Each year, hundreds of people a t t e n d OPERA America’s annual conference, one of the most influential gatherings of opera administrators, artists, trustees and advocates. Only three operas are chosen for performance. This year, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s “ Loksi1 Shaali' ( Shell Shaker)” is one of them.
Tate’s o p e r a tells the story of how the Chickasaw people received turtle shells for stomp dancing and ceremonies. The first opera to be sung entirely in a First American language, “ Loksi’ Shaali'” follows the journey of Loksi' ( Turtle), a girl who leaves her village and returns four years later with turtle shells for ceremonial dancing. This opera, with Chickasaw translation by Lokosh ( Joshua Hinson), brings Chickasaw culture to the world through language and story.
“ Great art has always been comprised of great legends from great cultures,” Tate said. “ W h e n I d o works like this, I’m bringing our legends into the spotlight of the world. And these are the types of legends that everybody can relate to because they have universal meaning. It means a lot to me to bring our culture into that sphere.”
Performing “ Loksi' Shaali'” at the OPERA A m e r i c a conference is a full- circle moment for Tate. In 2022, he competed for a grant to fund this composition at the OPERA America conference. Tate did not receive the g r a n t , b u t Tianhui Ng, conductor of the Mount Holyoke College Orchestra and an adjudication panel judge, found his proposal compelling. The opera was later commissioned through Mount Holyoke College.
“ That happens often in the arts,” Tate said. “ You don't compete to win the prize. You compete to be in the game. The prize is never really what you are going for.”
After receiving his commission in 2022, Tate completed “ Loksi' Shaali'” and it premiered Oct. 27, 2024, in Oklahoma City by Canterbury Voices and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Later t h a t year, it was performed at Mount Holyoke College with Ng conducting.
One of the lead singers for the premiere of “ Loksi' Shaali',” Kirsten Kunkle, is also the artistic director of the Wilmington Concert Opera. When OPERA America announced the 2026 conference would take place in Wilmington, Delaware, Kunkle pitched the opera while highlighting her own company.
“ It was a serendipitous opportunity and a wonderful circumstance for everyone involved,' Tate said.
Kunkle will reprise her role as Loksi' Ippo'si' ( Grandmother Turtle). She will be joined by returning and new cast members, including those from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Mvskoke, Pueblo of Acoma, Taino and Tiwa Nations.
“ Kirsten tried to retain a lot of the original cast, so we have a good chunk of original members, a nd there’s a lot of nostalgia tha t goes with that. It’s very personal and nice to be able to carry on the roles,” Tate said. “ But naturally, there are new people that come on board, and that’s exciting because I get to share the music with more of my colleagues. That’s really gratifying and fulfilling.'
While the original performance of “Loksi' Shaali'” was composed for a full orchestra, this version is for a chamber orchestra consisting of a string quartet, two percussionists, a piano and a flute. This reorchestration makes the composition more accessible for small theaters and companies to present.
“ In reorchestration, my challenge is to make sure the emotion and the theatric impact remains with different instruments,” Tate said.
The chamber version of “ Loksi' Shaali'” creates more opportunities for artists to learn and perform the work in the Chickasaw language. In addition to full and chamber orchestra versions, it is also available for piano and voice.
“ Loksi’ Shaali'” w i l l be performed twice at the OPERA America conference, first Thursday, May 14 at 8 p. m., then again Saturday, May 16 at 2 p. m. Performances will take place at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew in Wilmington, Delaware.
Tate said he views the selection as an amazing opportunity. He was previously named by The Washington Post as one of “ 22 for ’ 22: Composers and performers to watch” and was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2 0 2 2 . That same year, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award f r o m t h e Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2021, he was appointed a cultural ambassador for the U. S. D e p a r t m e n t of State. His newest string quartet, “ Woodland Songs,” was recently performed at Carnegie Hall by the Dover Quartet. Despite those achievements, Tate said learning that “ Loksi' Shaali'” was chosen for the OPERA America conference felt like “ quite a coup.”
“ I’m still pinching myself,” Tate said. “ We are going to sing an entire opera, entirely in Chickasaw, for the world. We are broadcasting to the world that Native opera exists, and it is a pleasant stereotype breaker in many, many ways. That has been a mission of mine through my whole life, and this is a real benchmark for that. I’m very humbled that I get to accomplish this.”
Jerod Impichchaachaaha'Tate. Photo courtesy of Shevaun Williams.
