Mr. Nong started training as an opera singer and actor when he was four years old. Born into a famous opera family (the same opera family as that of CLA founder Arn Chorn-Pond), Nong Chok learned from his grandfather and uncle. He became a member of one of Cambodia's premier traveling opera companies, studying under ensemble founder Chiit Leung and his son Chiit Chorn. By the time he was 20 Nong Chok was a famous regional star of Khmer traditional opera in northwest Cambodia.
Nong Chok’s life changed dramatically when the Khmer Rouge came to power. Nong Chok’s mother starved to death, and Nong Chok was forced to work in the fields. One day, after a long day of working in the fields, Nong Chok was summoned to sing before Pol Pot and was terrified that he might be killed. He miraculously survived.
When the Cambodian Living Arts (then called the Cambodian Master Performers Program) first located Nong Chok, he was driving a taxi for a living in a remote city. He always dreamed of reviving his family's opera, but never managed to do so.
Today, Nong Chok continues to demonstrate his musical talent by teaching several students the vocal traditions he learned as a youth. He has been a CLA Master since 2000. Nong Chok works with his students one on one or in groups to help them strengthen their singing skills and familiarity with traditional songs.