Visitors to the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College recently received a wonderful surprise: a performance by the talented young dancers of Viv Ncaus Koom Siab, whose name means Sisters in Harmony.
Dressed in beautiful, carefully coordinated attire, the dancers brought music, movement, color, and an unmistakable sense of joy to the market. Their performance quickly drew an appreciative audience of farmers, shoppers, families, and children.
The visit was especially meaningful to our market community because one of the young dancers is the daughter of Tra Her of KT Farms, a longtime farmer at Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. We are accustomed to seeing the Her family represented through the beautiful Asian produce grown for our markets. On this occasion, we had the pleasure of seeing another part of the family’s heritage shared with our community.
Keeping Hmong Culture Alive Through Dance
Viv Ncaus Koom Siab was established in 2015 to preserve and promote Hmong culture through dance. For more than a decade, the organization has helped young women become cultural ambassadors—learning about their heritage while sharing it with audiences throughout California and beyond.
Hmong dance is more than a performance. It is a way of expressing cultural identity, strengthening connections between generations, and introducing others to Hmong history and traditions.
The choreography presented by contemporary Hmong dance groups often brings together graceful movement, music, storytelling, cultural symbolism, and traditional or traditionally inspired clothing. Through rehearsals and performances, young dancers learn not only the movements themselves but also the discipline, teamwork, pride, and responsibility that come with representing their community.
This work is especially meaningful for Hmong American families seeking to ensure that cultural knowledge remains vibrant among younger generations. Every performance becomes an opportunity to celebrate the past while allowing the tradition to continue growing in the present.
Sisters, Teammates, and Cultural Ambassadors
Viv Ncaus Koom Siab is a competitive dance group affiliated with Hmong Culture & Arts Preservation, a Fresno-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Over the years, the dancers have represented Fresno and the Hmong community at cultural celebrations and community events in California, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. They have performed at Hmong New Year festivals, Lunar New Year celebrations, schools, weddings, community gatherings, veterans’ events, and nonprofit programs.
Their contributions have not gone unnoticed. On January 5, 2023, the City of Fresno proclaimed Viv Ncaus Koom Siab Day, recognizing the group’s dedication to cultural preservation, philanthropy, leadership, and community service.
Behind every polished performance are many hours of practice. The dancers must learn to move together with precision while developing the confidence and presence needed to perform before large audiences and competition judges. Their accomplishments reflect the commitment of the dancers as well as the parents, instructors, and community members who support them.
Helping the Dancers Reach Their Next Competition
Viv Ncaus Koom Siab is currently raising funds to help its dancers participate in upcoming performances and competitions.
Many of the young women come from underserved or underrepresented communities, and the program is supported primarily through contributions from their families. The costs can be considerable. The group is seeking assistance with two sets of dance attire for each dancer, along with transportation, travel, and lodging expenses.
A donation of any size will help provide these young women with the opportunity to compete, perform, and continue sharing Hmong culture with new audiences.
Just as importantly, supporting the dancers helps preserve a living cultural tradition—one being carried forward with dedication, grace, and pride by a remarkable group of young women.
Please Join Us in Supporting Viv Ncaus Koom Siab
We were honored to welcome Sisters in Harmony to the Aptos Farmers Market and delighted to see the daughter of one of our own farmers performing with the group.
We hope our farmers market community will help these young dancers reach their fundraising goal. Donations are tax-deductible through Hmong Culture & Arts Preservation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Donate online:
Checks may also be made payable to:
Hmong Culture & Arts Preservation
Please write “Viv Ncaus Koom Siab” on the memo line.
EIN: 84-2765889
Thank you for helping these talented young women carry their culture forward—one dance, one performance, and one generation at a time.
