La Compagnie BosbaPANH: Biography
La Compagnie BosbaPANH
BosbaPANH was born in 1997 from a traditional Cambodian family and has two brothers, aged 16 and 7. She is the niece of the famous film-maker, PANH Rithy, whose films have been awarded international recognition and prizes at leading cinema competitions such as the Cannes Festival in France and the Mostra of Venice in Italy. His most famous documentary is “S-21, the war machine”.
BosbaPANH started her guitar lessons when she was 7 and in less than three months was able to play “Yellow Submarine” from the Beatles. A year after, she started her singing lessons and Khmer traditional dance “Robam Preah Reach Troab” or dance from the Royal Palace. Her teacher Narim is the third generation of dancers in her family and a member of the Royal Ballet. Bosba's ability was discovered when she met with a soprano singing teacher in China who judged her voice to be the quality of a coloratura soprano and concluded that "Bosba is born to sing".
Besides her passion for music and doing well in school, BosbaPANH also practices judo and swimming. To develop her breathing capacity to sing well, BosbaPANH plays sports daily, coached by teachers who are national champions. She also takes care every morning of her domestic animals such as her birds, dog or duck. She even finds time to read one or two books a week, and even finished reading an entire dictionary.
BosbaPANH is living in French, Khmer, Lao and Thai cultures. She travels extensively and has relatives or friends in these countries. This has influenced the musical style of the band which blends music from the Mekong Region as well as western songs. Already she is singing in French, Khmer, Lao, Thai, Malay and Japanese.
PANHlauv, 8 years old - Flute
Panhlauv is the younger brother of Bosba. He accompanies her in the song "'75 On the Bridge, Under the Bridge". He surprised many of the elder musicians with his precise and forceful interpretation. In the summer of 2006, under the direction of Prof Yang, conductor of the Sichuan Provincial Symphonic Orchestra, Panhlauv started his formal training in flute. In less than 3 weeks, he could blow steadily and play three compositions. Yang, who has trained hundreds of Chinese students was amazed by the musical sense of Panhlauv and by the capacity for a 6-year old kid to play a difficult instrument. He predicts that with appropriate training, Panhlauv could become a conductor himself in his late teens.
Sibxynapan - Piano
Sibxy, 17, is the elder brother of Bosba and joins La Compagnie Bosbapanh in "Phnom Penh". He plays piano but is at his best in traditional Khmer dancing. He learnt at the age of 7 the art of dancing the figures of the Ramayana, starting with Rama, the Prince then learnt the "Yeak", the figure of the demon. Now studying in China, he blends contemporary dancing and Kung Fu arts with traditional Khmer dancing.
CHEY Vattana - flute, arrangements
Vattana is from a family of artists whose parents are working for the Ministry of Culture. In 1991, he entered the Royal University of Fine Arts and graduated in 2005, majoring in flute. During his studies, Vattana led his fellow musicians in organizing several concerts. He is now teaching at the same university and performs regularly in national and international performances. He won the second prize at the Nou Hach music competition for a creative piece of music he wrote. He is the leader of our group and takes care of the songs arrangements.
CHAN Kiri - guitar
Kiri is from a farming family in Svay Rieng Province. Passionate about music, he decided to enter the University of Fine Arts in 2002 to study guitar. He perfected his art in acoustic guitar under the guidance of a Brasilian professor and other visiting professors. Graduating in 2006, he now teaches at an International School in Phnom Penh as well as gives private lessons.
NAM Narath - singer
Narath comes from an artist family. Encouraged by her mother, an achieved Yeak dancer (demon in the Rayamana epic) from the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, she embraced an artistic career and graduated from the University of Fine Arts in 2006. She participated in several performances, inside and outside the country. She is now a music teacher.
HUY Sreang - clarinet
Sreang is from Kandal province. A teacher from the University of Fine Arts discovered his talent and encouraged him to enter the university. He graduated in 2004 and is now a teacher at the same university. He is one among the five clarinetists graduated in the country. He performs regularly in national and international festivals. In his spare time, he loves to cook and play football.
MAO Samnang - violin
Samnang comes from Prey Veng province. His grandfather and cousin were violinists and inspired him to embrace the same passion for music. He graduated from the Royal University of Fine Arts in 2004. He performs regularly in national and international concerts. In his spare time, he likes to listen to music and to play volleyball.
UY Thach - violin
Thach is from a rural family in Kompong Chhnang. She was inspired and guided by her uncle who plays trumpet and entered the University of Fine Arts in 1988. Graduating in 2002, she now plays in national and international performances, and performs regularly in luxury five-star hotels such as the Raffles Royal Hotel. She is a professor at the University of Fine Arts, teaching others her passion for the violin.
RONG Sareyvann - piano
Vann comes from Phnom Penh. His father is a guitarist and his mother a singer. His mother enrolled him at the National School of Fine Arts. He plays every evening at the Raffles Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh. He spends his time listening to music to improve his art.
RONG Séreyvuth - bass guitar
Vudh is the elder brother of Sareyvann. His mother enrolled him at the Royal University of Fine Arts. He has participated in several performances organized by his University and for private parties. He has already participated in several recordings. During his spare time he likes to listen to music and play sports.