Salima Shamanov | The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters
About Salima Shamanov
Salima Shamanov, 13, plays banjo, sings harmony and occasional lead, and is the funny, energetic heart of the Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters. She has already performed on stages such as the Grand Ole Opry and hopes to take her banjo antics to iconic venues like Red Rocks. She placed fourth in the Galax Youth Competition and is endorsed by Deering Banjos, GHS Strings, and G7 Capos. A proud Deering artist, she is especially known for her strong banjo playing and performs on a Tony Trischka Silver Clipper as one of her main instruments.
Salima started piano at five, picked up the banjo at twelve, and quickly became one of the fastest fingers in Alaska. She also dabbles in guitar, mandolin, bass, and a little fiddle, but the banjo is her main squeeze. She mostly sings harmony, occasionally takes the lead, and her favorite song to play is “Hello Trouble.” She loves fast songs, experimenting with new rolls, and especially enjoys F-style backup up the neck.
On stage, Salima performs standing, often kicking, dancing, and making expressive faces that could win awards for “most dramatic eyebrow raise.” She’s known for her playful antics—hiding snacks in her banjo case and carrying extra picks, strings, and capos just in case the banjo decides to stage a rebellion.
Off stage, she’s just as lively. She tunes her banjos often (maybe a little too often), practices her silly faces in the mirror, and is usually plotting her next joke or harmless prank. Her gear includes Deering banjos like the Tony Trischka Silver Clipper, BlueChip fingerpicks, and GHS J.D. Crowe signature strings. She plays acoustic banjo, loves experimenting with tone, and sometimes tunes so much it seems like the banjo could play itself.
Her performances are fast, technical, and full of laughter—leaving audiences smiling, tapping their feet, and occasionally wondering why they’re laughing so hard. Off stage, Salima is energetic, goofy, and full of personality. She enjoys reading historical fiction and fantasy (including The False Prince series), baking—ginger snaps are her specialty—running (including completing a 26.2-mile marathon on her 12th birthday), and playing chase with her younger sisters at playgrounds.
She also enjoys movies like Zootopia, Indiana Jones, and The Beverly Hillbillies, as well as chess, bubble gum, and her family’s meat dumplings (manti). She’s a fan of Coke, Dr Pepper, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew, and is homeschooled—balancing music, learning, and hobbies (though she admits spelling can sometimes be a challenge).
While she’s known for her energy and humor, Salima also has her quiet moments and even likes going to bed earlier than her sisters—sneaky, right? Her creativity and personality make rehearsals fun and performances memorable.
Looking ahead, Salima hopes to continue growing as a musician, perform at major venues and festivals, and help her band become a full-time national touring act. She aims to inspire audiences through her playing, energy, and humor—keeping every show fun, lively, and full of laughter.
Fun Facts:
- Favorite color: Blue
- Favorite instrument: Banjo
- Favorite banjos: Deering
- Banjo Used: Tony Trischka Silver Clipper Banjo – Deering® Banjo Company
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.
