Artist Statement

As a traditional artist I am deeply committed to preserving and advancing Cambodian dance and culture. I have dedicated my life to mastering the 4000+ gestures and movements that compose the vocabulary of Cambodian Classical Dance along with the dances that make up the classical repertory. Having trained with Cambodia’s foremost surviving dance masters for over 10 years I am one of a very few who has the breadth of knowledge to insure that the preservation is authentic. I restage dances from the classical repertory, document old, soon-to-be forgotten dances and carrying on the tradition of master/apprentice relationships. I believe it is my charge to insure Cambodian communities across California and beyond safeguard an art form considered the purist expression of Cambodian cultural values for future generations.

To remain a vital and important part of contemporary Cambodian culture and to renew interest in traditional Cambodian art forms, it is important to allow the art to evolve by creating new works that resonate with the artists who perform them. My original dance pieces reflect my concerns and passions connecting past to present in ways that celebrate our ancient beauty while helping Cambodians reconcile our recent tragic past. As an immigrant artist I feel compelled to tell stories that spotlight our resolve and resilience. All of my work is firmly grounded in the classical tradition but I am also dedicated to advance Cambodian dance by pushing boundaries technically, thematically, and musically so that the art form can thrive.