Yellowknife (Jun 05/06) - Right off the bat, Sylvia Cloutier seems to be hidden behind a wall of calm modesty.

The throat singer is one of the marquee performers at the upcoming Alianait! Arts Festival in Iqaluit, but she prefers to talk about other artists.

Iqaluit throat singer Sylvia Cloutier (left) performs with Celina Kalluk at the Alianait! Festival's first year in 2005. Cloutier performs again this year at the festival. - NNSL file photo

She is an accomplished, internationally-travelled performer, but she insists on crediting those who taught her first.

By many accounts, she is the originator of the name "Alianait!" but is reluctant to take credit for it.

"Alianait!" as she puts it, is an Inuktitut expression of both happiness and gratitude, like "yay!"

"(The festival) is just about being happy and celebrating out talents," she said.

This year, Cloutier will perform at the festival's opening, June 21, along with fellow throat singer Celina Kalluk, songwriter Charlie Panagoniak and many others.

She has been performing as a throat singer for around eight years, thanks to the teaching of Akinisie and Mary Sivuarapik, Madeline and Minnie Allakariallak, and too many others to list.

"Throat singing has been taught to me by some very special people," she said.

Cloutier has performed around the world, in places as diverse as Italy and Greenland, Edmonton and Argentina. Her credits include Canada Day performances on Parliament Hill in 2000, and an upcoming show for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in Edmonton.

It is her present work with the Qaggiq Theatre Company and performance company Aqsarniit, however, that she prefers to talk about.

"I would like to do more performances in the communities," she said. "I feel there is a need for young people to explore the performing arts."

"(Performing) is a great way for young people to learn about themselves."

Cloutier will also step on stage with the Nunavut Floor Masters (NFM), who will bring their mix of southern hip-hop and Inuit culture to the festival's "Youth Day," June 28.

"I like to explore music and collaborate with other artists," she said.

Cloutier will have a hand in putting the hip-hop performance together, seeking funding to bring members of the Canadian Floor Masters (CFM) to the festival. The CFM's visit to Iqaluit in February inspired the creation of the NFM.

"(The NFM) need people to help them find a place to practise, to help them fundraise. That's where I come in."

Despite the difficulties of working in the arts full-time, Cloutier said it is her calling, and she isn't going anywhere soon.

"It has financial challenges," she said. "I can't give up just because I have a bad month."

Now in its second year, the multi-cultural, multi-discipline festival runs from June 21 to Canada Day, July 1.