Community Centered. Future Focused.

Our Story

Wattanak Dance Troupe (WDT) was founded in 2008 with a mission to preserve and share Cambodian classical and folk dance with future generations. Its story is part of a much larger legacy of resilience, shaped by the survival and rebuilding of Cambodian dance following the Khmer Rouge.

Cambodian classical dance is an ancient tradition rooted in spirituality, identity, and community. Its origins reach back before the Angkorian Empire, evolving from traditions of animism and ancestor worship and later incorporating Hindu and Buddhist influences. Over centuries, it developed into the highly stylized art form associated with Cambodia’s royal courts and the celestial dancers depicted throughout Angkorian temples. Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge nearly destroyed this tradition. Artists, dancers, musicians, teachers, and cultural leaders were systematically targeted, and generations of artistic knowledge were lost. After the regime fell, surviving masters including Chea Samy, Em Theay, Soth Sam On, and Professor Chheng Phon worked to reconstruct the dances from memory and pass their knowledge on to a new generation. Their dedication helped ensure that Cambodian dance would not be lost.

That legacy eventually reached Minnesota, where Cambodian families and community leaders created spaces for younger generations to learn and carry on their traditions. In 2008, Master Yousedy Peov formally established Wattanak Dance Troupe, bringing together young dancers and creating a structured space for Cambodian classical and folk dance to be taught, practiced, and performed. What began as a small group rehearsing at Watt Munisotaram in Hampton, Minnesota, grew over the years into a troupe with a presence throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. Today, WDT is cared for by a collective of dancers and teachers, many of whom were trained directly under Master Yousedy Peov. Together, they continue the lineage of knowledge passed down through generations of Cambodian artists while helping the tradition evolve for a new generation.

Now based in Minneapolis, Wattanak Dance Troupe remains dedicated to preserving and sharing Cambodian dance through training, performance, community engagement, and mentorship. From its beginnings as a small group of young dancers to the troupe it is today, WDT continues to carry this living tradition forward.

Our Founder

Yousedy Peov

Photography By Sopon Lee

Master Yousedy Peov

Master Yousedy Peov is a Professional Dancer, Master Teacher, Choreographer, and founder of Wattanak Dance Troupe. Her life’s work has been dedicated to preserving and passing on Cambodian classical and folk dance, carrying forward a lineage of artists and educators who kept these traditions alive through some of Cambodia’s most difficult years.

Yousedy comes from a distinguished artistic family. Her father, You Leng Peov, was a renowned playwright, theater director, educator, and cultural leader who helped shape Cambodia’s performing arts and formal arts education during its Golden Age of theater and film. Following the devastation of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, Cambodia’s artistic community was nearly destroyed, with countless dancers, musicians, teachers, and artists lost. Yousedy was among the first generation to receive formal performing arts training after the fall of the regime, studying under master teachers who had carried Cambodian dance through years of war and upheaval. She went on to earn her degree and graduate studies at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.

In 1991, Yousedy joined Cambodia’s Department of Fine Arts under the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts as a professional performer. Later that year, she was selected to join the Cambodian Royal Ballet as a member of the Royal Dance Troupe following the return of Princess Norodom Bopha Devi to Phnom Penh. Throughout her career, she performed internationally across Asia, Europe, and the United States. After settling in Minnesota, she continued her work as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and cultural educator, teaching hundreds of students and supporting Cambodian arts organizations across the country.

In 2008, Yousedy founded Wattanak Dance Troupe, creating a space where Cambodian classical and folk dance could continue to be taught through the traditional teacher-to-student lineage. Her influence extends far beyond the stage; through her students, she has helped cultivate a new generation of dancers, teachers, and cultural stewards. Today, her legacy lives on through the artists she has trained and the continued work of Wattanak Dance Troupe, ensuring that the tradition she inherited is not only preserved, but continues to grow and thrive.

Our Team

  • Sarath Nob

    Co-Artistic Director & Lead Costumer

    Sarath Nob is a classically trained Cambodian dancer, instructor, and cultural organizer whose work has helped shape Wattanak Dance Troupe’s artistic identity for more than two decades. She began her formal training at age seventeen under master teachers Sodanny Eir and Yousedy Peov, and has since become a highly skilled performer of male (Nearong), female (Neang), and demon/giant (Yeak) roles. Her deep understanding of traditional character work and performance technique continues to guide Wattanak’s dancers today. As co-artistic director and lead costumer, Sarath plays a key role in ensuring the troupe’s visual and cultural authenticity. She oversees the preparation and presentation of traditional costumes, lending each production its ceremonial elegance and historical resonance. Sarath is also a valued mentor and educator, supporting dancers of all levels through instruction, staging, and behind-the-scenes coordination. Her lifelong dedication to Cambodian dance and cultural preservation reflects a profound sense of responsibility to her heritage and community.

    sarath@wattanakdancetroupe.org

  • Garret Sour

    Co-Artistic Director, Director of Communications, Principal Dancer

    Garrett Sour is a dancer and educator who began training at the age of six under Master Yousedy Peov. He serves as Co-Artistic Director, instructor, and principal dancer of Wattanak Dance Troupe (WDT), where he plays a central role in shaping the organization’s artistic vision, training the next generation of dancers, and advancing its mission to preserve and promote Cambodian dance traditions. He continues his studies with Master Sotheavy Khieu in Cambodia and Peter Veth in Massachusetts, specializing in the male (Nearong). His training across the United States and Cambodia reflects a sustained commitment to lineage-based practice and cultural continuity, which he actively transmits through WDT’s performances, educational programs, and community initiatives. In addition to his leadership at WDT, Garrett is trained in Bharatanatyam with Ragamala Dance Company under the direction of Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy. With Ragamala, he has performed at distinguished venues including The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, The Soraya, and Harris Theater, and has toured internationally in the Netherlands and across multiple states in India. He has also performed in South Korea through independent international engagements. Through his leadership at WDT, integrating performance, teaching, mentorship, and continued study, Garrett is dedicated to sustaining ancient dance traditions while strengthening cultural identity within the Cambodian American diaspora and fostering meaningful exchange across artistic communities.

    garrett@wattanakdancetroupe.org

  • Saroeun Nob

    Associate Artistic Director & Principal Dancer

    Saroeun Nob is a dynamic Cambodian-American dancer and cultural arts leader whose training spans both classical and contemporary dance forms. A founding member of Wattanak Dance Troupe, she began her formal study of Cambodian classical dance at the age of fourteen under master teachers Sodanny Eir and Yousedy Peov. With strong command of both male (Nearong) and female (Neang) roles, Saroeun has become a signature performer known for her versatility and expressive range. In addition to her work with Wattanak, Saroeun is an active figure in Minnesota’s Hip-Hop dance scene. She is a founding member of Finesse, a competitive dance group with national and international credits—including a first-place win at the 16th Annual K-Pop Dance Competition in Seoul, South Korea. At Wattanak, she serves as Associate Artistic Director and Principal Dancer, contributing to instruction, staging, and artistic leadership. Her dual engagement with classical tradition and contemporary practice reflects the layered realities of Cambodian-American identity and creativity.

    saroeun@wattanakdancetroupe.org

  • Sopon Lee

    Instructor & Dancer

    Sopon Lee began her training in Cambodian classical dance at the age of 14, learning the female role (Neang) under Master Yousedy Peov alongside her siblings and cousins. She continues to perform with Wattanak Dance Troupe while also teaching the troupe’s younger beginner students, guiding them with the same joy and commitment she brought to her own training. With her young daughter now dancing as well, Sopon carries on a cherished family tradition, helping to preserve and share the beauty and cultural significance of Cambodian dance.

    sopon@wattanakdancetroupe.org

  • Melanie Tit

    Instructor & Dancer

    Melanie Tit grew up surrounded by Cambodian arts, developing an early love for music and dance. She began her artistic journey learning traditional Cambodian instruments from her family, which sparked a deep passion for cultural expression. Melanie later trained in classical dance under Master Rachana Hing and has since performed widely across Minnesota. As both a dancer and an instructor for Wattanak Dance Troupe’s younger beginning students, she brings dedication and experience to her work, both on stage and in class, helping to inspire the next generation and carry Cambodian traditions forward.

    melanie@wattanakdancetroupe.org

  • Sabrina Sok

    Assistant Instructor & Dancer

    Sabrina Sok is a Cambodian classical dancer whose artistry reflects over a decade of dedicated training in the Neang (female) role. She began her dance journey at the age of eight under master teacher Yousedy Peov and has since become a steady force within Wattanak Dance Troupe’s performance and teaching ensemble. In her role as Assistant Instructor and Dancer, Sabrina supports rehearsals, instruction, and production needs across the troupe. She has performed widely across Minnesota and beyond, including a featured appearance in Massachusetts. Her leadership, reliability, and commitment to tradition contribute to the troupe’s continued excellence and cohesion.

    sabrina@wattanakdancetroupe.org

  • Gabriella Sour

    Principal Dancer & Operations Manager

    Gabriella Sour is a Cambodian classical dancer and educator whose artistic voice is shaped by rigorous training and an unwavering commitment to cultural preservation. She began her formal study of classical dance at the age of twelve under the guidance of her brother, Garrett Sour, and has furthered her studies with master teachers Phousita Huy and Yousedy Peov, as well as Peter Veth. Specializing in the Neang (female) role, Gabriella brings grace, control, and emotional depth to her performances. As Principal Dancer, Instructor, and Operations Manager of Wattanak Dance Troupe, Gabriella plays a vital role in sustaining the organization’s artistic excellence and daily operations. She mentors intermediate-level students, emphasizing discipline, precision of form, and cultural context. Her performance experience includes appearances across Minnesota and in Lowell, Massachusetts, as well as collaborations with The Reachany Project and Urban Khmer Ballet. Through her dedication to teaching, performance, and organizational leadership, Gabriella helps ensure the continued vitality and transmission of Cambodian dance traditions for future generations.


    gabriella@wattanakdancetroupe.org

Our Logo: The Naga

At the heart of Wattanak Dance Troupe’s emblem is the majestic Naga, a serpent that embodies Cambodian ancestry, spirituality, and the sacred bridge between heaven and earth. The Naga’s sinuous movements are reflected in the intricate choreography of Cambodian dance, symbolizing grace, transformation, and resilience. This emblem pays homage to the genesis of Cambodian dance and serves as a visual testament to the interconnectedness of art, mythology, and spirituality. The Naga reminds us of the power of water to sustain life and the enduring connection between humanity and the divine.