Congolese Man Teaches Dance And Music Of His Native Culture

Vermont Public | By Steve Zind

Published April 12, 2013 at 2:23 PM EDT

In its 20 year history, the Vermont Folklife Center's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program has sponsored hundreds of apprenticeships.

In recent years it's been focused on helping Vermont's immigrant communities preserve the traditions of their home countries.

For one Congolese man, that's meant teaching young people the dance and music of their native culture. Lusenge Siriwayo leads Ngoma ya kwetu, an African dance troupe.

Note: There will be a 20^th anniversary reunion of the Folklife Center's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program tomorrow afternoon at Main Street Landing in Burlington.

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Steve Zind

Steve has been with VPR since 1994, first serving as host of VPR’s public affairs program and then as a reporter, based in Central Vermont. Many VPR listeners recognize Steve for his special reports from Iran, providing a glimpse of this country that is usually hidden from the rest of the world. Prior to working with VPR, Steve served as program director for WNCS for 17 years, and also worked as news director for WCVR in Randolph. A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Steve also worked for stations in Phoenix and Tucson before moving to Vermont in 1972. Steve has been honored multiple times with national and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for his VPR reporting, including a 2011 win for best documentary for his report, Afghanistan's Other War.

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