Yim Saing was born in 1922. At the age of 16 years old, his grandfather and father taught him how to play five woodwind instruments, including the khloy and sralai. Yim Saing played his first concert when he was in his 20s. Today, Yim Saing is known as the "King of the Wind Instruments" and a master of flutes; he has taught these instruments to most of Cambodia’s traditional musicians.
However, after retiring from the Royal University of Fine Arts, he had little opportunity to play or teach. Since 1999, Yoem Saing has been a CLA teacher, helping to pass on what he knows.
Yim Saing’s daughter, Yim Chanthy, is also a young master of the flute who carries on the musical performing tradition of her family by giving concerts in Cambodian. She is also a teacher at the Royal University of Fine Arts. His son is an accomplished flute maker.
