CBSCG.org - Home

Introduction

Contributed by Masady Mani

Wednesday, 17 August 2005


Venerable Oung Mean Candavanno	Mrs. Peou Khatna (right)

The dance school was organized in 1989 under sponsorship of the Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. of Silver Spring, Maryland, which serves as a place of worship as well as a community center for all Cambodians in the Washington metropolitan area. It is open every Sunday to all young people ranging from age 6 to age 20’s. Cambodian music class and Cambodian language class are also offered. The program was founded by Mrs. Peou Khatna, master dancer and song of the royal palace school of dance, with the support of Venerable Oung Mean Candavanno, chief of the Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc.

Two kinds of dances and music are taught to young people: classical and folk dance, Pinpeat and Mohory music. The teachers are master dancers and musician from Cambodia (they are the survivors of the Cambodia Holocaust).

The dance troupe has performed in several places, including the Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, National Institutes of Health, and other federal/local government agencies. Recently, the troupe had performed for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the World Refugee Day with the presence of Ambassador goodwill Angelina Jolie.

The school hosts between 50 and 60 students each year.

Master teachers are:
*Mrs. Masady Mani, co-art director, a graduate and Professor of the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.
*Mrs. Ny Sin-Jewel, co-art director, a graduate of the royal palace school of dance.
*Mr. Ngek Chum, music director, 2004 recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes Award.
*Mrs. Kantya Nou, a graduate of the royal palace school of dance.
*Mr. Viphas Heng, a graduate of the royal palace school of dance, specialize on monkey dance)
*Mr. Puthyrith Sek, specialize on monkey dance.
*Ms. Vathana Say, teacher’s assistant.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 February 2009 )