Our History
POM Foundation was originally founded in 2002 by the passion and dedication of one amazing woman, Pom Outama Khampradith. The program started as a small Laotian dance troupe called, Kinnaly, named after a celestial creature that is half bird, half human.
Over the years, Kinnaly grew tremendously, and in 2007, Lao Heritage Foundation was created to foster rapid growth across the nation. From 2007-2014, Lao Heritage Foundation & Kinnaly Lao Traditional Music & Dance added Lao music classes, cultural exchange programs, Lao talent shows, Lao summer camps, and educational summits to continue to expand their mission of preserving, fostering, and educating about Lao arts and culture.
In 2014, Pom Outama Khampradith passed away from a long and painful battle with cancer and the Seattle chapter of Lao Heritage Foundation separated and formed POM Foundation in honor of her leadership and legacy.
Today, POM Foundation, continues on their late founder's legacy with weekly Lao traditional music and dance classes, annual Lao Summer Camps, bi-annual Lao cultural exchanges, annual FORTE: Lao Cultural Showcase, and a commitment to serving and empowering the Lao American community.
A full timeline of milestone events can be found below.
Pom Khampradith (in green) with her first five students (left to right) Latana, Olivia, Katherina "Poupee", Phonetip & Kathy, 2002.
Our Milestones
2002
Pom Outama Khampradith created Kinnaly Dance Troupe. The original troupe comprised of five young girls.
2007
The Lao Heritage Foundation Pacific Northwest Chapter was formed. With this formation, the Kinnaly Dance Troupe became a program of this new chapter.
2008
The Kinnaly Dance Troupe added traditional music and the group name was changed to Kinnaly Lao Traditional Music and Dance Troupe. This name is still being used to this day. This was also the first year of the Lao Summer Camp and FORTE: Lao Talent Showcase.
2011
1st Annual Cultural Exchange, where students and parents from the U.S. visited Laos and learned from the masters at the Lao National School of Music and Dance.
2012
2nd Annual Cultural Exchange, masters from the Lao National School of Music & Dance traveled to Seattle and Washington D.C. The group consisted of four (4) music masters, two (2) dance masters and one (1) official.
2013
3rd Annual Cultural Exchange: Students and parents return to Laos for the second time. This time the group was much larger, consisting of 26 students and 19 adults.
2014
4th Annual Cultural Exchange: Professors from the Lao National School of Music & Dance returned to Seattle to teach at the 7th Annual Lao Summer Day-Camp.
2016
Chittraphone Outama Khampradith Foundation DBA POM Foundation was formed. With the passing of the founding person, the Pacific Northwest team decided to start new foundation under a new name. The goals and objectives remain the same.
5th Annual Cultural Exchange: Students and parents returned to Laos for the third time. The group consisted of eleven (11) students and eight (8) adults.
Three (3) masters from the Lao National School of Music & Dance return to Seattle to teach at the 9th Annual Lao Summer Camp.
Visit from H.E. Ambassador Mai Sayavongs, Madame Sayavongs and First Secretary Bounthala Panyavichith.
2017
6th Annual Cultural Exchange: Four (4) masters from the Lao National School of Music & Dance, two (2) music masters and two (2) dance masters, return to Seattle to teach at the 10th Annual Lao Summer Camp.
