CHARLES HONG is a composer and performer who has been playing the Korean drums for more than 30 years. In 1992 he travelled to Seoul, South Korea, and for four years apprenticed under master drummer Kim Duk Soo. He has visited Korea a number of times to further his studies of drumming repertoire. He has also received private studies in traditional Korean song and traditional reed instruments.
He is also the Artistic Director of Ensemble Jeng Yi, a Korean performing arts company based in Toronto. Founded in 1998, the ensemble has mounted several self-presentations and has a strong history of touring.
Charles Hong received the 2008 Dora Award for Outstanding Sound Design/Composition in the dance category for his musical work on Soojung Kwon's dance work Choonengmu.
JOO HYUNG KIM is an accomplished performer of the Kayagum, the traditional Korean zither. Born in Korea, she began her traditional Korean music training at the age of six. She majored in traditional Korean music at Kyung Buk University, and completed her M.A. in traditional music at Sook Myung University. She immigrated to Canada in 2005 and has been an active performer, composer, and educator.
Ms Kim has collaborated with Charles Hong as well as his Korean performing arts troupe Ensemble Jeng Yi on many touring engagements and projects. She collaborated with Charles Hong in the creation of the music for Soojung Kwon's dance work Choonengmu, for which they won the 2008 Dora award for Outstanding Sound Design/ Composition in the dance category.
SOOJUNG KWON was born in Seoul, South Korea and has been dancing since the age of four. She immigrated to Toronto in 1990 and continued to dance in Canada. She was a member of the Mi Young Kim Dance Company for eleven years. In 2002 she embarked on a solo career as a dancer and choreographer, exploring new expressions of Korean dance.
In 2003, she returned to Seoul, South Korea and trained for 5 months under renowned choreographer Ms. Mae Ja Kim at her Changmu Institute. During her time in Korea Ms. Kwon also studied more traditional dance styles with Ms. Sun Mi Kim and Ms. Hyo Suk Lee.
The music from her dance work, The Choonengmu Project, premiered at the 2008 CanAsian Dance Festival, won the Dora for Outstanding Music Design/Composition in the Dance Division.