• Sections
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Education
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • MVMA
    • Perspectives
    • Travel
  • Shop Local
    • Arts & Culture
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Dining & Cuisine
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Financial & Professional Services
    • Florists, Gift & Specialty Shops
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Real Estate
  • Calendar
  • Dining Guide
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Login

Merrimack Valley Magazine

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Perspectives
  • Travel
← Back

Behind the Scenes – Lowell’s Angkor Dance Troupe

Adrien Bisson
Published July 16, 2016
Share:

Founded in 1986 by Lowell’s Cambodian refugees as a way to preserve their culture’s ancient dance traditions, many Valley residents have seen the Angkor Dance Troupe perform. ( they’ve danced at the inauguration of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.) But few people outside the organization know what happens behind the scenes to make possible the technically challenging, seamless visual wonder that is an Angkor Dance Troupe performance. Photographer Adrien Bisson visited the troupe’s rehearsal space at Lowell’s Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center to get an inside look at Angkor’s dancers, teachers and the work they do to make it all possible.

  • Angkor Dance Troupe’s co-founder Tim Thou with his daughter, Executive Director Linda Sopheap Sou. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • The troupe’s youngest members, age 5 to 10, rehearse the “Tivea Propey,” or ‘Flower Dance.” Dancers travel from as far away as Beverly and Amherst, Mass., to attend the troupe’s weekly Sunday practice. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Dancers taking a break from rehearsal. “The dance troupe provides a positive social setting where young people can learn how to express themselves in a constructive way,” Sou says. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Dancers Malia Keo, Tanromoni Chum and Nina Touch. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Principal dancer and teacher, Sohpy Leng, affixes a false eyelash in preparation of a performance with the help of her smartphone. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Principal dancer and instructor, Virginia Prak. Principal dancers are those who have mastered their skills to the point that they are performing as leaders of dances. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Master and Artistic Director Phousita Huy (left) with Samnang Hor, principal dancer. All Masters have completed an intensive program at The Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Young male dancers perform “The Fishing Dance,” one of the folk dances depicting the everyday lives of villagers. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Dancer Chummeng Soun helps principal dancer Channa Sath with her costume. The lower halves of dancers’ costumes are created by wrapping large bolts of fabric around their bodies, a technique requiring training and technical skill. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • Dancer Sophy Leng (rear) and Master Phousita Huy help a dancer with her jewelry. Photo by Adrien Bisson.
  • The “Moonlight Dance,” performed to contemporary “mohari” music, conveys the importance of taking time to appreciate the good things in one’s life and community. Left to right: Sophy Leng, Khakhada Horn (background) and Brianna Mai. Photo by Adrien Bisson.

 

Share:
Related Articles
12 Days of Holiday Gift Guide – Day 9!
The 495 – This Week’s Episode – Henri Marchand
The 495 – This Week’s Episode – Melvern Taylor
The 495 – This Week’s Episode – Renay Wolterding

Current Issue

Subscribe

Who We Are

mvm is the region’s premiere source of information about regional arts, culture and entertainment; food, dining and drink; community happenings, history and the people who live, work, play and make our area great.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Sections

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Bridal
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • MVMA
  • Perspectives
  • Travel

Links

  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Regular Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact

© Copyright 2021 Merrimack Valley Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Valid on new memberships during the month of September 2020.

 

Newsletter Signup

MERRIMACK VALLEY TODAY: Noteworthy. Local. News. (Launching May 2021)
Wellness Wednesdays
Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend (Thursdays)
NoteWorthy - Happenings, Movers & Shakers (Sundays)

Orangetheory Methuen is celebrating it’s one year anniversary with an
Open House, Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join your friends and neighbors to learn more about the fastest growing workout sensation in the nation. Tour the studio. Meet the coaches. Enter to win a 10 pack of classes. The first 20 people who sign up for a free class at the event will receive a free bonus class, no obligation. 

Click here to learn more! 

Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901
Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Free Class for first-time visitors and local residents only.