Putery A. Long

Putery Long was born in Takeo, Cambodia, and raised in Phnom Penh. During the Khmer Rouge regime, she relocated to Siem Reap and eventually fled to Khao-I-Dang refugee camp where she practiced arts and crafts and learned classical dance.

Since her arrival to the US in 1981, she has frequently collaborated and performed with her cousin, Chamroeun Yin. They quickly built a reputation for themselves as Philadelphia's premiere Cambodian classical dancers. Long became Yin's teaching assistant at the Fleisher Art Memorial. She would go on to volunteer with the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia as a dance instructor, folding in the contemporary interests of her students by incorporating hip-hop into her lessons. This would jumpstart the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC)'s Hip Hop Heritage, a multi-racial and multi-ethnic youth arts program

Putery currently works for SEAMAAC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees, and other marginalized communities as they seek to advance their lives in the United States. She also volunteers with Cambodian American Girls Empowering (CAGE). She will collaborate with young Cambodian American dancers in Philadelphia, guiding them in the art of crafting Cambodian classical dance costumes. Over the course of several months together, they will delve into the rich tapestry of traditional techniques, preserving this cultural heritage while also pioneering new costume styles and innovative techniques tailored for a new generation. Putery hopes to support future generations of Cambodian American dancers by passing down her knowledge and 33+ years of experience in this field.