Folk Arts - Master Artist - Chan Moly Sam

Chan Moly Sam. Photo by Fritz Dent.

Chan Moly Sam was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to a wealthy family who lived in the center of the city. When she was twelve, Moly enrolled in dance classes at the Palace, in secret from her family. Not long after enrolling in classes, she found out that the newly formed University of Fine Arts was accepting young students. She finally felt confident enough to share her secret with her family after passing the two required entrance exams. Her father objected, but her liberal-minded mother spoke up in her behalf.

 

At the University Moly studied first with Chheng Phon, the revered dance master who developed the folk dance repertoire in the early days of the University. After receiving her diploma with him, she went on to study with Chea Samy, a technically proficient dancer who had been a star in the royal ballet corps.

 

In the 1970’s Moly followed her husband to the Philippines. There, she gave birth to her fist child, and the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. All communication between Cambodia and the outside world was cut-off. Disconnected from their home, Moly’s young family moved to the US. Once in the US, the Sam’s became worried that they, Cambodians outside the county, were the only ones to carry on the traditions. Moly and her husband, Sam-Ang, became involved with the Cambodians American Heritage Troupe in Washington, DC. Later, they founded the Apsara Ensemble in Connecticut.

 

Moly was able to return home 15 years after her move to the US. Her family there was dead, but her teachers were not. With their help, she mastered not only the techniques of the dance, but also the complex spiritual aspects of the dance form. She is now a master of traditional Cambodian dance, bringing her children into the discipline, and helping Cambodians all over America find their roots. Ms. Sam and her husband, Sam-Ang Sam, performed and taught throughout the Puget Sound area between 1988-1992 before moving to the East Coast. Moly and her family returned to the Seattle area in 1998. Both Moly and her students perform regularly as the Apsara Ensemble and have danced at Northwest Folk life Festival for the past several years.

As a recipient of a 1999 Apprenticeship grant, Moly taught Randy Kith The Monkey Dance (Svay Prachap) a Khmer court or temple dance. The Monkey Dance (Svay Prachap) is based off of a Hindu-Buddhist epic story. The dance was traditionally performed by women. Since the 1950s men have been replacing women in this dance role. The Monkey Dance combines acrobatic skill and a refined court dance discipline and technique.

As a recipient of a 2000 Apprenticeship grant, Moly taught Lindsey Kith the Sovann Machha Dance and taught Randy Kith the Monkey's Fight Dance. The Monkey’s Fight Dance stresses stylized combat dance while the Sovann Machha Dance emphasizes more gentle, subtle, and humorous gestures.

Randy and Lindsey were both introduced to Khmer dance and at early age and have thrived under Moly Sam's lessons. Lessons usually begin with an offering of thanks made to an adorned alter. Students warm up with stretching exercises which give them the flexibility to create the beautiful and varied bodily expressions in Khmer dance. Hand gestures, gymnastic roles and somersaults, delicately balanced stances, and facial expressions are some of the many components of Khmer court dancing.

In 2002 Chan Moly Sam was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for her dedication and inspiration to the Cambodian community. She is also a recipient of a WSAC Folk Arts Fellowship.

 

In 2008 Moly Sam was featured in a short documentary film, part of our American Masterworks series highlighting the excellent arts and artists of Washington state.