Research Statement

My creative research falls into two categories, original choreographic works, and staging of the classical repertoire. For me, each research opportunity has a different purpose. Some projects focus more on educational or historical value, and others offer more freedom for creative research exploration. The gap between the two categories of my innovative research is bridged synergistically; by drawing from the historical and evolving to create a new or vice versa, one side benefits the other. To me, contemporary ballet is not so much a revolutionary process as an evolutionary process. It allows the audience to relate to modern ideas and themes and not be isolated by the historical. It’s not about rejecting the historical but rather borrowing from history to merge with current trends. When I create a new work, I draw from this knowledge. Examples of this in my creative research are Reciprocity, where my contemporary choreography is fused with traditional Korean dance and classical ballet or in my original Cinderella production, where I created the synopsis to take place in Paris, France, in the late 19th century, rooted it in the origins of traditional classical ballet, fused it within the current culture of a professional ballet company, and delivered it to our audience with sets and costumes designed in an industrial steam-punk fashion.

Research Keywords

  • Choreography, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Dance, Musical Theater, Opera, Photography,AI, Game

Creative Research

  • UTAH BALLET - School of Dance, Ballet Program, University of Utah - Presented 65 dancers in my staging of Swan Lake Act III in the Gala performances at the Hayes Christensen Theatre, Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah. Choreography, completed 04/01/2017.
  • YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX - Salt Lake City, Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Metamorphosis at the Rose Wagner Theatre by a Salt Lake City Ballet pre-professional student who attained a Traineeship at Colorado Ballet in the regional competition semi-finals. Choreography, completed 02/24/2017.
  • YOUTH AMERICAN GRAND PRIX - Dallas, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Remembrance at the regional competition semi-finals by Ballet Frontier of Texas at the Irving Arts Center. Choreography, completed 01/28/2017.
  • UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY - Orem, Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Reciprocity in a 2 week residency where it was awarded Finalist in the Utah Regional Ballets Choreography Design Competition Choreography, completed 01/27/2017.
  • BALLET FRONTIER OF TEXAS - Fort Worth, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Remembrance at the Youth Dance Festival in the W.E. Scott Theatre. Choreography, completed 01/21/2017.
  • KWANG-JU CITY BALLET - Kwang-Ju, South Korea - Set my original choreographic work Remembrance into the repertoire of the government funded professional ballet company . Choreography, completed 11/27/2016.
  • UTAH BALLET - School of Dance, Ballet Program, University of Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Reciprocity on 6 dancers in the Hayes Christensen Theatre at the Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah Choreography, completed 10/22/2016.
  • BALLET FRONTIER OF TEXAS - Fort Worth, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Remembrance in the Director's Choice performances at the W.E. Scott Theatre Choreography, completed 09/10/2016.
  • L2D - Kaysville, Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Remembrance by youth students in performance and competition showcases at Layton High School Choreography, completed 05/12/2016.
  • YOUTH AMERICAN GRAND PRIX - Salt Lake City, Utah - Presented my staging of the Giselle Act II Mens Variation at the Capitol Theatre, performed by Tyler Piwowarczyk who placed Top 12 in the competition semi-finals Choreography, completed 02/26/2016.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet at the University of Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Remembrance on 13 dancers in the Hayes Christensen Theatre at the Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah Choreography, completed 02/05/2016.
  • YOUTH AMERICAN GRAND PRIX - Irving, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Enraptured by Ballet Frontier at the competition regional semi-finals Choreography, completed 01/30/2016.
  • BALLET FRONTIER OF TEXAS - Dallas, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Enraptured at the Texas Ballet Theater School performance held at the Latino Cultural Center Choreography, completed 01/23/2016.
  • BALLET FRONTIER OF TEXAS - Fort Worth, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Enraptured at the Youth Dance Festival at the W.E. Scott Theatre Choreography, completed 01/16/2016.
  • BALLET FRONTIER OF TEXAS - Fort Worth, Texas - Presented my original choreographic work Enraptured in the Straight to the Heart performance at the W.E. Scott Theatre Choreography, completed 08/22/2015.
  • UTAH LYRIC OPERA ENSEMBLE - College of Fine Arts, University of Utah - Presented my original choreographic work of the Cinderella pas de deux with Cinderella and the Prince and choreography on the 2 lead singers and 11 Opera members that was featured in the production of Cendrillon, a Cinderella opera sung in French, with the collaboration of 3 departments in the College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, with the Utah Philharmonia at Kingsbury Hall. Choreography, completed 04/25/2015.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet, University of Utah - Presented my original classical choreographic work of the 90-minute full-length two-act fairy-tale Cinderella ballet and set it in a ballet company in 19th century Paris, France with a conservative retro Steam Punk style set on 60 dancers with the collaboration of 160 students and faculty artists from 4 departments of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah that included the Utah Philharmonia Orchestra of the School of Music, backdrops from the Murals class of the Art & Art History, videography of the Film & Media Arts, and originally designed and created Steam Punk styled costumes from the Marriott Center for Dance Costume Shop. Performances were presented at Kingsbury Hall with support of a $20,000 Nancy Peery Marriott Endowment to a record attendance for a ballet performance of over 2400 audience members. Choreography, completed 04/04/2015.
  • INTERNATIONAL SPAIN TOUR - Zaragoza, Spain - Directed 12 Character Dance Ensemble dancers of the Department of Ballet, University of Utah while on a 10-day educational tour to participate in performances and workshops of Spanish Folk Dance and classical ballet master classes. Students also enjoyed the culturally enriching experiences of tours, visited museums, and enjoying the food and people of Spain. Other, completed 05/13/2014.
  • FOLKLORE FESTIVAL DAY OF EUROPE - Zaragoza, Spain - Invited by Xinglar Cultural Association to participate in the Folklore Festival day of Europe with the Centro de Danza of Zaragoza, Spain, directed 12 Character Dance Ensemble dancers of the Department of Ballet in a performance of my original choreographic work Enraptured, Spanish Dance of Swan Lake, and Jota Dance with 18 live musicians of Spain. Choreography, completed 05/10/2014.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet, University of Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Enraptured on 11 dancers at the Hayes Christensen Theatre at the Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah Choreography, completed 11/23/2013.
  • ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of UTAH BALLET - Lead the 26 member company of Utah Ballet for the 2012-2013 academic year, designed the repertoire of sixteen performances to include two full productions: one classical full-length ballet Swan Lake and one contemporary series of Choreographers of the Far East that highlighted three choreographers from Asia, arranged and hosted choreographer and master class guests, designed and created prototypes for all costumes, designed lighting for both productions, designed posters and programs, cast and rehearsed all dancers in all roles, lead four additional Utah Ballet performances held for the department and college, auditioned and formed the company from department dancers, recruited additional men from Ballet West and Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts to perform in roles, collaborated with Character Dance Ensemble to perform in roles, collaborated with the Department of Theatre for makeup artist services in performances. Other, completed 05/30/2013.
  • KOREAN BALLET THEATRE and UTAH BALLET - Seoul, Korea - Presented a production of ' Spring Ballet Festival' an international joint production of Utah Ballet and the Korean Ballet Theatre in classical and contemporary works at the Nowon Cultural Arts Theatre, a 1000-seat auditorium Choreography, completed 05/13/2013.
  • INTERNATIONAL KOREA TOUR - Seoul, Korea - Lead 11 Utah Ballet dancers and 9 Character Dance Ensemble dancers participated in a 10 day international tour where dancers attended a Master Class Workshop Series that included Ballet, Modern, and Korean Folk Dance classes hosted by the leading professors and ballet masters of Korea at the Sejong University and attended joint company classes with the Korean Ballet Theatre. Additionally, students attended a performance of Koreas leading ballet company, the Universal Ballet Company, in a presentation of Shim Chung, ‘The Blindman’s Daughter’, at the National Theatre of Korea. Students also enjoyed the culturally enriching experiences of temple tours, visiting tourist destinations, and enjoying the people and food of the city of Seoul, Korea. Other, completed 05/15/2013.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet, University of Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Binari on 12 dancers at the Hayes Christensen Theatre at the Marriott Center for Dance Choreography, completed 03/28/2013.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet, University of Utah - Presented my contemporary production of Choreographers of the Far East that featured 4 original contemporary works of 3 choreographers all hailing from Asia, including Ma Cong of China’s 'Passion There', Jung-Shik Roh of Korea’s 'Transcendence' and 'The Permeation of Consciousness', and Jay Kim of Korea’s original choreographic creation 'Binari' held in the Marriott Center for Dance Choreography, completed 03/2013.
  • UTAH BALLET - Seoul, Korea - Presented my original choreographic work Binari on 12 dancers held at the Nowon Cultural Arts Theatre, a 1000 seat auditorium. Choreography, completed 05/2013.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet, University of Utah - Staged a production of the full-length 1-hr and 45-minutes classical ballet Swan Lake in the Mariinsky version with the participation of 46 dancers with the collaboration of Utah Ballet dancers, Department of Ballet men, Character Dance Ensemble dancers, and guest dancers from the Ballet West Academy and the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts held at the Hayes Christensen Theatre at the Marriott Center for Dance Choreography, completed 11/15/2012.
  • UTAH BALLET - Department of Ballet, University of Utah- Presented my classical 1-act choreographic work Etudes on 16 dancers in a Ballet Ensemble production in the Hayes Christensen Theatre at the Marriott Center for Dance Choreography, completed 03/03/2012.
  • OAKLAND UNIVERSITY - Rochester, Michigan - Presented my original choreographic work Elegy at the Great Lakes Dance Festival Choreography, completed 07/22/2011.
  • COSTA RICA FESTIVAL - Costa Rica - Presented my staging of Tarantella and the Spanish Dance from Don Quixote on Utah Ballet dancers Choreography, completed 05/30/2011.
  • Don Quixote - Staged Classical Ballet Don Quixote Act II School of Dance, Ballet Program, University of Utah - Presented 20 dancers in my staging of Classical Ballet Don Quixote Act II in performances at the Hayes Christensen Theatre, Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah. Performance completed 10/26/2020. Performance, completed 10/24/2020.
  • GISELLE - Staged Giselle Act II School of Dance, Ballet Program, University of Utah - Presented 60 dancers in my staging of Giselle Act II in performances at the Hayes Christensen Theatre, Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah. Performance, completed 11/09/2019.
  • IBSI GALA - Production Creation and Staging Created, directed, rehearsed, and staged a 90-minute 2-act gala performance production of classical Mariinsky repertoire, contemporary, and character divertissement. Choreography, completed 08/16/2019.
  • IBSI GALA - Incheon, Korea - University of Utah Asia Campus - Presented by 43 dancers from Korea and the United States in the inaugural International Ballet Summer Intensive Gala Performance. Created, directed, rehearsed, and staged a 90-minute 2-act gala performance production of classical Mariinsky repertoire, contemporary, and character divertissement. 1600 audience members attended the performance. Served as Master of Ceremony with Oleg Vinogradov, 23-year Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre. 3 Korean National Government Senators spoke as Key note speakers. Heima dance crew, the Finalists on NBC’s World of Dance season 3 gave a special finale performance. Responsible for wardrobe for the production and brought and prepared all costumes from America. Created and executed all production responsibilities including lighting, rigging, backdrops, and flooring. Created and executed all advertising and marketing to the Korean, campus, and ballet communities. Performance, completed 08/16/2019.
  • SEOUL BALLET THEATRE - Seoul, Korea - Performance of original choreographic work Sentience - Presented as a guest choreographer for the professional company Seoul Ballet Theatre in their Masterpiece Ballet Gala at the Mapo Art Center. Choreography, completed 07/13/2018.
  • LINK CHOREOGRAPHY FESTIVAL - Highland, Utah - Performance of original choreographic work Sentience. Presented as guest choreographer for the national festival showcasing 10 emerging choreographers from across the country, hosted by the professional dance company Salt Contemporary Dance at the Cottonwood Heights Theater. Choreography, completed 05/19/2018.
  • UTAH BALLET - Performance of original choreographic work Sentience at the Hayes Christensen Theatre. Choreography, completed 02/08/2018.
  • YOUTH AMERICAN GRAND PRIX - Dallas, Texas - Performance of original choreographic work Reflections - Ballet Frontier of Texas presented it at the international competition semi-finals at the Irving Arts Center. Choreography, completed 02/03/2018.
  • BALLET FRONTIER OF TEXAS - Fort Worth, Texas - Performance of original choreographic work Reflections at the Director’s Choice performance at the W.E. Scott Theatre. Choreography, completed 01/20/2018.
  • UTAH METROPOLITAN BALLET - Provo, Utah - Performance of original choreographic work Transcendence - Presented as a guest choreographer for the professional company in the Director’s Choice Choreography Design performances at the Covey Center for the Arts. Choreography, completed 01/18/2018.
  • SLC BALLET - Salt Lake City, Utah - Presented my staging of the La Bayadere Act II Excerpts at the Summer Intensive workshop performance. Choreography, completed 08/12/2017.
  • JACQUELINE'S SCHOOL OF BALLET - Provo, Utah - Presented my original choreographic work Etudes at the Summer Showcase performance in the Utah Valley University Ragan Theater. Choreography, completed 07/22/2017.

Presentations

  • Carmen- World Premiere Original Choreography & Production Presented Original Choreography Work with Utah Ballet at Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah 1800 audience members attended the performance of 52 minutes of Creative Story Ballet, Carmen Suite by Schedrin/Bizet, live performance with The Utah Philharmonia (37 members), Conducted by Dr. Robert Baldwin, in Collaboration with Chun-Lin Tseng, Justine Sheedy-Kramer . Presentation, Presented, 04/01/2022.
    https://youtu.be/7orPySvND8M
  • DON QUIXOTE ACT III- Production Staging Don Quixote Act III in the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre version staged a 21-minute classical 1-act production with 30 dancers. Presented with Utah Ballet at Hayes Christensen Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah. Presentation, Presented, 05/14/2020.
    https://youtu.be/TDsGYhT3Ycg
  • GISELLE ACT II- Production Staging Staged a 49-minute classical 1-act production for 34 dancers of Giselle Act II in the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre version. Presented at Hayes Christensen Theatre, Salt Lake, Utah . Presentation, Presented, 11/07/2019.
    https://youtu.be/NCdSEoOYiNo
  • International Ballet Summer Intensive (IBSI) Asia Campus GALA Performance Production Creation, and Staging Created, directed, rehearsed, and staged a 90-minute 2-act gala performance production of classical Mariinsky repertoire, contemporary, and character divertissement. 2500 audience members attended the performance. Served as Master of Ceremony with Oleg Vinogradov, 23-year Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre 3 Korean National Government Senators spoke as Keynote speakers. Heima dance crew, the Finalists on NBC’s World of Dance season 3 gave a special finale performance. Responsible for wardrobe for the production and brought and prepared all costumes from America. Created and executed all production responsibilities including lighting, rigging, backdrops, and flooring. Created and executed all advertising and marketing to the Korean, campus, and ballet communities. Presentation, Presented, 08/16/2019.
    https://youtu.be/7EiEUj8YHwM
  • LINK CHOREOGRAPHY FESTIVAL - Salt Lake City, Utah - Panelist that spoke on ‘What are choreographers looking for and how to be successful in a career in dance.’ and instructed classes in festival. Presentation, Presented, 05/22/2019.
  • BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - Provo, Utah - Spoke as a Panelist at the ‘Behind Ballet: A summit for Ballet Educators’, hosted by the Brigham Young University Department of Dance Ballet Area, on the subject of ‘Ballet in Higher Education’ at the professional development event open to all ballet instructors, dance studio owners, dance directors, and college students in dance education. Presentation, Presented, 01/26/2019.
  • CORPS DE BALLET INTERNATIONAL- "An Experiment in 21st Century Assessment for Ballet: developing effective assessment methods and utilizing an online learning platform for ballet coursework at a Research-I university". Presentation, Presented, 01/11/2017.
  • SEJONG UNIVERSITY- Internationally presented a lecture on 'The New Millennium Approach to Ballet' at Sejong University , Seoul, Korea. Presentation, Presented, 06/2012.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • 'COPPELIA'. PI: Richard Wacko. Co-PI(s): Jong-Hoon (Jay) Kim. Teaching Grant, 08/12/2014 - present. Total project budget to date: $7,000.00
  • 'CINDERELLA'. PI: Jong-Hoon (Jay) Kim. Dee Grant, 04/14/2014 - present. Total project budget to date: $17,200.00

Languages

  • English, fluent.
  • Korean, fluent.

Geographical Regions of Interest

  • Austria
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • Canada
    Worked, performed, and toured twice.
  • France
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • Germany
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • Greece
    Worked, performed, and toured twice.
  • Hungary
    Worked, performed, and toured twice.
  • Italy
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • Japan
    Worked, performed, and toured coast to coast.
  • Republic of Korea
    Worked, performed, toured coast to coast, country of origin.
  • Spain
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • Switzerland
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Worked, performed, and toured.
  • United States of America
    Worked, performed, and toured coast to coast.

Publications

  • DANCE RESEARCH JOURNAL OF KOREA (Published in Korean and translated to English) - January 2016 Analysis of the Kinematic Sequence of the Grand Jeté en Tournant Motion in Ballet Je-Min Kim, Biomechanics Laboratory, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas Jay (Jong-Hoon) Kim, Department of Ballet, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah Kwang-Jin Kim, Department of Dance, Sejong University, Seoul, Korea Cha-Young Suh, Department of Dance, Sejong University, Seoul, Korea The purpose of the study was to identify the kinematic sequence of a particular ballet movement, grand jeté en tournant, by monitoring nineteen skilled female collegiate and high school ballet dancers' bodies in segments through the motions that would indicate peak execution of the step identifying optimum strategies. Movements were captured with a three dimensional analysis motion capture system. I was invited to participate in the study to provide the hypothesis of what incremental movements were required for optimum execution of the grand jeté en tournant step. Predicted in my hypothesis, the study revealed that the collegiate students’ execution of the step was optimum with a higher propelled angular velocity that was derived from the combined movements of the plié, leg elevation, and arms segments. Published, 01/30/2016.