The Sullivan Sisters
While Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a hotbed for bluegrass music, Soraya and Luciya Sullivan grew up in a home filled with the music of classical saxophones. “Both of our parents are very musical,” says Soraya. “But they don’t play bluegrass music at all, even though my mom once tried playing the banjo.”
Because Winston-Salem has such a strong bluegrass scene, Soraya and Luciya were exposed to the genre early on, and they liked what they heard. “The older kids played it, and we wanted to get involved. My parents took us to take lessons from the Mcgee family nearby.” Soraya was eight years old, and she took guitar lessons, while six-year-old Luciya took banjo lessons. “We went to an arts-based elementary school where everyone sings – it’s unusual for anyone not to sing. While there, we learned the mechanics of harmony.” The sisters also sang together for fun, which is how they honed their melodic sound.
“We have always liked pretty country songs and Americana,” says Soraya. “We share songs we like and go from there.”
In 2015, the girls’ father took a teaching job with Northwestern University and the family moved to Chicago. The girls began playing as a duo, and almost immediately, local bluegrass artists in the Chicago area took Soraya and Luciya under their wings. A trip to the IBMA World of Bluegrass two years ago led to the formation of their current band. “We met the other band members at festivals, and it all jelled at IBMA.”
Joining Soraya and Luciya are Finn McGinness on fiddle, Gabe Zinser on mandolin, and Sammy Mougin on bass – all phenomenal pickers and longtime friends. The new band launched in January 2025 to a sold-out, standing-room audience in Chicago. “We all enjoy playing with each other. And it’s a gift to play with my sister, who is also my best friend.”
Soraya says she is influenced by several contemporary artists, including Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch, along with Molly Tuttle and Rebecca Frazier. “They are both flat pickers like me.”
The Sullivan Sisters have spent the last ten years touring the country as featured performers at Merlefest, IBMA’s Bluegrass Live Festival, the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum’s Romptober Festival, and the Evanston Folk Festival.
They have garnered national distinction for their instrumental talents, including first prize in banjo and third prize in guitar at Rockygrass 2023, first prize in fiddle, second prize in guitar, and second prize in the 2024 Galax Old Fiddlers Convention Bluegrass Banjo contest. The Sullivan Sisters were also awarded third place at the 2025 RockyGrass Band Competition.
The Sullivan Sisters are fast becoming accomplished songwriters. They signed with Dark Shadow Recording in 2025, and they have released several singles, including the hauntingly beautiful “Devil’s Got a Hold on You.” Soraya says Luciya brought the song to her, and they finished it together. An album on the Dark Shadow label will be released in February. “Almost all of the songs on the album were written by me and my sister,” says Soraya. “We are planning a short tour when the album is released.”
They’ll have to work it in around their school schedule. Both sisters are studying music at Berklee. Soraya (21) is currently a junior, and Luciya (18) is a freshman. “Once we get out of school, our goal is to be full-time musicians. I’d love to tour all the time.”
