Neakru Hieng Nayto

Neakru Hieng Nayto is a master teacher of Khmer classical dance with a lifelong dedication to preserving and transmitting Cambodia’s artistic heritage. Born in 1950, she began studying classical dance at the age of three and gave her first public performance by age nine. Over the decades, her passion and expertise have made her a pillar in the Cambodian arts community, both at home and abroad.

Neak Kru Nayto was part of the generation that trained under legendary master teacher Neak Kru Chea Samy, whose work was instrumental in reviving classical dance traditions in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia. She contributed to the development of iconic pieces still taught today and helped bring Cambodian classical dance to international stages, performing and leading workshops across Asia, Europe, and the United States. In addition to her performances, she played a key role in choreographing and preserving dances now integrated into Cambodia’s formal arts education curriculum.

Since 2001, Neak Kru Nayto has been based in the U.S., continuing to share her knowledge with the Cambodian diaspora. Her deep love for Khmer dance fuels her commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. She believes in cultivating cultural pride through tradition and considers it her life’s work to ensure that Cambodian children, both in Cambodia and abroad, stay connected to their heritage through the beauty and discipline of classical dance.