Education
2024
University of Illinois (UIUC), Master of Fine Arts in Dance (MFA), Champaign, IL
// Graduate & Teaching Assistant - PreDoc Fellow
2020
University of Washington (UW), Bachelor of Arts, Dance Major, Seattle, WA
2018 - 2020
UW Annual Dean’s List in the College of Art and Sciences, Seattle, WA
// GPA 3.90, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
2019
University of Washington Study Abroad in London, London, England
// Three-Course Series in Theatre Production, Contemporary Britain, and Creative Writing
2016 - 2018
Bellevue College, Associate in Arts and Science, Bellevue, WA
2010 - 2013
Gyeonggi Art High School, Theatre and Film Diploma, Bucheon, South Korea
Choreography
2024
Chronic Translation, MFA Dance Thesis, February Dance 2024, Dance at Illinois
//UIUC, Department of Dance, Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center for Performing Arts (KCPA), Urbana, IL
2023
Two Chairs, American College Dance Association
//East Central Region Invited Performance, Ohio University, OH
2022
Two Chairs, October Dance 2022, Dance at Illinois
//UIUC, Department of Dance, Cowell Playhouse, KCPA, Urbana, IL
2021
Two-Body, Independent Project of Contemporary Tango, co-choreographer, Kato Lindholm
//UIUC, Department of Dance, Urbana, IL
2020
Breathing Action, #Take 1
//limchumdance Independent Art-making Project, Incheon Grand Park, Incheon, South Korea
2020
Do We Have Home? Seattle International Dance Festival 2020 (virtual)
//Presented on “Spotlight on Seattle Now Program” Seattle, WA Artistic Director of Festival, Cyrus Khambatta
2020
Do We Have Home? Dance Major Concert 2020
//Meany Studio Theater, UW, Seattle, WA
Performance
2024
POEM, choreography by Tere O’ Connor
//Dance at Illinois Studio Dance 2024, KCPA Studio Theatre, Urbana, IL
2023
S45 project with Merce Cunningham’s iconic 1956 work, Suites for Five, choreography by Paige Cunningham-Caldarella
//Directed by Paige Cunningham-Caldarella, SITELESS, Chicago, IL
2023
Steps in the Street (from the Chronicle), choreography by Martha Graham
Restaged by Miki Orihara & Elizabeth Auclair
//Dance at Illinois October Dance 2023, Tryron Festival Theatre, KCPA, Urbana-Champaign, IL
2023
Can’t Stop What’s Coming, choreography by Paige Cunningham-Caldarella
//Dance at Illinois Downtown 2023, Virginia Theatre, Urbana, IL
2022
Soundwave Surfing, choreography by John M. Toenjes
//Dance at Illinois February Dance 2022, Tryon Festival Theatre, KCPA, Urbana-Champaign, IL
2021
Love, choreographed by Donald Byrd. Restaged by Vincent Micheal Lopez
//Dance at Illinois November Dance 2021, Colwell Playhouse, KCPA Urbana-Champaign, IL
2020
#Take 1, choreography by Sojung E. Lim
//limchumdance “Breathing Action” Independent Art-Making Project, Incheon Grand Park, Incheon South Korea
2020
Passing Four Thirds, virtual performance by Sojung E. Lim. Directed by Zakkir Rahman
12 Seconds Max, Base: Experimental Arts +Space, Seattle, WA
2020
All You’re Ever Left With is A Memory, choreography by Michelle Ascencio
//Dance Majors Concert, Meany Studio Theatre, UW, Seattle, WA
2020
Our Paper Shadow, choreography by Rachael Lincoln
//UW Dance Presents, Meany Studio Theatre, UW, Seattle, WA
2020
Anarchy in Flight, choreography by Alethea Alexander
//UW Dance Presents, Meany Studio Theatre, UW, Seattle, WA
2020
Into the Ether, choreography by Laura Peterson
//eXit Space Faculty Dance Concert, Erikson Theatre, Seattle, WA
2019
Residency Cunningham Centennial Celebration Community Performance: Douglas Dunn&Holley Farmer
//Exploring the Creative Legacy of Merce Cunningham, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, WA
2019
The Unavoidable Tactility, choreography by Brian J. Evans
//MFA Dance Concert, Meany Studio Theatre, UW, Seattle, WA
2019
markovian in nature..., choreography by Jo Blake
//“NiNe Lives”, Base: Experimental Arts +Space, Seattle, WA
2018
The Silo 3 Project, “Promise of Green,” choreography by Laura Peterson
//Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle, WA
2018
“Korea”, 20th Annual New Year Celebration
// Produced by Asia Pacific Cultural Center, K-pop Dance at Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
2016 - 2018
Student Choreographer and Rehearsal Monitor
//Bellevue College Dance Company, Bellevue, WA
2015
“Migra”, Kamchatka Theatre Company, Seoul, South Korea
// Directed by Adrian Schvarzstein (Company based in Spain)
2013
MWAM Danse Company, Seoul, South Korea
// Artistic Director, Junhee Park
2010 - 2012
Gyeonggi Art High School Acting Major Concerts, Bucheon, South Korea
// Performer in Musicals, Plays and Films
Teaching Experiences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
(2021-2024)
Present
Adjunct Lecturer in Dance at UIUC Dance Department Fall 2024
Techniques: Advance Ballet and Beginning Ballet
Theory: Intro to Contemporary Dance
Production: Directing Fall Student Works Concert 2024
Previous Teaching Experiences and Course Descriptions at UIUC (Fall 2021- Spring 2024)
LECTURE/PRODUCTION ADVISING
Dance BFA Senior Thesis Project/Production (co-teaching with Rachel Rizzuto)
This course focuses on the design, execution, and production of a culminating choreographic/performance project. This class is an opportunity for senior BFA candidates in dance to receive support during the school year. Currently I am an Assistant Concert Director for BFA Dance Senior Thesis Concert 2023-2024.
Introduction to Contemporary Dance both in Class and Online: Global Perspective (For Undergraduate)
I teach the exploration of dance history, delving into its historical, theoretical, and experiential facets—a medium that holds a sacred place in our global society. As a facilitator, I help students envision a world where dance becomes a language of the soul, weaving tales of past and present, transcending borders and cultures. I impart the wisdom to comprehend dance as a living history that breathes life into the contemporary world
PHYSICAL PRACTICES
Contemporary Modern Technique (for Dance Majors and Non-Dance Majors)
I teach students in exploring concepts and principles involving weight transfer, physical and visual connection, shaping, use of gravity, breath work, etc., incorporating Laban/Bartenieff principles. They also participate in Giving and Taking exercises, examining how the body relates to the floor in terms of proximity and distality, with an emphasis on weight interaction and initiation. The class integrates diverse imagery dynamics techniques, musicality, and directional possibilities from postmodern practices and contemporary trends to introduce challenges and broaden familiarity.Contemporary Ballet Technique for Dance Majors (for Dance Majors)
I teach a Contemporary Ballet course tailored for Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced -level students. In my class, students refine their skills and demonstrate precise execution and control of movement sequences. They are challenged with weight relationship, musical/rhythmical phrases, and complex spatial possibilities to expand their familiarity of Ballet. Throughout the course, I guide them in viewing, discussing, writing, and moving to delve into the history of classical ballet and its contemporary trends.
Improvisation as Composition: Dance Storytelling/Narrative (for Dance Majors and Non-Dance Majors)
I lead students in exploring dance improvisation, integrating it as a movement practice, performance technique, and a tool for choreography. The focus is on investigating the physical skills and philosophical concepts underlying improvisation. I incorporate various sources and materials from texts, film, songs, and music. Together, we observe, discuss, write, and move to craft our unique body narratives.
Social Dances: Salsa ON2- Modern Mambo Fundamental (Footwork) and Partnering (for all levels)
I guide a course introducing Social Dances, focusing on teaching Salsa ON 2. I follow the widely accepted method of dancing on 2, which uses the standard 123-567 salsa timing. The break step happens on beats 2 and 6, known as "Eddie Torres 2" (ET2). Salsa on 2, also called mambo, connects to an earlier Latin dance style, both involving dancing on the 2nd beat. The course also covers other Latin dance styles like Bachata, Cumbia, etc. Throughout the class, students watch, discuss, write, and move to learn about salsa music and structure. They explore partnering, shine (solo), and improvisational choreography. Active engagement is encouraged in class, where everyone partners with everyone else, providing opportunities for self-discovery and learning.
Partnering (for Dance Majors and Non-Dance Majors)
I emphasize the integration of breathing, reading, listening, hearing, and responding in my partnering class. In this class, students, as a collective ensemble of bodies, delve into the principles that govern the movement of two or more bodies in space and in relation to each other. These principles encompass aspects such as weight transfer, physical and visual connection, shaping, use of gravity, breath work, initiations of movement, direction, musicality, and more. The journey into these concepts unfurls with Authentic Movement and Contact Improvisation.
Teaching Dance in Community
2023-2024
Social Dances: Salsa on 2, NY style Fundamental and Partnering Technique
Urbana Dance Company, Urbana, IL
2020-2021
Dance Narrative Workshop for Professional Artists
//Movement Improvisation Collaboration with Poets, Writers, Actors, Singers, and Painters, Seoul, South Korea
Project& Research
Based Experiences
2022 - present
Dancing with C-U Stars, I-Hotel, Champaign, IL
//Fundraiser event to benefit Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club
1st Ranked in 2022
5th Ranked in 2023
2024
Faculty Presenter of OhioDance Festival and Conference
//The National Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Foundation, and The Ohio State University Department of Dance. Columbus, OH
2022
Alfonso Cervera’s Research Project, TO TO U’UY , Champaign, IL
2010 - 2012
Talent Donation Performance, Bucheon, South Korea
// Sejong Hospital for Patients, Musical Theatre Performance
Awards and Honours
2024
Martha Graham Summer Intensive Alumni Scholarship 2024
//Alumni Scholarship from Elizabeth Auclair
2024
Patricia Knowles Graduate Travel Award 2024
//UIUC Dance Department, Urbana-Champaign, IL
2024
Wanda M. Nettl-Fiol Prize for Student Choreography – Chronic Translation (2024)
//UIUC Dance Department, Urbana-Champaign, IL
2023
The College of Fine and Applied Arts Graduate Student Spotlight: Sojung Lim
//Featured UIUC Grad Student Appreciation Week 2023
2022-2023
The Excellent Teacher Award
//Fall 2022 Dance 116/316/516 Improvisation as Composition: Dance Storytelling/Narrative
Spring 2023 Dance 116/315/516: Contemporary Ballet & Social Dances: Salsa on 2
Fall 2023 Dance 116/316/516: Contemporary Modern & Partnering
2023
American College Dance Association 2023, Ohio University, School of Dance, OH
//Presented Two Chairs
2019 - 2020
Dance Student Association Scholarship by UW Dance Department, Seattle, WA
2016 - 2018
Certificate of Excellence International Student in Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA
// Scholarship based on Academic Excellence, GPA 3.98
2014
Certificate of the Practical Dance Instructor (실용 무용 강사 자격증), Seoul, South Korea
// Korea Coaching Development Centre
2010
Gyeonggi-do Youth Theatre, Bucheon, South Korea
// Korea National Theatre Association/ Art Student Jury Panel
Theatre Production Experiences
2019
Dance Majors Concert, Meany Studio Theatre, UW, Seattle, WA
// Backstage Crew
2010 - 2013
Gyeonggi Art High School Acting Major Performances, Bucheon, South Korea
// Backstage Crew, Stage Makeup Crew
Additional Training
2024
Martha Graham Intensive 2024
//Graham II, Martha Graham School, New York, NY
2023
Graham Technique
//by Miki Orihara & Elizabeth Auclair, Dance at Illinois. Urbana, IL
2020-present
Seoul Tanz Station, Seoul, South Korea
// by Jeongwon Lee, Hyunjun Lim, and Jaewon Oh
2023
Counterbalance and Floor Techniques, Tanzhaus, Zurich, Switzerland
2022 -2023
Assisting Alfonso Cervera “Poc-Chuc Technique”
//Dance at Illinois. Urbana, IL
2021
Traditional Contemporary African Dance from Benin, Open Flight Studio, Seattle, WA
// by Etienne Cakpo
2021
Cunningham Technique, Dance at Illinois, Urbana, IL
// by Slias Riener
2021
Modern Technique, Dance at Illinois, Urbana, IL
// by Donald Byrd and Vincent Michael Lopez
2021
Pilliadanco, Dance at Illinois, Urbana, IL
// by The Philadelphia Dance Company
2020
Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, Seoul Art Center, South Korea
// by Rehearsal Director, Yongjun Ahn
2020
Grupo Corpo, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Dayanne Amaral, Filipe Bruschi, and Janaina Castro
2020
Dance Undercurrent, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Hilary Grumman
2020
Ishan Rustem, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Ishan Rustem
2020
Pilobolus, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Krystal Butler and Nathaniel Buchsbaum
2019
Cunningham Technique, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Douglas Dunn and Holley Farmer
2019
MOMIX, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Anthony Bocconi
2018
Mark Morris Dance Group, UW Meany Hall, Seattle WA
// by Lauren Grant
2018
Limón Dance Technique, UW Meany Hall, Seattle, WA
// by Brenna Monroe-Cook
2016 - 2017
Chop Shop, Stop Gap Studio Theatre, Bellevue, WA
// by Eva Stone
Special Skills
Fluent in Korean and English
Social Dancing: Salsa, Bachata and Cha-Cha
Ballroom Dancing : Rumba, Cha-Cha and Tango
Contact Improvisation
Partnering
K-pop Dance
Voice (Mezzo Soprano)
References
Roxane D’Orléans Juste
Associate Professor of Dance
Bessie-Award
Department of Dance
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
roxaned2@illinois.edu
271.333.1010
Tere O’Connor
1998, 1999, 2003 Bessie-Awards
1993 Guggenheim Fellow
2009 United States Artist Rockefeller Fellow
2013 Doris Duke Artist
Professor of Dance
Department of Dance
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
toconnor@illinois.edu
271.333.1010
Paige Cunningham-Caldarella
Associate Professor of Dance
BFA Committee
Department of Dance
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
pcunnin2@illinois.edu
271.333.1010
Jan Erkert
1992 National Endowment for the Arts Fellow
Ruth Page Award
Author of Harnessing the Wind: The Art of Teaching Modern Dance (2003)
Fulbright Scholar Award
Emerita, Professor of Dance
Department of Dance
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
erkert@illinois.edu
217.974.9827
Betsy Brandt
Teaching Associate Professor of Dance
MFA Committee
Department of Dance
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
eabrandt@illinois.edu
217.333.1010
Alfonso Cervera
Assistant Professor of Dance
Department of Dance
The Ohio State University
cervera.4@osu.edu
614.292.7977