Tae-ji Choi

Background

She was born in Kyoto, Japan and performed as a dancer there from 1968 to 1980.

Career

Her first performance for the of Korea National Ballet was Scheherazade, in 1983, and she performed as guest dancer then She created Ballet with Commentary, an entirely new and popular program, and collaborated on a work with world artists such as Yuri Grigorovich and Jean-Christophe Maillot. Also she has been a strong manager of the company.

As the result of her efforts like above, she was able to create the first star marketing strategy in the Korean dance world while playing a decisive role in development of Korean ballet as one of today"s popular art genres.

The of Korea National Ballet, together with all members and staff is endeavoring to jump into the 21st century under the slogan of "Globalization, Refinement and Popularization of the of Korea National Ballet". 1987–1992: Principal dancer of the of Korea National Ballet

1996 – December 2001: Head and artistic director of the of Korea National Ballet

2000–2001: Principal of the ballet academy affiliated with the of Korea National Ballet

September 2001 – March 2002: Adjunct professor of department of dance, Sungkyunkwan University

June 2004 – December 2007: Director of the Chongdong Theatre

September 2004 – August 2006: Director of Jung-Gu Cultural Foundation

Since January 2008: Artistic director of the of Korea National Ballet.

Achievements

• Best Prima Ballerina by the of Korea Ballet Association (1996) Honorary Award by the of Korea Ballet Association (2002) Award for Culture, Arts and Sports by Jung-gu Office, Seoul Promotion of Culture and Arts Division (2005) Paradise Award by the Committee of Paradise Award (2008) Yechong Artistic & Cultural Award by the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organizations of of Korea (2009) Best Trainer of the 11th Arabesque Competition (2010) Appreciation from the Russian Minister of Culture (2010).

Membership

She became a regular member of the of Korea National Ballet in 1987 and danced as prima ballerina until 1992. She acted as member of the direction committee from 1993 to 1995 and worked as the 3rd head and artistic director of the of Korea National Ballet from 1996 to 2001. 1993–1995: Member of the direction committee of the of Korea National Ballet

May 2005 – October 2006: Member of the Presidential Committee on the Government Innovation & Decentralization

July 2005 – June 2007: Member of the permanent committee of the National Unification Advisory Council

Since January 1, 2007: Member of board of directors of the Seoul Foundation Art and Culture

Since January 2008: Member of board of directors of the Seoul Arts Center

Since January 2008: Member of board of directors of the Goyang Cultural Foundation

Since January 2008: Member of the advisory committee of Exposition 2012, Yeosu.