Hear world-renowned Nepali Sarangi Player Shyam Nepali perform with his five-member band Himalayan Dreams at the 2024 Young Tradition Festival’s opening concert.

Band Members

• Shyam Nepali (Sarangi & Vocal)

• Pramod Upadhya (Percussions-Tabla & Madal)

• Ranjan Budathoki (Bamboo Flute)

• Tilak Shrestha (Vocal & Effects)

• Sushil Gautam (Author, Percussions, Mouth Harp & Effects)

Hailing from the centuries old Gandharba musical tradition of Nepal, Shyam Nepali has enjoyed an almost 30 year long career bringing the sounds of the Sarangi to audiences around the world. New Hampshire-based Shyam Nepali has been instructing local Burlington musician and music educator Brian Perkins on the Sarangi through Vermont Folklife’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program for the last several years. Brian’s objective has been to learn the instrument in order to teach it to local Nepali and non-Nepali youth in Burlington’s Old North End. Brian’s Sarangi Club will also make an appearance at the concert.

Tickets will also be available at the door for a suggested donation of $20

About the 2024 Young Tradition Festival:

The 2024 Young Tradition Festival celebrates young artists and multi-generational relationships in diverse traditional music and dance communities while providing opportunities for youth, families, and the greater community to immerse themselves in several types of traditional music and dance. 

This year’s festival includes concerts at Contois Auditorium: World-renowned Nepali Sarangi player Shyam Nepali’s band Himalayan Dreams will perform Friday night, and the well-known Quebecois trad band Genticorum will play Saturday night, with an opening act by the 20 teen performers of the Young Tradition Touring Group. Young musicians and dancers will perform alongside their teachers Saturday morning at the Burlington Farmers Market during our Student/Mentor Showcase. Performances will include folk fiddling, Tibetan singing and draynen, Nepali harmonium, West African drumming, Quebec trad music, and more. On Sunday all-ages will have an opportunity to join in the fun at a family-friendly jam session and contra dance at Contois Auditorium. The festival's programming also includes free performances for students at Burlington’s Integrated Arts Academy and residents at the Converse Home.