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Biographies
Dance Teachers
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Masady Mani, a resident of Maryland, is currently a Co-Art Director (1991-present) of the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Group (CBSCG). She is professionally trained from the University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh Cambodia, the birth place of Khmer (Cambodian) arts. With a busy schedule of a typical American-career-woman, she spends her valuable time teaching the Cambodian Art to the new generations of Cambodian American dancers. Masady is
dedicated to preserving and promoting the Khmer (Cambodian) traditions
and heritage especially important in an immensely diverse community
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Maryland. As an Art Director of CBSCG she also choreographs dances such as Mae Om Bao Kom San Soun (Butterflies Playing in the Garden), Dom Naur Khmer (The Khmer Path) and Tang You (Umbrella Dance for children) for students.
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Ny Sin is one of the founders of the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Group that was founded in 1989. She is presently a Co-Art Director. Currently a resident of Frederick, Maryland, Ny drives one hour every Sunday to teach in Silver Spring, MD. As a teacher, she has also made valuable contributions to reconstructing old and new performance pieces. She has also choreographed a new dance called Yerng Knom
Koma (We the Children). Forced to flee Cambodia in 1975, Ny found
refuge at the Thai border. Ny along with Mrs. Peou Khatna (her mother) and Mr. Rachana Nuth were founders of the Khmer Classical Arts |
Association Inc., a dance troupe formed in the Kao-I-Dang refugee camp. They used their knowledge as a catalyst to prove they had unique qualities to bring to the United States. Ny, as the lead dancer, toured through out the United States. During the tour, Ny performed at major venues such as Epcot Center (FL), Kennedy Center (D.C.), The White House (D.C.), Disneyland (CA), Wolf Trap Center (VA), New York, Canada, and many others.
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Khantya Nou, a resident of Mt. Airy, Maryland, has been a dance teacher at the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Group since 1997. Her expertise is in the demon role. Her interest in dance started at a very young age. Her mother Nek Kru Peou Khatna was a third generation dance teacher of the Royal Palace in Cambodia. Her first teacher was Nek Kru Leas whose expertise is also in the demon role. Nek Kru Leas taught her until the Khmer
Rouge came into power in 1975. Khantya taught and danced in
Double-0-Seven and Khao-I-Dang refugee camps in Thailand. With the Khmer Classical Arts Association Inc., a dance troupe
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that was formed in Khao-I-Dang by Mrs. Peou Khatna and Mr. Rachana Nuth, she toured extensively throughout the United States and stayed in the USA after the tour was complete. Khantya Nou has performed at major venues such as, Epcot Center (FL), Kennedy Center (D.C.), The White House (D.C.), Disneyland (CA), Wolf Trap Center (VA), New York, Canada, and many others. She started a family in 1982 and lived in Texas. She taught again after she moved to Maryland.
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Puthyrith Sek, a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, has been a dance teacher at the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Group since it began in 1989. His expertise is in the male role and the monkey role of Khmer classical dance. In 1979, at the Khao-I-Dang refugee camp, Thailand, his first instructor was Lok Kru Sara. Being an adept student he later trained with Rachana, a teacher from the Royal Palace and continued to study dance with many other
dancers. With the Khmer Classical Arts association Inc., a dance
troupe that was formed in Khao-I-Dang by Mrs. Peou Khatna and Mr. Rachana Nuth, he toured all
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throughout the United States and stayed in the USA after the tour was complete. Puthyrith Sek has performed at major venues such as Epcot Center (FL), Kennedy Center (D.C.), The White House (D.C.), Disneyland (CA), Wolf Trap Center (VA), New york, Canada, and many others.
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Viphas Heng, a resident of Silver Spring Maryland, has been teaching at the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Group since 1999. His expertise is in the role of the monkey. He started his training at the Royal Palace at the age of 12. With the Khmer Classical Arts Association Inc., a dance troupe that was formed in Khao-I-Dang by Mrs. Peou Khatna and Mr. Rachana Nuth, he toured all throughout the United States and stayed in the USA after the tour was
complete. Viphas Heng has performed at major venues such as Epcot
Center (FL), Kennedy Center (D.C.), The White House (D.C.), Disneyland (CA), Wolf Trap
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Music Teachers
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Master Ngek Chum, a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is Music Director and he has been teaching at the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Group since 1994. He first learned to play music from his grandfather. Later, to diversify his talent he continued his studies with five other musicians: Master Chou Nit, Krou Van, Krou Chhourm, Krou Ton, and Krou Oeur. Ngek can play many Khmer instruments fluidly. Krou Nit was his main
master teacher (krou translates as teacher but is also considered a
title). Master Chum is the 2005 recipient of the Bess Hawes Lomax Award, given by the National Endowment for the Arts to honor extraordinary
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contributions to the teaching and preservation of valuable traditions. He has also performed at major venues such as Epcot Center (FL), Kennedy Center (D.C.), The White House (D.C.), Disneyland (CA), Wolf Trap Center (VA), New York, Canada, and many others.
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Attention! |
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The first day of classes was on September 13, 2009 (Sunday). Download the registration form by clicking this link. The link to the application is also on the Dancers page. This school year's schedule is available for download by clicking this link. |
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Teachers