Through song and storytelling, Seminole singer-songwriter Rita Youngman shares music rooted in Seminole history, place, and lived experience. Her work draws on stories passed down through generations while also engaging with contemporary Native American life in Florida. Performed in community and cultural settings, Youngman’s songwriting reflects deep connections to Florida’s landscapes and the enduring presence of Seminole voices within them.

Rita Youngman is a Seminole Tribe of Florida singer-songwriter and cultural storyteller from Lake Placid, Florida. She is the granddaughter of Toby and Rosa Johns from the Brighton Reservation and a member of the Bird Clan. Her original music draws on Seminole history, culture, and lived experience, with songs such as “Egmont Key” and “Hush” reflecting tribal history and stories passed down through elders. She has been performing and recording original music for over a decade, sharing her work at festivals, community events, and cultural programs across Florida.

Florida Reflections was developed by Florida Humanities and is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250—a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Funding is provided in part through the Thomas M. & Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Brevard. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or its partners.