About ME

I have studied Cambodian classical dance with the tradition's foremost masters in Cambodia and in the diaspora. Though the role I have studied most extensively is the "Yeak", or the giant role, I have also studied Neayrong (The male character), Sva (the monkey character), and Neang (The female character).

I was introduced to the study of Cambodian traditional dance through Neakkru Savary Dean, the founding artistic director of the San Jose Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe. I have also studied with Neakkru Charya Burt through funding from the Alliance for California Traditional Art's Apprenticeship program.

My Teachers

Khmer dance is taught in a very intimate way. There are no mirrors to watch yourself following the teacher demonstrating the movement--there is only watching the teacher demonstrate the movement, and then the teacher giving physical corrections. Khmer proverbs describe this kind of pedagogy as "bitter" and "sour" and "unpleasant to the ears", as the corrections are sometimes physically painful and the process can be incredibly slow. However, the teachers would not spend their time teaching if they did not appreciate you as a student.

I have spent countless hours at my teacher's homes, studying new peices and rehearsing new ones. Instruction begins with offering incense and candles, and sometimes fruit. But they always ended with a conversation about how I can continue to become a better dancer and a better teacher in my own right.