{{Short description|Cambodian-American Khmer classical dancer}} {{Infobox artist | honorific_prefix = Neak Kru | name = Charya Cheam Burt<!-- include middle initial, if not specified in birth_name --> | honorific_suffix = | image = <!-- use the image's pagename; do not include the "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and do not use brackets--> | image_size = | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = Chancharya Cheam<!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|07|15}} <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living artists, {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} for dead. For living people supply only the year unless the exact date is already WIDELY published, as per WP:DOB. Treat such cases as if only the year is known, so use {{birth year and age|YYYY}} or a similar option. --> | birth_place = Phnom Penh, Cambodia | baptised = <!-- will not display if birth_date is entered --> | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} --> | nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per WP:INFONAT --> | education = Dance at Royal University of Fine Arts <br> BA in Liberal Arts Cum Laude at Sonoma State University | alma_mater = | known_for = | notable_works = | style = | movement = | spouse = Rob Burt | partner = | children = | parents = Bee Cheam, Sameth Chheng | father = | mother = | relatives = Chheng Phon | family = | awards = <!-- {{awd|award|year|title|role|name}} (optional) --> | signature = | signature_type = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | elected = | patrons = | memorials = | website = https://charyaburt.com <!-- {{URL|Example.com}} --> | module = }}
'''Charya Cheam Burt''' (born July 15, 1970) is a Cambodia-born American dancer, choreographer, vocalist, and teacher of Khmer classical dance. She is founder of Charya Burt Cambodian Dance company based in North San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States.
==Life and career== Charya Cheam Burt was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Bee Cheam and Sameth Chheng. Following the Khmer Rouge genocide, Burt was inspired to dance by her uncle Chheng Phon, training with Cambodia's surviving dance masters including Soth Sam On and toured internationally as a member of Royal Dance Troupe of Cambodia. In 1990, she became a dance faculty member at Cambodia's Royal University of Fine Arts.<ref name=press-2024-kalw /><ref name=press-2022-phnompenhpost /><ref name=press-2014-kqed /><ref name=press-2014-pbs /><ref name=press-2014-khmerartsacademy />
In 1993, Burt emigrated to the United States. Since then, she has been performing classical and original dances, creating and choreographing new dance works rooted in tradition, and training students throughout California, including multiple stints as artist-in-residence at Cambodian cultural centers in Stockton, San Jose, and Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach.<ref name=press-2013-sfch /><ref name=press-2013-sfgate /><ref name=press-2007-sfgate /><ref name=bio-acta /><ref name=work-counterpulse />
An inaugural Dance/USA and 2022 Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellow and Isadora Duncan Award recipient for Individual Performance, Burt has received multiple grants from the Center for Cultural Innovation, Creative Work Fund, and Alliance for California Traditional Arts including their Living Cultures Grant (2021) to create the Charya Burt Cambodian Dance Digital Library.<ref name=award-2002-duncan /><ref name=press-2007-sfgate /><ref name=award-2019-danceusa /><ref name=award-2021-acta /><ref name=award-2022-aa /><ref name=press-2020-danceusa /><ref name=press-2014-kqed /> A Hewlett 50 Commission was awarded her in 2021 to create The Rebirth of Apsara: Artistic Lineage, Cultural Resilience and the Resurrection of Cambodian Arts from the Ashes of Genocide that premiered at Sonoma State University's Green Music Center in 2024.<ref name=award-2021-hewlett /><ref name=premiere-rebirth /><ref name=press-2021-sfch /><ref name=press-2022-soconews />
Burt has performed her original works throughout the United States at venues including Jacob's Pillow, San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.<ref name=perf-jp /><ref name=perf-sfedf /><ref name=perf-osf /><ref name=press-2019-jpradio /><ref name=press-2020-danceusa /> Themes of her works include preservation and renewal of the Cambodian dance art-form, elevating of community dance groups, histories of Khmer Rouge and South East Asia, and colorism across contemporary cultures.<ref name=bio-mosaic /><ref name=press-2019-sonomawest /><ref name=press-2018-sonomawest /><ref name=press-2014-kqed /><ref name=press-2022-pressdem />
==Major choreographic works== *'''''Beautiful Dark'' (2024)''' **In partnership with Mosaic America supported by a Creative Work Fund Grant.<ref name=work-mosaic /> **May 2024 Premiere at Mexican Heritage Plaza Theatre, San Jose, California.<ref name=work-mosaic-recap /> *'''''The Rebirth of Apsara'' (2024)''' **A Folk And Traditional Arts Hewlett 50 Commission co-produced by New Performance Traditions/Paul Dresher Ensemble.<ref name=award-2021-hewlett /><ref name=press-2024-missionlocal /><ref name=press-2024-sfcv /> **February 2024 Premiere at Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California.<ref name=premiere-rebirth /><ref name=press-2024-pressdem /> **Composer: Chinary Ung<ref name=press-2024-chinaryung /> *'''''Silenced'' (2018)''' **Supported by grants from Investing in Artists/Center for Cultural Innovation, Dancers' Group, and Alliance for California Traditional Arts.<ref name=premiere-silenced /> **June 2018 Premiere with dancers from Khmer Arts Academy at the Studio Theatre Long Beach State University, Long Beach California.<ref name=premiere-silenced /> *'''''Of Spirits Intertwined'' (2018)''' **Presented by World Arts West for the 40th Anniversary of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, California.<ref name=premiere-intertwined /> *'''''Heavenly Garden'' (2016)''' {{Expand section|date=April 2025}}
==Major awards and honors== *2021 - 2024 Creative Work Fund to create Beautiful Dark in partnership with Mosaic America <ref name=award-2021-acta /> *2021 - 2024 Hewlett 50 Arts Commission recipient for Folk and Traditional arts to create The Rebirth of Apsara<ref name=award-2021-hewlett /> *2022 Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities<ref name=award-2022-johnson /> *2022 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Seed Commission Reassembladge film project<ref name=award-2022-ybgf /> *2021 – 2022 Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) Living Cultures Grant Program to establish an archival legacy dance library<ref name=award-2021-acta-list /> *2021 Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) Apprenticeship Program<ref name=award-2021-acta-apprentice /> *2019 – 2020 Inaugural Dance/USA Fellowship: Addressing Social Change<ref name=award-2019-danceusa /> *2017 - 2018 California Arts Council Activating Community: One-year residency with KAA to produce Silenced<ref name=award-2017-KAA /> *2002 Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Individual Performance 2000-2001<ref name=award-2002-duncan />
==References== <references>
<ref name=bio-acta>{{Cite web |title=Charya Cheam Burt |url=https://actaonline.org/profile/charya-cheam-burt/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Alliance for California Traditional Arts |language=en-US}}</ref>
<ref name=bio-mosaic>{{Cite web|url=https://mosaicamerica.org/mosaic-fellows/mosaic-fellow-charya-burt/|title=Mosaic Fellow - Charya Burt}}</ref>
<ref name=work-mosaic>{{Cite web|url=https://creativeworkfund.org/creative-work-fund-announces-1-1-million-in-grants-to-25-projects/|title=Creative Work Fund Announces $1.1 Million in Grants to 25 Projects | Creative Work Fund|website=creativeworkfund.org}}</ref>
<ref name=work-mosaic-recap>{{Cite web|url=https://mosaicamerica.org/beautiful-dark-a-recap/|title=Beautiful Dark - A Recap|date=May 31, 2024}}</ref>
<ref name=work-counterpulse>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Erica |title=Charya Burt |url=https://counterpulse.org/artist/charya-burt/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=CounterPulse |language=en-US}}</ref>
<ref name=premiere-rebirth>{{Cite web|url=https://www.happeningsonomacounty.com/events/the-rebirth-of-apsara/|title=The Rebirth of Apsara at Green Music Center|website=www.happeningsonomacounty.com}}</ref>
<ref name="premiere-silenced">{{Cite web|url=https://dancersgroup.org/2017/11/innovative-artist-traditional-teacher-passions-cambodian-choreographer-charya-burt/|title=Innovative Artist and Traditional Teacher: the Passions of Cambodian Choreographer Charya Burt|website=dancersgroup.org}}</ref>
<ref name=premiere-intertwined>{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2018|title=Uniting U.S. through dance|url=https://www.worldartswest.org/uploads/6/6/7/7/66777799/waw_program_2019.pdf|magazine=40th San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival|location=San Francisco|publisher= |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref>
<ref name=perf-jp>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jacobspillow.org/events/insideout-charya-cambodian-dance/|title=Inside/Out: Charya Burt Cambodian Dance}}</ref>
<ref name=perf-sfedf>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/dance-review-charya-burt-in-s-f-4590277.php|title=Dance review: Charya Burt in S.F.|first=Allan|last=Ulrich|date=June 10, 2013|website=SFGATE}}</ref>
<ref name=perf-osf>{{Cite web|url=https://www.osfashland.org/artist-biographies/green-show/Charya-Burt-Cambodian-Dance.aspx|title=Green Show Artist: Charya Burt Cambodian Dance|website=Oregon Shakespeare Festival}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2002-duncan>{{Cite web|url=https://www.izzies-sf.org/2007|title=2007 - 2000|website=The Isadora Duncan Dance Awards}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2022-aa>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americansforthearts.org/news-room/press-releases/americans-for-the-arts-honors-dance-artists-charya-burt-and-christopher-'mad-dog'-thomas-with-annual|title=Press Releases | Americans for the Arts|work=Americans for the Arts }}</ref>
<ref name=award-2021-acta>{{Cite web|url=https://actaonline.org/profile/charya-burt-cambodian-dance-company/|title=Charya Burt Cambodian Dance Company|website=Alliance for California Traditional Arts}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2021-acta-list>{{Cite web|url=https://actaonline.org/announcing-actas-2021-living-cultures-grantees/|title=Announcing ACTA's 2021 Living Culture Grantees|date=19 April 2021 }}</ref>
<ref name=award-2021-acta-apprentice>{{Cite web|url=https://actaonline.org/announcing-the-2021-acta-apprenticeship-cohort/|title=Announcing the 2021 ACTA Apprenticeship Cohort|date=8 February 2021 }}</ref>
<ref name=award-2019-danceusa>{{Cite web|url=https://www.danceusa.org/dfa-fellows|title=Dance/USA Artist Fellows|website=Dance/USA}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2021-hewlett>{{Cite web|url=https://hewlett.org/recipient/musical-traditions-and-charya-burt/|title=Musical Traditions and Charya Burt}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2022-johnson>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/promotion-and-recognition/awards-for-arts-achievement/johnson-fellowship-for-artists-transforming-communities/2022-johnson-fellowship-distinguished-nominees|title=2022 Johnson Fellowship Distinguished Nominees, Nominators, Selection Panel}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2022-ybgf>{{Cite web|url=https://ybgfestival.org/about/special-projects/seed-commissions-2022/|title=2022 Seed Commissions Artists}}</ref>
<ref name=award-2017-KAA>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ZfSyN_bPM|title=Charya Burt Cambodian Dance & Khmer Arts Academy Presents: "SILENCED"|website=YouTube |date=26 April 2018 }}</ref>
<ref name=press-2024-pressdem>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/entertainment/charya-burt-presents-cambodian-dance-at-green-music-center/|title=2 years in the making, Cambodian dance performance gets premiere in Rohnert Park|first=DAN|last=TAYLOR|date=January 25, 2024|website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2024-chinaryung>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/composer-chinary-ung-pays-tribute-to-his-mentor-chou-wen-chung|title=Composer Chinary Ung Pays Tribute to His Mentor Chou Wen-chung|website=www.bmi.com|date=14 March 2024 }}</ref>
<ref name=press-2024-sfcv>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfcv.org/articles/preview/rebirth-apsara-brings-centuries-old-cambodian-spirits-life|title=The Rebirth of Apsara Brings Centuries-Old Cambodian Spirits to Life|website=www.sfcv.org}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2024-missionlocal>{{Cite web|url=https://missionlocal.org/2024/01/new-life-for-cambodian-arts-with-the-rebirth-of-apsara/|title=A Cultural Mission: New life for Cambodian arts with 'The Rebirth of Apsara'|first=Andrew|last=Gilbert|date=January 31, 2024|website=Mission Local}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2024-kalw>{{Cite web |title=Underground Jazz Cabaret {{!}} Bay Area Cabaret {{!}} The Rebirth of Apsara |url=https://www.kalw.org/show/on-the-arts/2024-01-30/underground-jazz-cabaret-bay-area-cabaret-the-rebirth-of-apsara |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=KALW |language=en}} </ref>
<ref name=press-2022-phnompenhpost>{{Cite web|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/lifestyle-arts-culture/legendary-traditional-khmer-dance-master-neak-kru-charya-burt|title=Legendary traditional Khmer dance master Neak Kru Charya Burt|publisher=The Phnom Penh Post}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2022-pressdem>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/entertainment/sonoma-county-choreographer-confronts-lingering-aftermath-of-70s-cambodian/|title=How a Cambodia-born Windsor choreographer is using dance to help save her native culture|first=DAN|last=TAYLOR|date=February 18, 2022|website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2022-soconews>{{Cite web |first=Elsa |last=Cavazos |date=January 25, 2022 |title=Windsor resident wins fellowship for work with Cambodian dance |url=https://soconews.org/scn_windsor/news/windsor-resident-wins-fellowship-for-work-with-cambodian-dance/article_e99116da-7d41-11ec-9bdb-47ce0208da91.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127232446/https://soconews.org/scn_windsor/news/windsor-resident-wins-fellowship-for-work-with-cambodian-dance/article_e99116da-7d41-11ec-9bdb-47ce0208da91.html |archive-date=2022-01-27 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=SoCoNews}} </ref>
<ref name=press-2021-sfch>{{Cite web|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/hewlett-foundation-will-fund-10-creative-projects-in-folk-and-traditional-arts|title=Hewlett Foundation will fund 10 creative projects in folk and traditional arts}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2020-danceusa>{{Cite web|url=https://www.danceusa.org/ejournal/2020/09/24/community-builders-transmission-and-legacies-immigrant-american-artists|title=Community Builders: Transmission and Legacies of Immigrant American Artists|date=September 24, 2020|website=Dance/USA}}</ref>
<ref name="press-2014-kqed">{{cite web | url=http://ww2.kqed.org/arts/2014/02/20/cambodias-dark-past-behind-her-a-dancer-steps-into-the-light/ | title=Cambodia's Dark Past Behind Her, A Dancer Steps into the Light | KQED | date=20 February 2014 }}</ref>
<ref name=press-2019-jpradio>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ijpr.org/show/the-jefferson-exchange/2019-07-02/charya-burt-presents-dances-of-cambodia-at-osf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612180553/https://www.ijpr.org/show/the-jefferson-exchange/2019-07-02/charya-burt-presents-dances-of-cambodia-at-osf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 12, 2024|title=Charya Burt Presents Dances Of Cambodia At OSF|website=Jefferson Public Radio}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2019-sonomawest> (2019) [http://www.sonomawest.com/the_windsor_times/news/art-helps-create-social-change-in-refugee-communities-thanks-to/article_ef8e8752-7d71-11e9-bbc1-238d04d9c945.html Art helps create social change in refugee communities thanks to article] ''The Windsor Star'' </ref>
<ref name=press-2018-sonomawest>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ZfSyN_bPM|title=Charya Burt Cambodian Dance & Khmer Arts Academy Presents: "SILENCED"|date=April 26, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2014-khmerartsacademy>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdwMjhx3lbE|title=HELLO SUORSDEY - Khmer Arts Academy with Master Dance Instructur CHARYA BURT 11/18/17|date=January 15, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2014-pbs>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/watch-the-1000-year-old-dance-tradition-nearly-killed-by-the-khmer-rouge|title=Watch the 1000-year-old dance tradition nearly killed by the Khmer Rouge|date=April 7, 2015|website=PBS News}}</ref>
<ref name=press-2013-sfch>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/performance/article/encounter-with-charya-burt-cambodian-dance-4563513.php|title=Encounter with Charya Burt Cambodian Dance|first=Allan|last=Ulrich|date=May 31, 2013|website=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref><ref name=press-2013-sfgate>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/dance-review-charya-burt-in-s-f-4590277.php|title=Dance review: Charya Burt in S.F.|first=Allan|last=Ulrich|work=SFGATE }}</ref>
<ref name=press-2007-sfgate>{{cite web | url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Cambodian-dancer-turns-to-Tennessee-Williams-2589769.php | title=Cambodian dancer turns to Tennessee Williams | work=SFGATE | last1=Howard | first1=Rachel }}</ref>
</references>
==External links== *[https://charyaburt.com Charya Burt Cambodian Dance Company] *[https://charyaburt.com/library-homepage/ Charya Burt Cambodian Dance Digital Library]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burt, Charya}} Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:People from Phnom Penh Category:Cambodian dancers Category:American choreographers Category:American dancers of Asian descent