Wattanak Dance Troupe

Our Story

Wattanak Dance Troupe was founded in 2008 to preserve a sacred art form that nearly vanished during the Khmer Rouge genocide. Artists, teachers, and cultural leaders were systematically targeted, leaving entire lineages erased. One of our founders, Yousedy Peov, survived and became part of the first graduating class from the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh after the genocide. She, and other survivors, painstakingly rebuilt this dance form from memory, passing it down to the next generation of artists. Today, that legacy lives in Minnesota through Wattanak Dance Troupe. 

Our organization is a home for community, heritage, and artistic growth. We provide instruction, mentorship, and performance opportunities for youth and emerging artists while offering audiences the chance to experience this rich, expressive tradition. Each performance is both a celebration of artistry and a continuation of a lineage nearly lost to history.

Our Mission 

We exist to preserve, teach, and share classical and folk dance traditions with authenticity, integrity, and community care. Through education, public performance, and mentorship, we foster cultural pride, identity, and connection. Our work builds bridges between generations, offering young dancers skills and confidence, elders memories renewed, and audiences a window into a resilient, living heritage.