Arts & Cultures

TANC’s performing arts program seeks to preserve Traditional Tibetan opera, dance, folk songs, musical instruments, singing as well as other artistic skills such costume making, scenary construction, painting, and wood carving. The program aims to pass on and promote Tibet’s rich and unique performing arts traditions to younger community members and the Northern California community at large.

Classes in Tibetan music, songs, and instruments, and dances are also offered every Sunday at the Tibetan School. Students are introduced to basic notation and learn how to play Dranyen (Tibetan Lute), writing and practice, tuning, skills improvement, working with songs, and dancing to the lute. Classes are currently only available to children ages 5 to 14.  We are working towards designing classes for youth and adults as well.

Musicians and performers from TANC participate in various cultural events, schools, and other venues throughout the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Bay Area is also home to Chaksampa, a Tibetan performing group; and Semshug Punda, a Tibetan youth ensemble. These two professional troupes perform both locally and nationally, and they serve as important resource for the Northern California Tibetan community.

Program Instructors:

Tsering (Bawa) Dorjee: Tsering is a musician and an actor with over twenty years experience in Tibetan performing arts and music. He has a Master’s degree from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) based in Dharamsala, India.  Tsering also worked at TIPA as a performer and music/dance instructor for over seventeen years.

For more information, please contact the TANC office.