Paj Tawg Nthuav (New Blossoms) is an all girl Hmong dance group whose members are 6-8 years old. Their instructors hope to pass down the tradition of Hmong dance and introduce the girls to a variety of traditional and modern Hmong music defining Hmong courtship, history, and family among other things.

  Hmong dances are primarily expressed through the hands, body, and feet movements, but materials such as scarves and baskets are also an included. Movements are dependent on the rhythm of the song, the beats, music, lyrics and emotion.

   The Hmong choir is an all female group that ranges in age from 11-14. The Hmong choir sings traditional and modern Hmong songs that are about the Hmong history, culture, ways of life, friendship and love.

  Taught by Katia Vang and Many Lee, the group performs songs that are meaningful and enjoyable, they include songs such as, “Xum hlub tsev neeg” which means, “Love your family” or “Kuv Lub Teb Chaws [Tshua]” which is a song about leaving one’s homeland to start a new life in a new place.

   Paj Zeeg (Falling Blossoms) is an all female dance group from the ages of 11-14. The group performs a blend of the old traditional style dance with a twist or modernization. The hand movements are authentic and created in Laos and Thailand. Most dances are about the lifestyles in the Hmong homeland. Certain hand movements may mean different things. However, over the years since the dances were brought to America, the movements have been slightly modified, but their meaning still remains.

  The music and songs were created in Laos and Thailand and are about life in Laos, loving one another, and embracing the Hmong culture. They have also taken a Hmong folktale and re-enacted it through dance and music.

  The Qeej (Kaeng) is a sacred Hmong ceremonial flute instrument that has been passed down through the generations.

  The Qeej performance group Nuj Sis Loob also known as “The Legend” is taught by Tony Lor. The group consists of male and female performers. Although traditionally the Qeej is taught only to males, today females are welcomed and encouraged to learn in order to preserve the tradition of the Qeej (56k video or 300k video). Photograph at right: Tony Lor by John Blaustein.