CULTIVATING & CONNECTING. Eau Clare Hmong New Year, pictured, welcomed a dozen traveling competition teams, all performing traditional Hmong dances. The Chippewa Valley will soon be home to its own competitive team, thanks to the Siab Zoo Dance Program.

The Eau Claire Hmong New Year celebration was held for the first time in a number of years this October, welcoming thousands of attendees to The Sonnentag Center. For some – including a number of the dancers themselves – it was the first time they experienced the atmosphere of a Hmong traditional dance competition.

Many of the local dancers who performed at the event only recently became aware of this kind of competition due to the lack of traditional dance opportunities in the Chippewa Valley. In fact, the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association (ECAHMAA) only began offering lessons two years ago. Unlike other similar organizations around Wisconsin and the Midwest, it hadn’t previously offered a competitive dance team.

Pakou Thao, ECAHMAA grants specialist, is also the driving force behind organizing the area’s only traditional Hmong dance program, which is officially adding a competitive team in 2025. The talented teacher leading classes for its dancers? Pakou's daughter, 17-year-old Pearl.

Pearl has about a decade of dance experience thanks to starting at around 5 years old. She began teaching about a dozen local girls and adults two years ago; this past year, that number more than doubled to upwards of 30.

The program, called the Siab Zoo Dance Program (“siab zoo” meaning “kindness”), is officially launching its first-ever Competitive Team alongside its Performance Teams, all of which are open to anyone, of any age.

“Hmong traditional dance is very, very competitive. It’s a niche that is quickly growing, and it’s a way for these young girls to celebrate their culture, find confidence, and be proud to be Hmong.” –Pakou Thao

About eight years ago, Pakou moved to Eau Claire from the Twin Cities area, where Pearl started dancing and experienced the bustling community of traditional Hmong dance. They quickly realized those same opportunities were not available in the Chippewa Valley, and spent every weekend driving back to Minnesota so Pearl could dance.

After all, dancing was a lot more than just a sport – it was a way to connect with their culture and heritage. “Hmong traditional dance is very, very competitive,” Pakou explained. “It’s a niche that is quickly growing, and it's a way for these young girls to celebrate their culture, find confidence, and be proud to be Hmong."

Competitions are held several times a year, typically beginning in May around Memorial Day, as well as in September and around Hmong New Year. 

Ahead of its third year – expected to be its largest yet – the Siab Zoo Dance Program will also be gaining two more teachers alongside Pearl. Tryouts for the beginner-friendly Performance Team(s) and traveling Competition Team(s) will be held in early January at the ECAHMAA office. Pakou expects the program to continue growing rapidly as more people learn that it’s available.

Local dancers at the Eau Claire Hmong New Year event.

The group dances with Asian music – mostly Hmong, Pakou said – and choreography is centered on storytelling more than anything. As a volunteer-run program, parents are as vital as the dancers. Pakou said the parents are the ones helping craft and sew the dancers’ vibrant, intricate costumes, helping at practices and performances, and more. The program is as much a connector for families as it is for dancers.

To see her own daughter leading so many Hmong children in traditional dance is moving for Pakou, both as a mom and a community member yearning to bridge the gap between the Hmong and non-Hmong populations in town.

No experience is required to join the Siab Zoo Dance Program, and it’s a welcoming, inclusive space for all – all genders, ethnicities, and ages (5 years and up) are welcome, Pakou said. Tryouts will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, and Saturday, Jan. 11, at a few different times based on desired team and age.

Keep up with the Siab Zoo Dance Program on Facebook and reach out with inquiries at pakou.thao@ecahmaa.org • Learn more about the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association online