Since 1998, The Cambodian American Resource Agency
Has provided high quality cultural programming for the Cambodian American community in San Jose. We currently offer a Khmer literacy class (Sala Khmer) and traditional Cambodian dance class (The Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose) on Sundays.
The people that make it possible
The Cambodian American Resource Agency is only possible from the relentless energy that comes from our board members, volunteers, and instructors.
Our Board
Ryan Boun, Creative Director
Tola Sutherland, Sala Khmer Instructor
Savary Dean studied classical and folk dance at the University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh. She has been teaching Cambodian dance in the United States since 1981 and with the Cambodian American Resource Agency since 1998. Through her art, she honors her dance colleagues and teachers who were lost during the Khmer Rouge genocide, and mentors the next generation of dancers who will carry on this legacy.
Ryan Boun is the Creative Director of the Cambodian Resource Agency and an instructor for the Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose (CCDTSJ). An alumnus of CCDTSJ, he began studying under Neakkru Savary Dean at age 14. He was also an Alliance for California Traditional Arts apprentice with Neakkru Charya Burt. His projects Beyond Borders: An Evening of Music From Battambang (2023) and 50 Years: Remembering, Healing, and Building (2025), showcase the vitality of Cambodian traditional artists in the diaspora. He has also studied Cambodian traditional music under Lokkru Dorivan Keo and National Endowment for the Arts Fellow Lokkru Ngek Chum.
Tola Sutherland was born in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and studied Cambodian classical dance throughout her childhood. Prior to immigrating to the United States, she was an elementary school teacher in Siem Reap. She brings her teaching expertise to CARA as the Khmer language instructor for Sala Khmer. She also supports the CCDTSJ dance program.
Dr. Ankara Uy-Has
Executive Director
Davy Chea
Board Secretary
Sorakphykun Bunthon
Board Treasurer
Chamroeun Yean
Volunteer since 1998
Our Program Staff
Savary Dean, Dance Director
Programs
