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."
Next Lives Here
At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don’t wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what’s Next. To us, today’s possibilities spark tomorrow’s reality. That’s why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.
We're about engaging people and ideas - and transforming the world.
We are UC. Welcome to what's Next.
Featured image at top: Hee Ra Yoo. Photo/provided
Related Stories
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.
What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?
January 5, 2026
Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.