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Photo courtesy of the artist.
Reaksmey Lath
Khmer dance master and Neak Kru (teacher) Reaksmey “Mea” Lath was born to Cambodian genocide survivors in a Thai refugee camp. She grew up in Long Beach, where she studied Cambodian classical dance from the age of 12 working with master teachers and mentors Sophiline Shapiro, Charya Burt, and Prumsodun Ok. Her dance company, Modern Apsara Company, preserves the tradition of Cambodian dance in Southern California. Mea participated in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program in 2011, studying under mentor artist Charya Burt.
Living Cultures Grant
2024
Preserving Traditional Cambodian Dance in SoCal
The funding will support the preservation of traditional Cambodian dance and the development of professional Cambodian dancers and instructors in Southern California.
2023
Preserving Cambodian classical dance in SoCal
Funding will support Reaksmey Lath’s first Cambodian classical dance workshops for high school and college youths in Long Beach.