www.mujestic.com - K. A. A.

K . A . A . : 375 Redondo Avenue, Suite 156. Long Beach, Ca 90814 - phone: ( 562 ) 856-3341 fax: ( 562 ) 856-3342

The Khmer Art Academy is a public benefit organization dedicated to fostering the vitality of Cambodian arts and culture and to expand the role arts and culture plays in the developments and well being of young people and of society as a whole. The Academy sees itself as a nexus of arts and culture in a community that is endowed with wonderful traditions thats is looking for ways to use those traditions to improve its quality of life.

Cambodian Classical Dance & Music.

"Roban kbech boraan," or a classical dance, is Cambodian culture's most precious form of art. Developed as a vehicle for worship in the temples of ancient Angkor, this highly stylized dance
is noted for its intricate hand gestures and shimmering costumes. "pin-peat", the form of traditional
music that accompanies the dance, is performed by an ensemble of xylophones, gongs, cymbals and oboes. In Long Beach and other Cambodian American communities, traditional dance and music have pave the way for recent immigrants and their children to celebrate their heritage and to share its richness with their new neighbors.

* Workshop and training programs in traditional forms of dance and music.

* Enrichment programs in collaboration with the Girl Scouts.

* Sponsorship of special events involving public performances by the Academy's
ensemble as well as by other performing art troupes.

* Public performances at communtiy-based events, festivals, and domestic tours.

* Development of new creative styles, locally and collaboratively with artists in Cambodia.

* Grant writing, publicity and other services for community-based artists.

* Research, documentation, and other forms of cultural perservation.

* Dissemination of knowledge regarding Cambodian arts and culture, including outreach
in public schools and at Universities and Colleges.

Does the Academy perform in public ?
The Academy's ensemble, which is made up of masters, apprentices and guest artists, performs at major venues, festivals, museums, universities and communtiy-based celebrations.
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How can I learn to dance or play music ?
The Academy conducts open workshops and intensive training programs. The best way to get started is to attend one of its Saturday workshops. Call for datail about time and location.
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Can I participate ?
Yes. Although most of our students are the ages of 8 to 18, anyone is welcome to participate in the open workshop.
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Who teaches the workshop ?
The Academy's faculty is made up of professional artists from Cambodia, who trained at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh or with provincial master artists.
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How long has the Academy been around ?
Incorporated in 2002, the Academy is a relatively new organization, though it is a natural extension of ork that its Artistic Director, Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, has been conducting since 1991 when she immigrated to Southern California from her native Cambodia.
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Can I make a donation to the Khmer Arts Academy?
The Khmer Arts Academy welcomes your support. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, so your donations are deductible.
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