The Lakota Music Project, an initiative of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, began as a “conviction” of Delta David Gier, music director of the symphony. That's exactly what we do, too.’”First Lakota Music Project tour was in 2009Now, the Lakota Music Project has been performing new programs since the inaugural tour in 2009, which saw performances on the Pine Ridge, Santee Sioux and Rosebud reservations. Bryan Akipa, a Dakota flautist who has also composed music for the program, performs a dance with the Lakota Music Project. And there are plenty of differences between traditional Lakota music and traditional symphonic music. His work with the Lakota Music Project was the first time composing music from a Native American perspective.