Kira Viator

Now a registered nurse and award-winning Cajun accordionist, Kira Viator was inducted into the Order of Living Legends as a young girl on the basis of her musical proficiency. She was an inspiration to Cajun youth across Acadiana as the only young female accordionist in the Cajun music scene at that time. In the early 2000’s, she could often be seen on Jim Olivier’s popular morning program “Passe-Partout” on KLFY TV in Lafayette.

Since her induction in February of 2002, Kira has gone on to produce several CDs with her band, Bayou Beat. In them, she sings in both French and English. In liner notes to one of them, she explained, “I am one in a long line of musicians dedicated to keeping alive the traditional style of Cajun music.” In her music, she acknowledges that she sometimes listens to rap, but finally agrees with her mother’s belief that it is best to “stick to ya roots.”

Kira is a May 2008 graduate of LSUE with an associate degree in nursing. She went on to become a registered nurse. Also in August of 2008, Kira received the Cajun French Music Association’s Le Cajun Awards as Accordionist of the Year, as well as Female Vocalist of the Year. Her album “Sticking to My Roots” was also named Best CD of the Year. The awards were announced August 15, 2008.

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