Songhee Lee-Chung

Traditional Korean Dance

Songhee Lee-Chung, is a dancer specializing in traditional Korean dance. Upon graduating from University of Pusan, Korea, she joined the Pusan Metropolitan Dance Company and became a principal dancer. In 1997, Songhee had her first solo recital “Karma” in NYC at the Hudson Guild Theater. Since then, she has been actively performing around the world and US, at such venues as Flushing Town Hall, Greek National Dance Theater, CID UNESCO World Congress on Dance, NEA Montana Folk Festival and International Festival at Chihuahua, Mexico. She was also appointed as a member Artist teacher for K-12 public school for “Spotlight Korea” at The Korean Cultural Center New York from 2014. Currently, Song Hee is Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Songhee Lee Dance Company which includes the children's dance initiative, Cheongsah Chorong; she is also an instructor at Lotus Music and Dance school and performance member of KTPAA "Sound of Korea".

BOOK AN ASSEMBLY BOOK A WORKSHOP BOOK A RESIDENCY

Traditional Korean Dance & Music Live Virtual Assembly,

FTH teaching artist and Korean master dancer Songhee Lee and musician Hee Jung Han present traditional Korean dance and music with explanations about Korean history, geography, traditional costumes, and dance props from Korea’s regional areas. Students will be exposed to a variety of Korean traditional folk dances including 부채춤 Buchaechum (fan dance), 소고춤 Sogochum (hand-drum dance), 탈춤 Talchum (mask dance), as well as a beloved ballad song “Over the Rainbow” and a Korean folk song 적념 Jeok-Yeom played by Hae-Geum (traditional Korean string instrument). This virtual assembly includes a screening of pre-recorded performance footage and a live interactive Q&A.

Traditional Korean Dance In-Person Assembly,

Traditional Korean dances incorporate some sort of storyline representing Korean life in the early years. For example, Jindo Buk Chum (drum dance) has roots in the nong-ak dance, which was traditionally performed in rice farming villages in order to ensure and to celebrate a good harvest. This assembly, presented by master dancer Songhee Lee, introduces different traditional Korean dances, as well as related vocabulary and folk terms. Students are encouraged to interact with the artist by dancing with Buchae (fans), Sogo (hand-drums), and Janggo (hour-glass drums).

Traditional Korean Dance Workshop In-Person Workshop, Live Virtual Workshop,

In this workshop, students will be exposed to the various traditional folk dances of Korea such as Buchaechum (fan dance) which combines the grace of the music and the shifting of geometric designs with the fans, Janggo (hour-glass drum dance) where dancers play a double-headed drum in the shape of an hour-glass that is strapped to their body while they dance and spin, Sogo Chum (small hand-drum dance) where the dancers move with a small drum in one hand and a stick in the other, and the Jindo Buk Chum (drum dance) a dynamic dance traditionally performed to ensure and celebrate a good harvest. Students are encouraged to demonstrate what they have learned through a simple dance recital at the end of the workshop.

Traditional Korean Dance Residency Residency (In-person & Virtual),

In this residency, Flushing Town Hall master teaching artist Songhee Lee will instruct students in traditional Korean dance forms. Students will explore Sogo Chum (small hand drum) a Korean folk dance traditionally performed by farmers to bring good luck at the harvest. Students can further learn the classic Hansam (long sleeves) mask dance and help choreograph a creative dance based on the traditional form. The residency culminates with a student performance at the end.