Nalys Sok

Sok Nalys សុខ ណាលីស is a Royal Ballet of Cambodia dancer, a dance teacher and a heritage preservation researcher with DC-CAM (2020−2021), the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (General Department of Cultural Techniques, since 2021). Nalys contributes research on cultural heritage to Angkor Database since May 2024.

After majoring at Phnom Penh Secondary School of Fine Arts in 2013, Nalys performed in Fondamentus, a UNESCO-sponsored royal held in Angkor Wat in 2014, and was awarded a gold medal in recognition for this performance by HM King Norodom Sihamoni. Playing the role of Apsara Neayrong was natural for her, as she remarked in a 2023 interview: ​“Since childhood, I have specialized in playing male characters. When I dance with a female character, I deeply feel she is the love of my life.” Recalling HRH Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, she said: ​“We, the dancers, always called her ​“Mom”. Her passing away [on 18 November 2019] was a terrible loss for all, and it had a huge impact on the Royal Ballet.

While completing her Master Degree in Holocaust Studies at University of Haifa, Israel (2021−2024), she performed as a Royal Ballet dancer in various events, and was one of the leading perfomers along with Serei Vankosaun in Xavier de Lauzanne’s movie The Perfect Motion, which premiered in Cambodia on 1 April 2023.