Lokru Chummeng Soun

Lok Kru Chummeng Soun is the Program Director, Dance Instructor, and Principal Dancer at Angkor Dance Troupe. His journey began at the age of 11 in Lowell, Massachusetts, when he followed his sibling to an after-school dance program with ADT - an experience that would quietly transform into a lifelong calling. Mentored by Neak Kru Phen Yom, a Khmer Rouge survivor, he was taught foundational techniques rarely transmitted outside the traditional master-apprentice lineage. By 18, he had mastered the iconic role of the Yeak (ogre), grounding his artistic identity in the powerful storytelling of Khmer classical dance.

Born in Cambodia and raised in the U.S., Lok Kru Chummeng stands at the confluence of cultures, languages, and histories. As a pioneering Cambodian American dance practitioner, he is committed to preserving Khmer performing arts while boldly reimagining them for a new generation. He fuses classical training with contemporary practice, developing innovative, diasporic-centered approaches to choreography, pedagogy, and cultural expression.

As co-founder of Urban Khmer Ballet (UKB), one of Lowell’s most boundary-pushing troupes, he challenges traditional frameworks with performances rooted in community healing, social change, and reclaimed imagination. His work has been featured at art festivals, conferences, and cultural showcases, and continues to inspire young Khmer Americans to embrace the transformative power of dance.

Through ADT and beyond, Lok Kru Chummeng cultivates a vibrant space where tradition and innovation meet - mentoring youth, leading collaborative projects, and ensuring that Khmer dance remains a living, evolving force within the Cambodian American experience.