Video Sounds of Korea: Traditional Music & Dance from New York

Performance art by Sounds of Korea.

Speaker Biography: Sounds of Korea is part of the New-York-based Korean Performing Arts Center (KPAC), consisting of a dance troupe, an instrumental chamber ensemble and a percussion ensemble. Korean performance art includes a wide range of styles and settings, such as classical court music, theatrical masked dance, popular storytelling songs, drama, popular narrative vocal arts, and solo instrumental folk genres, as well as the percussion music and dances of farmers. The group's artistic emphasis is on the subtle grace and beauty found in Korean traditional dances in which the dancers with powerful, yet delicate, gestures and movements reveal a unique aesthetic beauty. The dance troupe was founded and developed by Sue Yeon Park at the organization's inception in 1993, and has maintained an active performance schedule over the past 20 years. Under Park's direction, the organization has performed and hosted performances at major concert venues in the U.S., including Lincoln Center, national museums and national festival stages, introducing Korean music and dance to a wide array of audiences of diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition, Sounds of Korea performance troupe participates in community outreach programs, as well as cultural exhibitions. Its members consist of professionals of the highest caliber and individuals from the Korean community who are dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of Korea's artistic heritage and history. Musicians include Songhee Lee, Miji Park, Rebecca Hyun A Lee, Erica Seonjoo Lee, Jee Yun Hong, Nakyung Shin, Minjung Choe, Yuny Park, Jung-Hee Oh, Min Ji Park, Taehyung Kim, Sungwan Jeon and Sue Yeon Park. Dancers are Songhee Lee, Hae-Sun Jung, Rebecca Hyun A Lee, Erica Seonjoo Lee, Jee Yun Hong, Nakyung Shin and Sue Yeon Park.

For transcript, captions, and more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6555