RESIDENCY- 92Y Harkness Dance Center (NYC) 2018-2019
Hee Ra Yoo has been selected for the 2018/2019 Artists in Residence at the 92 Y Harkness Dance Center! Yoo and Dancers will be continuing creation for our new work at the Y and will be engaging in outreach, studio showings, and performances throughout the year!
Hee Ra Yoo
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Artistic Statement
I have danced, performed, choreographed, and coached in Korea, Australia, Russia and the US in disciplines ranging from ballet and modern dance to Korean traditional dance to gymnastics Olympic teams.
My choreographic style and choice matter comes from this range of experiences.
From ancient Korean Royal Court dances to 21st century Gaga movement, many dances have influenced my choreographic and teaching styles. Korean dance attempts to portray a timeless calm as the body moves with great weight. Gymnastics and ballet, by contrast, focuses on energy and weightlessness. I use old concepts in new ideas to create contrast. I aim to find an essence of the culture from its mythology or traditional movements which play off each other.
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Her own company has a focus on the modern genre... After seeing a well-made contemporary ballet like this, it’s exciting to know that as a modern choreographer.... Yoo has successfully transferred her sensibility of movement to the pointe-clad dancer...It leads me to take her for her word that Yoo and Dancers is without borders.
- Leigh Schanfein, Dance Informa, January 30, 2013