환영합니다.

Woorigarak Korean Cultural Arts Center was established in 1998. Director, Eunjoo Kang, has been making an effort to preserve the culture and custom of traditional Korean dance and music.

korean cultural arts center.

Director | Eunjoo Kang

Since an early age Eunjoo Kang has studied dance and has continued to pursue her education. In 1989, she enrolled in Sookmyung Women University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and continued her education by studying traditional and folk Korean dance under Mubong Hwang from 1982-1984. From 1985 to 1993, she learned The Dance of the Buddhist Nun (Sung Moo), Salpuri, Taepyungmoo, and other traditional Korean dances under the mentorship of Human Living Treasure (HLT), Jaeman Chung.

In an effort to develop a new perspective and form her own theory of traditional Korean dance, Ms. Kang attended New York University to earn a Master’s degree in Dance Higher Education in 1995. Her studies at NYU focused on Eric Hawkins Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance as well as the Laban’s Effort Shape Theory and Movements.

Ms. Kang is currently serving as the artistic director of Woorigarak Korean Cultural Art Center, in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Some of Ms. Kang’s recent accolades include: the 2018 Choreography Prize in Dance Award from the Asian Traditional Performing Arts Competition, the 2016 Grand Prize in The 7th Dongbu Folk Art Competition at Kyungju City, Kyungsangbuk-do, South Korea, the 2015 Grand Prize from Traditional Art Society of Korea (TASK) in the 15th World Korean Traditional Music Competition, and under Ms. Kang tutelage her students were awarded the Grand Prize in Asian Traditional Performing Arts Competition 2018 in addition to the Special Award from Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York.

a community driven by our culture.

About Woorigarak Korean Cultural Arts Center

Performance Activities

Woorigarak Korean Cultural Arts Center (WKCAC) is spreading the beauty of Korean Dance throughout various performances in the New York metropolitan area based on the past performance experiences in ten cities of five countries. Introducing Korean traditional dance to Asian related events of colleges, cities, and communities. WKCAC shows good representation of Korean culture to US residents’ and inspires Korean-Americans.

Teaching Activities
WKCAC offers a diverse range of classes to the next generations of Korean-Americans. Our mission is to instill pride and confidence within the younger generation to further cultivate their identity as a Korean-American. The traditional dance classes are Korean dance basics, Fan Dance, Seol Jangu, Samgomu, Mask Dance, etc. WKCAC increases familiarity of Korean culture to the US youth by providing after-school programs and Korean culture workshops to nearby primary and secondary schools and colleges.

Support silver generation

WKCAC has opened its doors to allow silver generation to learn Korean dance at low cost. Throughout the courses, silver generation have the opportunity to have fun while getting exercising. Dance has the amazing ability to help relieve the stresses of daily life. Various diseases caused by the lack of modern movement. WKCAC encourages them active movement of the body, and continues to contribute to the improved health index of silver generation.

_______________________________________________

공연활동:

4개국 10개 도시에서 활발한 공연의 경험으로 미국 사회 내에서 뉴욕일원을 중심으로 한 각종 공연을 통해 한국무용의 아름다움을 널리 알리고 있다. 대학교, 도시, 한인회 등의 단체가 주관하는 아시안 문화 관련 행사에서 한국무용을 선보임으로써 미국 사회 내에서 품격 있는 한국 문화에 대한 긍정적인 이미지를 전달, 한인동포들에게는 자긍심을 고취시키고 있다. 독무 뿐 아니라 단장으로 이끌고 있는 우리가락무용단(“무용단”)의 군무도 직접 안무하여 무대에 올리는 창작활동 또한 활발하다.

한국무용 전수:

타국에서 성장하는 한인 후세들의 정체성 함양과 모국 문화에 대한 긍지를 심어주기 위해 우리가락한국문화예술원(“예술원”)을 개설했다. 한국무용의 기본, 부채춤, 설장구, 삼고무, 탈춤 등의 교육 프로그램으로 한국무용의 전수에도 힘쓰고 있다. 또한 인근 초중고교나 대학교의 요청에 의해 한국문화/한국무용에 관한 에스터스쿨 프로그램이나 워크샵 문화강의를 진행하여 미국인들에게 한국문화에 대한 친근함을 점차적으로 높여가고 있다.

실버계층 지원:

커뮤니티센터나 예술원에서 무료나 저렴한 비용으로도 한국무용을 배울 수 있도록 그 문을 개방했다. 현대인들의 운동부족으로 인한 각종질병을 예방하게 하고, 실버계층을 대상으로 한국무용 시간을 이용하여 신체의 활발한 움직임을 장려, 커뮤니티 노년 층의 건강지수 향상에 지속적으로 이바지하고 있다.