About Jiwon
Jiwon Ha is an accomplished choreographer, dancer, and educator whose career spans multiple countries and dance forms. Born and raised in Busan, South Korea, Ha trained in diverse styles including contemporary, ballet, modern, and Korean folk dance. She earned both her B.F.A. and M.Ed. in Dance from Pusan National University, building a strong foundation in both performance and dance education. Early in her career, she taught at a performing arts high school in Busan and performed with the Busan Dance Company (BADA), while also engaging with the World Dance Alliance’s Korea chapter. This rich background cultivated Ha’s versatility and deep respect for dance traditions.
Since relocating to the United States, Ha has embraced North Carolina’s vibrant dance community and established herself as a leading voice in contemporary dance. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Elon University, where her teaching and research focus on connecting traditional Korean and contemporary dance forms. Ha also teaches in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ Preparatory Dance Program, mentoring the next generation of dancers. As an educator, she is known for her dynamic and supportive teaching style – she draws on classical modern techniques such as Martha Graham’s method while encouraging creative exchange in the studio. Her international teaching experience (from conservatory students in Korea to college dancers in the U.S.) has shaped an approachable, yet rigorous pedagogy that empowers students to excel as artists. Notably, Ha is a Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) certified instructor, reflecting her commitment to safe and effective dance training.
Ha’s creative work often bridges cultures and artistic disciplines. As a choreographer, she weaves Korean cultural heritage into contemporary dance, crafting unique movement narratives that resonate globally. She has presented original works at prestigious venues and festivals around the world, including the Toronto Fringe Festival, New York University’s IMPACT performance series, the International Performing Arts Festival of Korea, and North Carolina’s own festivals. In 2023, Ha was selected as the Artist in Residence for the North Carolina Dance Festival, during which she developed a new work titled “Roots.” This full-length piece blends traditional Korean dance and modern dance forms, exploring unity through different counting systems. Roots grew out of her residency research, where she discovered intricate connections between Korean folk dance rhythms and contemporary movement, and it was produced with support from the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.
In 2025, Ha’s choreographic vision earned statewide recognition when she was commissioned to create a headlining work for the North Carolina Dance Festival’s 35th Anniversary Mainstage concert. The resulting piece, “Mun” (문, meaning “Gateway”), is a group work that fuses her Korean heritage with modern dance innovation. Mun (Gateway) opens a door through time and space – the work symbolically explores transitions across thresholds of identity, culture, and connection. Ha describes Mun as a very personal piece, reflecting her own experience of living “between two worlds” and continuously growing by stepping through new gateways. The premiere of Mun in 2025, performed by a select ensemble of pre-professional dancers, marked a milestone in Ha’s career as a choreographer commissioned for a major dance festival.
Throughout her career, Jiwon Ha has been dedicated to connecting cultures through dance. At Elon University, her research and creative work center on bridging traditional Korean dance with contemporary practices to inspire cultural exchange and inclusivity in the arts. She often integrates elements of Korean folk dance—rich with symbolism and ritual—into modern choreography, telling stories that speak to both Korean and American experiences. As a performer and collaborator, she has worked on interdisciplinary projects such as “Multiplicities” (a 2024 collaboration with the contemporary chamber group Khemia Ensemble), where her choreography was featured alongside live classical music. Her ability to navigate different artistic settings, from concert dance stages to educational workshops, showcases a remarkable adaptability and breadth of expertise.
Professional Highlights
In addition to her academic roles, Ha’s professional accomplishments underscore her stature in the dance field. She was a recipient of a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, which supported the development of her work Roots. She has served as a guest teaching artist and adjudicator for various dance programs, and her choreography has been featured in numerous showcases and festivals in North America and Asia. Ha’s leadership was recognized when she joined the NC Dance Festival’s residency program, and she continues to actively contribute to the dance community through workshops and choreographic mentorships.
With her extensive training, international experience, and innovative creative vision, Jiwon Ha stands out as a leading contemporary dance educator and choreographer. Colleagues and students alike note her passion, professionalism, and the unique perspective she brings as a Korean artist working in the United States. Whether she is staging an ambitious new work or guiding dancers in the studio, Ha engages others with a blend of technical excellence and heartfelt artistry. She remains devoted to pushing the art of dance forward – bridging worlds, inspiring young artists, and sharing the transformative power of dance with audiences and communities.
Elon University and the UNC School of the Arts are among the institutions that have benefited from Ha’s expertise and creative energy, and her impact continues to grow. Jiwon Ha’s journey—from Busan to North Carolina, from student to professor, from performer to internationally showcased choreographer—illustrates a lifelong commitment to excellence in dance. She invites audiences to experience movement as a living conversation between past and present, personal and universal, and she strives to ensure that her work leaves a meaningful and lasting impression.