Artists
Who We Are
Chanveasna Anthony Hong
President, Artistic Director, Costumer, TeacherChanveasna Hong, a talented dancer born and raised in Atlanta, GA, has developed a profound passion for Robam, the enchanting art of Cambodian traditional dance. During his teenage years, he diligently sought guidance from esteemed Cambodian dance masters across the United States, including Neak Kru Phousita Huy, Lok Kru Peter Veth, and Neak Kru Devi Yim. With an illustrious career spanning various prestigious productions of Cambodian dance, Hong now imparts his knowledge to aspiring students in Atlanta, GA through Rachana Performing Arts Inc., while also serving as a distinguished guest teacher at CCC of NC.
Sila Lay
TreasurerSila Lay is the Treasurer of Rachana Performing Arts, responsible for overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. With a background in business, he brings strong financial management skills to support the organization’s mission.
Elaine Lim Heng
Operations Director, SecretaryElaine Heng, a native of Austin, Texas, is pleased to have engaged in discussions with Chanveasna regarding the opportunity to serve as the Operations Director on the Board of Rachana Performing Arts. With a background in performing Cambodian Classical Dance during her formative years, Elaine understands the importance of preserving cultural heritage among Khmer-American youth. In her new role, she is committed to ensuring operational efficiency by maintaining meticulous organization systems, delivering comprehensive reports for board review, and providing support wherever necessary. By implementing these strategies, Elaine aims to facilitate increased opportunities for securing grants and donations further to enrich Rachana Performing Arts’ mission and impact.
Samantha Tran
Neang
Vantida Chan
Nearong, Neang
Sockhea Som
Nearong, Neang
Malina Tran
Neang
Hillary Keo
Neang
Izabella “Bella” Meas
Nearong
Phousita Serey Huy
Master of NeangNeak Kru Phousita Serey Huy is a master artist, teacher, and the longstanding Artistic Director of Angkor Dance Troupe (ADT), a role she has held since 1996. Renowned for her deep knowledge of Khmer classical dance and her commitment to preserving Cambodian performing arts, Neak Kru Phousita has helped transform ADT into a nationally respected institution in the United States.
A survivor of the Cambodian genocide, Neak Kru Phousita is part of the first generation of dancers trained at the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) in the post-Khmer Rouge era. There, she studied under the legendary master teacher, the late Chea Samy. Upon graduating in 1988, she became a teacher at RUFA, served the Cambodian Ministry of Culture, and coordinated international dance festivals across Asia.
As a distinguished performer, she has represented Cambodia in international showcases across the United States, Europe and Asia. Since immigrating to the U.S., Neak Kru Phousita has led numerous cultural exchange programs, documentation projects, and artistic collaborations. Under her leadership, ADT was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and honored at the White House in 1999.
Angkor Dance Troupe
Devi Yim Dos
Master of NeangMaster Devi Yim, a master dancer who portrays Princess Pimpa, also served as an instructor, program director, choreographer, lyricist, and playwright. She graduated from the University of Fine Arts, Cambodia in 1988 and toured extensively throughout Cambodia, India, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, Korea, and the United States. In 1990, Master Devi Yim toured the United States with Cambodia’s University of Fine Arts dance troupe, performing in Los Angeles and Long Beach in California; Seattle in Washington; St. Paul in Minnesota; Portland in Maine; Lowell in Massachusetts; in New York City and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
For the past thirty years, she has been one of the principal master dancers and master teachers in the United States. Her U.S. performances have included the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Kennedy Center, the White House, the Joyce Theater, and Jacob’s Pillow.
Sochietah Ung
Master of Yeak, Nearong, Costumer Maker, Crown MakerSochietah Ung is a multitalented artist—costume maker, dancer, teacher, choreographer, playwright, and producer—dedicated to sharing Cambodian culture. He is especially renowned for his costume and crown making, with his crowns favored internationally and even by Princess Bopha Devi. Ung survived the Cambodian genocide, eventually settling in the U.S. where he began crafting costumes and performing. Since then, he has become a master dancer and teacher, imparting Cambodian dance and costume making to hundreds of students. He performs regularly at major venues like the Kennedy Center and Smithsonian and was recognized in 2016 as a master costume maker by the Virginia Folklife Program.
Peter Veth
Master of Yeak, Nearong, NeangPeter Veth, a dancer/choreographer based in Lowell, Massachusetts, has been dancing Cambodian folk/classical dance for 28 years. His past work includes theater productions as a co-director of Flying Orbs Productions and a former Assistant Artistic Director of The Angkor Dance Troupe. In his early 20s, Peter ventured into his professional career as a hip-hop dancer and was featured on national television in MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Season 5 and Cirque Dreams – Cirque Du Soleil. Throughout his experiences in minor dances such as Indian classical and modern dances, Peter has intertwined all forms of dance into one contemporary Cambodian classical dance choreography.
Phone No
470-856-6023
Address
5530 Riverdale Rd Atlanta, GA 30349