Biography
Yeonji Hong
Dance Artist / Choreographer
A Celebrated Korean Traditional Dance Artist and Transmitter of Cultural Heritage, Bridging Tradition with Contemporary Expression.
Yeonji Hong is an award-winning Korean traditional dance artist and former member of the National Dance Company of Korea. Holding a PhD in Dance from Sejong University in Seoul, she has performed extensively across South Korea and internationally through cultural exchanges in Japan, China, and Oman.
Her creative voice is deeply rooted in traditional forms such as Taepyeongmu, Samgomu, and the Fan Dance, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens to explore identity, resilience, and artistic fusion. In 2024, Dr. Hong was formally recognized as a transmitter of Pyongyang Geommu (Sword Dance of Pyongyang), designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of South Pyongan Province. This recognition affirms her role in preserving and transmitting one of Korea’s most iconic traditional dances.
She continues to create innovative works that bring depth and beauty to Korean dance aesthetics. Since relocating to Canada in 2018, she has presented performances at venues such as Parliament Hill, Ottawa City Hall, Carleton Place, and the City of Brockville. Most recently, she premiered Lotus Pond, a self-choreographed solo inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies, at Toronto’s Betty Oliphant Theatre (2025). Through teaching, performing, and choreographing, Dr. Hong continues to share Korean cultural heritage while building bridges across cultures and generations.
EDUCATION
| PhD | Sejong University Graduate School, Dance | Aug. 2017 |
| MA | Sejong University Performing Arts Graduate School, Dance | Feb. 2014 |
| BA | Sejong University, Dance | Feb. 2011 |
HONORS AND AWARDS
Recognized Transmitter of Pyongyang Geommu 2024
Intangible Cultural Heritage of South Pyongan Province
Best Choreography 2024
8th Annual Woori Chum Competition
Korea Dance Association
Leading Role – Presidential Award 2012
22nd Annual Korea Dance Festival
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
First Prize – Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award 2010
28th Annual National College Dance Competition
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
SELECTED CHOREOGRAPHY AND PERFORMANCE
* Dr. Hong’s own creations are marked in blue.
Lotus Pond 2025
Choreography and performance, Betty Oliphant Theatre, Toronto
“DANCE made in Canada Festival 2025”, inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies
Buchaechum 2024
Choreography and performance, Sir John A. Macdonald Building, Ottawa
“Korean Heritage Month Celebration”, with support from the Seed Award
Sword dance 2024
Choreography and performance, “Asian Heritage Month Showcase” at Parliament
RE:AWAKEN 2023
Choreography and performance, Arts Court Theatre, Ottawa
with support from the Ottawa Professional Artist Creation and Production Fund
Fan Dance Performance and Lecture 2021
“Celebrating Asian Dance” for Asian Heritage Month in Ottawa
Taepyeongmu Performance 2019
Korea Day in Carleton, Carleton Town Hall, Carleton Place, Ontario
Salpuri / Taepyeong Seongdae 2019
Choreography and performance, Veteran’s Weekend on the Hill-66th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, Parliament of Canada
Samgomu Performance 2019
Brockville Multicultural Festival, City of Brockville
Fan Dance Performance 2018
MIKTA Photo Exhibition, Ottawa City Hall
Amisan II- Family Musical 2017
Choreography, Dangjin Culture an Art Center, South Korea
Sword Dance 2017
Choreography and performance. National Folk Museum, South Korea
Arirang 2017
Choreography and performance, Oman Embassy Invitational Concert,
American British Academy, South Korea
Amisan- Family Musical 2016
Choreography. Dangjin Culture an Art Center, South Korea
Salsari Flower 2016
Choreography. Next Generation Choreographer Festival, South Korea
Hyangbalmu 2015
Choreography and performance. Unified Korea Music Festival, National Theatre, South Korea
Choreographed a group performance of 12 dancers using hyangbal, two small cymbals worn on each hand.
Yeonji 2015
Choreography and performance. Chungbuk Training Center, South Korea
Chungbuk Invitational Concert performed by Y:eon Dance Company
Dreams 2014
Choreography and performance, “Dreaming of 21st Century Legends Festival”, Korea Choreography Center, South Korea
FAN DANCE Performance 2014
Korea -ASEAN Commemorative Summit Celebration Performance, BEXCO, Busan, South Korea
KISS THE CHUNHYANG Performance 2013
China & Sejong University MOU special performance, Guangzhou, China
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dance Instructor 2019-Present
Korean Cultural Centre, Ottawa
Organized and taught classes ranging from beginner to intermediate levels in Korean dance.
Forms include traditional dance such as Taepyeongmu, Samgomu, Fan Dance, Jangguchum, etc.
Dance Instructor 2024-2017
Various Universities and ARTE, South Korea
Organized and taught traditional Korean dance classes as adjunct faculty for the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service, Chungcheong University, Konkuk University, and Korea National University of Transportation.
Company Dancer 2012
Ulsan City Dance Company, South Korea
Performed in several newly choreographed pieces for the company.
Company Dancer 2011
National Dance Company, South Korea
Along with the traditional Korean dance repertoire such as the fan dance and jangguchum, performed in newly choreographed pieces on the national stage.