Community Centered, Future Focused

Our story

Wattanak Dance Troupe was founded in 2008 by Master Yousedy Peov with a clear mission: to preserve, teach, and sustain the living traditions of Cambodian classical and folk dance for future generations. Rooted in discipline, lineage, and cultural responsibility, the organization continues to grow as a space for artistic training, cultural education, and community connection within the Cambodian diaspora and beyond.

The legacy we carry is shaped by both profound beauty and profound loss. During the period of the Khmer Rouge genocide, Cambodia’s artistic communities were severely disrupted, and many master artists, teachers, and cultural knowledge holders were lost. In the aftermath, survivors and diaspora communities undertook the essential work of preservation, reconstruction, and transmission, ensuring that these traditions would not disappear.

Wattanak Dance Troupe exists within that continuum of renewal. Founded in the United States by Master Yousedy Peov and carried forward by dedicated artists and educators, WDT serves as a living vessel for Cambodian performing arts—honoring ancestral knowledge while nurturing its practice in contemporary contexts.

Today, our work reflects both remembrance and responsibility. We honor the resilience of those who preserved these traditions under unimaginable circumstances, and we remain committed to cultivating the next generation of dancers, educators, and cultural stewards who will continue this lineage with care, integrity, and pride.

Our founders

Founder Yousedy Peov

The founders of Wattanak Dance Troupe, Sodanny Eir and Yousedy Peov, are graduates of the prestigious Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As former dancers with the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, they toured internationally, gracing stages from Paris to Los Angeles and sharing the timeless beauty of Cambodian classical dance with audiences worldwide. Their rigorous training, artistic expertise, and lived experience make them profound cultural stewards and educators.

In the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime—which devastated Cambodia’s artistic community and claimed the lives of countless dancers, artists, and teachers—Peov was part of the first generation to revive and rebuild Cambodia’s cultural heritage. They carried forward the tradition of passing down the sacred art of classical dance from teacher to student, honoring the generational cycle that has preserved this art form for centuries. Their teaching ensured that Cambodian dance remained a living testament to resilience and identity.

Their dedication to this generational legacy has empowered a new wave of dancers, fostering technical mastery and a deep connection to the stories, spirituality, and cultural identity embedded in every movement. Today, the Wattanak Dance Troupe flourishes under the leadership of their former students, Sarath Nob and Garrett Sour. They continue the founders' vision of preserving and passing down this art form, ensuring it thrives for future generations.

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 both male (Nearong) and female (Neang) roles. 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 12, 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.