, Symphony Space, French Institute Alliance Francaise, and Apollo Theater (the annual Africa Now festival).

WMI has presented more than 1,500 concerts and events featuring artists from more than 100 countries across all continents. Through powerful programming, WMI is creating a movement that promotes awareness and engagement of other cultures, helping to encourage deeper understanding of communities around the globe.