Dance encompasses more than just movement – Artist Support Grantee Jiwon Ha shares how she tells stories by blending traditional Korean folk dance with her training in modern choreography. Raised in South Korea, Ha’s early life was steeped in the disciplined forms of ballet and Korean dance, shaping her love for movement from a young age. Her journey has been one of cross-cultural exploration, receiving her M.Ed., in Dance from Pusan National University and moving between South Korea and Canada before planting roots in Greensboro in 2016. Today, as both a performer and dance educator at Elon University, Ha has embraced the rich dance community of Greensboro.
While trained in the structure and precision of ballet and Korean dance, Ha loves the freedom of movement and expression in contemporary dance. “In South Korea, there are two main genres of traditional dance that you see”, explains Ha. “Royal dance is very formal, typically performed on stage, while folk dance, which is closer to the streets and the people, has always fascinated me.” It is this connection to folk dance that drives her creative work today, bringing together modern dance and her Korean cultural history.
Ha’s passion isn’t limited to the stage. As a teacher, she continuously reflects on how she can best serve her students, asking herself what they need to grow both artistically and physically. Her goal is to contribute to the ever-growing dance community in Greater Greensboro—whether through teaching or performance. “There are so many dancers in our community,” says Ha. “It’s not just about having places to dance; I want to make sure there are spaces that build a fuller, richer dance culture.”
As a 2023-24 Artist Support Grantee, Ha received funding to support her vision. The grant helped fund her most recent showcase piece, “Roots,” which she debuted in June 2023 and explores the intricate connections between Korean dance forms and contemporary modern dance movements. This grant allowed her to pay additional dancers and invest in traditional Seungmu (승무) costuming, as well as a Korean drum and a chae sangmo (채상모), which is a hat with a long ribbon attached where, using flicks of the head, dancers move the ribbon around in time to the music.
“I am so appreciative of The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro” Ha shares. “Without this grant, I would have showcased the dance last year and moved on. This grant served as a crucial foundation for “Roots” and allowed me to scale up.”
Jiwon Ha
Mark your calendars! Jiwon Ha will be performing “Roots” at Greensboro Project Space on October 4, 2024 at 7:30 pm. Check The ACGG’s events calendar for tickets and more information to come. To learn more about Jiwon Ha and her work, you can visit her Instagram at @jiwondanse.
The Artist Support Grant, funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, is open for 2024-25 applications from August 19, 2024 - September 26, 2024. For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit https://theacgg.org/artist-support-grant/.
For any additional questions, contact Jaymie Meyer, Artist Services & Impact Officer, at jmeyer@theacgg.org.
Apply for the Artist Support Grant