CCM welcomes new dance faculty member Hee Ra Yoo
Yoo begins her new appointment as Assistant Professor of Dance on Aug. 15
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Hee Ra Yoo as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Dance. Her faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2025.
New CCM faculty member Hee Ra Yoo. Photo/provided
An international dance teacher and choreographer, Yoo founded the New York contemporary dance company Yoo and Dancers in 2009 after completing the MFA program at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Before moving to New York City in 2007, Yoo danced with the Korean National Ballet, the California Ballet, the San Diego City Ballet and the Canberra Dance Theatre in Australia.
Yoo has taught dance at Tulane University, Georgian Court University, SUNY Brockport New York, University of Hawaii and in New York City at Steps on Broadway, the Joffrey Ballet School, Gibney Dance Center (DNA) and Peridance. Before moving to the U.S. in 2000, she coached the Australian and Korean Olympic Gymnastics Teams.
Specializing in ballet and modern dance pedagogy, Yoo has incorporated large elastic TheraBand into her dance classes to help students understand their muscles and balance. Her research seeks to incorporate new somatic techniques in order to improve dance pedagogy for all levels of students.
"Hee Ra Yoo is an accomplished performer, educator, choreographer and researcher who brings a wealth of experience and perspective to CCM's outstanding Dance Department," said Jutras. "I would like to extend my thanks to our search committee, which was chaired by Shauna Steele and included committee members Aik Khai Pung, Deborah Neiheisel-DeZarn, Elizabeth Payne and Jonnie Lynn Jacobs-Percer."
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Featured image at top: Hee Ra Yoo. Photo/provided
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