Community Engagement
A frequent guest teacher for Morodok Performing Arts in Stockton, California, Charya poses here with the group at their Cambodian New Year performance April, 2019, at Wat Dhammararam, Stockton.
Dancing with Cambodian Communities:
Cambodian dance cultivates cultural identity by bringing young people in direct contact with the traditions and beauty that define the Khmer spirit. Contact comes in the form of movement, connecting body and soul to an art form uniquely Cambodian. For over 20 years Charya has travelled to Cambodian communities throughout California and beyond to conduct workshops, preserve her art form, and to nurture a new generation of Khmer dance artists.
Charya’s thoughts on working with community dance groups:
“Wherever there is a Cambodian community there is dance. Involvement in classical Cambodian dance connects our communities to the pride they have in our beautiful culture. Dance is a powerful tool to help us move forward as Cambodian-Americans.”
Charya travels throughout California to conduct dance workshops and provide resources to various Cambodian dance communities. Below is a list of those dance communities:
Khmer Arts Academy (Long Beach)
Khmer Arts Academy (KAA) is a nonprofit performing arts school based in Long Beach, California where Charya has been a frequent guest artist and artist-in-residence. As part of her 2017-18 residency, Charya partnered with KAA to mount her full-length world premiere of Silenced in 2018. Classes are held three days a week; every Thursday and Friday from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and every Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm at their studio in Long Beach. For more info: www.khmerarts.org
Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose
This group, under the direction of Savary Dean, has Charya’s former apprentice, Ryan Boun, as lead teacher. Charya has been a dance consultant for this group for many years and has also previously been artist-in-residence. Their weekly class is Sunday, 2:00pm-4:00pm usually at Tully Library in San Jose.
Khmer Morodok Performing Arts (Stockton)
Khmer Morodok Performing Arts (KMPA) is a newly established community dance group run by Charya’s former student, Sophany V. Inn Bodine. Based in Stockton, she and her passionate team practice together every Saturday from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Charya is mentor to KMPA and has conducted workshops on and off since January of 2019 at Wat Dhammaranram Buddhist Temple in Stockton.
United Khmer Cultural Preservation (Fresno)
United Khmer Cultural Preservation (UKCP) is a community dance troupe based in Fresno run by wonderful young dancers who are deeply passionate about Khmer dance. Charya has conducted a master class for them and hopes to work more with them in the future. Their scheduled practice is every Sunday from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Holistic Cultural and Education Wellness Center 4867 E Kings Canyon Road, Fresno.
KEEN Khmer Ballet of Stockton (Stockton)
Khmer Ballet of Stockton (KBS) is a dance community organization run by Chanra Hai and is based in Stockton. The group is composed mostly of young dancers and has excellent parental support. Charya is a frequent guest teacher. Their dance class is offered every Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pam at 42 N Sutter St. Suite 406, Stockton.
Khmer Youth of Modesto
Khmer Youth of Modesto (KYOM) is dance group based in Modesto that, up until his unfortunate passing in early 2019, was under the direction of Kenny Suthera Chhong. Pholy Meas and a committed group of parents have kept the group going strong. Their class is offered every Friday 4:00pm-5:30pm at Maddux Youth Center, Modesto.
Wat Khmer Modesto Dance Group
Wat Khmer Modesto Dance Group consists of energetic young Cambodian-American dancers connecting to their cultural roots. Just weeks prior California’s Covid lockdown, Charya was able to conduct a very successful workshop with over 30 of their dancers.
Charya looks forward to working with more communities including the Khmer Angkor Dance Troupe in Oakland, the dance group at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple of Sacramento, and many more…