Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
The mission of Angkor Dance Troupe is to connect communities through the preservation, education, and innovation of Cambodian performing arts, while fostering youth development and empowerment. By innovation, we mean creating new works and fresh interpretations that honor the essence of Khmer traditions while responding to the experiences, ideas, and voices of today. Through cultural arts training, young people gain discipline, confidence, leadership skills, and a deep sense of identity.
Our Vision
Our vision is for Lowell, Massachusetts, to be a center for Cambodian performing arts, culture, and history, with the Angkor Dance Troupe at its core. Through our classes and high-quality performances, we maintain the integrity of Cambodian traditions while adapting to societal changes and cultivating the next generation of dancers, teachers, mentors, and leaders.
What We Do
At Angkor Dance Troupe, we preserve, teach, and evolve Cambodian performing arts to inspire the next generation. Our work blends time-honored traditions with contemporary expression, ensuring Khmer arts not only survive, but thrive.
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Our programs are rooted in three guiding principles:
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Cultural Preservation – We safeguard Cambodia's artistic heritage through rigorous instruction in classical dance, folk traditions, and traditional music.
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Innovation – We foster creativity by encouraging youth to explore new forms of storytelling and artistic expression rooted in cultural identity. By innovation, we mean creating new works and fresh interpretations that honor the essence of Khmer traditions while responding to the experiences, ideas, and voices of today.
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Youth Development & Empowerment – We prioritize building the capacity of youth—particularly from immigrant and low-income backgrounds—through a structured learning environment, mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities to coordinate, present, perform, and teach.
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We offer year-round instruction in Cambodian classical and folk dance, traditional music, and cultural storytelling for youth and adults, starting at age six. Through cultural arts training, young people gain discipline, confidence, leadership skills, and a deep sense of identity that carries into their academic, professional, and civic lives.
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Through performances, workshops, residencies, and leadership development, ADT builds community, nurtures youth potential, and keeps Khmer culture vibrant in the diaspora and beyond. Our youth-centered and artistically innovative approach ensures Cambodian performing arts continue to grow, inspire, and resonate with new generations.
Classical Dance Program
Rooted in Cambodia’s royal traditions, our Classical Dance Program preserves the sacred beauty of Khmer court dance while cultivating new generations of artists. Students as young as six learn thousands of intricate gestures and movements under the guidance of master artists –developing discipline, grace, and cultural pride through one of Cambodia’s most revered art forms.
Folk Dance Program
Celebrating Cambodia’s rural heritage and ethnic diversity, our Folk Dance Program teaches community-based dances that depict stories of daily life, courtship, and ritual. Youth learn traditional music, costumes, and choreography while exploring how these living traditions can evolve with time – blending preservation with personal and collective expression.
Traditional Music Program
Our Traditional Music Program ensures the survival of Cambodia’s rich sonic traditions by teaching youth to play classical instruments such as the roneat, skor, and khloy. Students train in the Pinpeat and Mahori ensembles and gain an ear for sacred rhythms and ceremonial melodies –building both technical mastery and a lifelong respect for cultural legacy.
Leadership Development
More than performers, our students become mentors, teachers, and cultural ambassadors. Through leadership opportunities -including peer mentoring, public speaking, and organizing community events – youth grow into confident changemakers who honor the past while shaping the future of Khmer arts.
Residency Program
In partnership with Lowell Public Schools, our Residency Program introduces middle school youth to traditional Khmer arts through in-school classes and performances. For many students, this is their first connection to Cambodian culture. Through culturally responsive instruction, they gain discipline, creative expression, and a sense of belonging.
Cultural Exchange Initiatives
Our Cultural Exchange Initiatives bring together artists from Cambodia, the U.S., and beyond to share knowledge, co-create, and celebrate Khmer performing arts. Whether hosting visiting master artists or touring internationally, these exchanges encourage innovation while honoring shared roots – deepening the global understanding of Cambodia’s cultural legacy.
Performances
Performances are at the heart of Angkor Dance Troupe’s mission. From intimate community showcases to large-scale cultural events, our students present classical and folk repertoire with pride and excellence. These events foster community connection, celebrate heritage, and demonstrate the living power of Khmer arts.
Workshops
Our workshops bring Cambodian performing arts into schools, universities, and community centers. Participants gain hands-on experience in classical dance, folk movement, or traditional instruments while learning about Cambodia’s history, symbolism, and values. Workshops are tailored to age, ability, and context – offering rich, immersive learning for all.
Cultural Preservation & Innovation
We are committed to both protecting and progressing Cambodian arts. Through oral history documentation, multimedia archives, and the creation of new interpretive works, we ensure that traditional knowledge is not only preserved – but adapted and reimagined for future generations.
Contact Us
Our Locations
Stay in Touch!
Subscribe to our newsletters and follow our social media to learn about upcoming performances, program updates, and how you can support Angkor Dance Troupe.
​Office: (978) 275-1823
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Email: info@angkordance.org
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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1553
Lowell, MA 01853
Lowell National Historical Park,
Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center
40 French St. 3rd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
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Western Ave Studios
122 Western Ave.​ Lowell, MA 01851
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Hours will vary. Please contact us if you would like to schedule a visit.
