The Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach (http://www.khmerarts.org/) was created by Sophiline Cheam Shapiro in 2003, after she had already taught the classical Cambodian dance since 1991. "KAA" is now a recognized public benefit organization dedicated to fostering the vitality of Cambodian Arts in the United States and Cambodia.
American born classical dancer and visual artist from Cambodian descent Prumsodun Ok, 22, has learnt the Cambodian classical dance for 6 years now. He is currently the dance instructor, curator and media artist at "KAA".
On April 16, 2009, I stopped at the the Academy to watch Prum teach his two younger sisters, Callie, 19, and Khannia, 15… Eventhough they are siblings, I was impressed on how demanding and "strict" Prum is with his sisters. It it clear in his mind that he is not there to entertain two young girls with some "after class" activitiy but truly trying to bring them into the spiritual dimension of what that art is and what it means to be a dancing artist...
