Join us for a celebration of cultural exchange between the Republic of Korea and the United States during a Korean National Ballet Gala Performance at The Kennedy Center, featuring Korea's premier performing arts ensemble under the guidance of artistic director Kang Suejin.

This special event will present a curated selection of timeless classics and captivating contemporary works from the global ballet repertoire and feature esteemed principal dancers Hee Seo and Cory Stearns of the American Ballet Theatre and Eun Won Lee and Ariel Martinez of The Washington Ballet as special guests, symbolizing the enduring cultural bonds between two nations. (Note: Due to scheduling, Aran Bell of ABT will be unable to take part as originally announced.)

Each performer will present original and classical dance compositions, reflecting their distinctive styles and creative inspirations through a narrative of movement and personal reflection. The Korean National Ballet will showcase the essence of classical ballet with performances of iconic works such as “Swan Lake” and “Le Corsaire,” alongside original ballet productions that draw inspiration from Korean culture. Eun Won Lee will unveil a compelling ballet piece entitled “Finding Light,” choreographed by the renowned Edwaard Liang, artistic director of The Washington Ballet. Meanwhile, Hee Seo will captivate audiences with a performance of the Pas de Deux from “The Seasons: Summer,” choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. This unique gala performance will offer a rare glimpse into the trends and techniques of Korean and American ballet, fostering a platform for cultural and artistic exchange between the two nations through the medium of dance. 

Korean National Ballet Gala Performance

Wednesday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Eisenhower Theater, The Kennedy Center

Tickets for this event are free with and RSVP (below), but seating is limited. This performance is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center. 

RSVP UPDATE

Due to a strong response, this event has reached full capacity and we are unable to accept additional RSVPs at this time. While we will do our best to accommodate any walk-in guests without an RSVP, admission and seating are not guaranteed. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events!

Program

Swan Lake: Grand Pas de Deux

Finding Light

Hoi Rang: Pas de Deux

Quartet of the Soul

Season: SPRING

Swan Lake: White Swan Pas de Deux

Le Corsaire: Pas de Trois

Bow

About the Artists

Korean National Ballet

The Korean National Ballet was founded in 1962 as the first professional ballet company in Korea. Today, it features a superb and versatile troupe of Korean dancers capable of performing an extensive repertoire. The Korean National Ballet performs a worldwide acclaimed repertoire including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Spartacus, La Bayadère choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich, Giselle by Patrice Bart, The Taming of the Shrew by John Cranko, Sleeping Beauty by Marcia Haydée, Anna Karenina by Christian Spuck, Serenade and Jewels by George Balanchine, Forgotten Land and Sechs Tänze by Jiří Kylián, The Seventh Symphony by Uwe Scholz, The Rite of Spring by Glen Tetley, La Fille mal gardée by Frederick Ashton, and The Little Mermaid by John Neumeier. The Korean National Ballet has also presented its own versions of Le Corsaire in 2020 and Don Quixote in 2023, based on Marius Petipa’s famous classical ballets.

The Korean National Ballet created Prince Hodong, Heonanseolheon-Suwolkyunghwa, and Hoi Rang, and they are seeking new choreographers and repertoires through the KNB Movement Series started in 2015. The Korean National Ballet also performs on stages around the world, earning notable accolades in Italy, Russia, Belgium, Colombia, Canada, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom. The company strives to enhance the prominence of Korean ballet on the international stage. In May 2023, the Korean National Ballet was invited to the International May Festival held in Wiesbaden, Germany, to perform its own version of Le Corsaire. In April 2024, the company was invited by The Royal Ballet to perform Season: Spring at the International Draft Works 2024, improving the international status of Korean Ballet on the world stage. Since 2021, through its public non-profit project Fly Higher with KNB, the Korean National Ballet offers ballet lessons to elementary school students in rural provinces, providing the opportunity to perform with the company’s dancers on stage.

Kang Suejin | Artistic Director, Korean National Ballet

Artistic Director Kang Suejin boasts an impressive career trajectory and a multitude of accolades. From 1986 to 2016, she graced the stages of the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, steadily climbing the ranks from Soloist in 1994 to Principal dancer in 1997. Her exceptional talent was further recognized in 2007 when she was appointed as Kammertänzerin (Royal Court Dancer) in Germany. In 2013, she was appointed as an honorary ambassador for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics. Transitioning to her role as the Artistic Director at the Korean National Ballet in 2014, she has continued to shape the landscape of ballet in Korea. Notably, in 2022, she served as the principal speaker for International Dance Day. Kang's achievements have been recognized with honors and awards throughout her career, including the Prix de Lausanne scholarship in 1985, the Prix Benois de la Danse for Best Female Dancer in 1999, and the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit from Republic of Korea, also in 1999. She has received recognition from various organizations and foundations, including the Ho-Am Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, and the Korean-German Society, among others. Beyond her own performances, Kang has served as a jury member in several prestigious international dance competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne and the Seoul International Dance Competition. In 2013, she penned her autobiography, "A Passionate Heart Takes a Long Breath," followed by "Every Step I Take Is My Own" in 2017. Her influence extends beyond the stage, with the German Orchid Society naming a brand-new orchid after her in 1998. Additionally, she was invited to participate in the Fourth St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum in 2015, further solidifying her presence and influence in the world of ballet and the arts. In 1985, she graduated from the Académie de Danse Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and in 2016, she was honored with an honorary doctorate degree from the Department of Dance at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Republic of Korea. 

Dancers | Korean National Ballet 

Kang Hyohyung, Kim Byeol, Park Seohyun, Sim Hyunhee, An Suyeon, Yang Heejae, Lee Eunseo, Lee Hayeon, Jung Eunji, Cho Yeonjae, Hwang Yubin, Kwak Donghyeon, Ryu Jewon, Byun Seongwan, Song Jungbin, Yang Junyoung, Lee Yoohong, Lee Jaewoo, Ha Jiseok, Heo Seomyeong

Hee Seo | Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Hee Seo began her ballet training in her hometown at the Sun-hwa Arts Middle School. She was awarded a three-year full scholarship to continue her training at the Universal Ballet Academy in Washington, D. C. In 2003, Seo won a scholarship to train at the John Cranko Ballet Academy in Stuttgart. She is the recipient of the 2003 Prix de Lausanne Award and the 2003 Grand Prix at the Youth American Grand Prix in New York. She joined ABT Studio Company in 2004, became an apprentice with the main Company in May 2005, and joined the corps de ballet in March 2006. She was promoted to Soloist in August 2010 and to Principal Dancer in July 2012. Her repertoire with the company includes Terpsichore and Polyhymnia in Apollo, Nikiya, Gamzatti, a Lead D’Jampe, and a Shade in La Bayadère, Cinderella in Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, Twig in James Kudelka’s Cinderella, Concerto pas de deux, Prayer in Coppélia, Medora in Le Corsaire, Depuis le Jour, Kitri, Mercedes, the Dryad Queen, and a flower girl in Don Quixote, The Dying Swan, Glove Seller in Gaîté Parisienne, Giselle and Zulma in Giselle, Queen of Shemakahn in the Golden Cockerel, Pierrette in Alexei Ratmansky’s Harlequinade, Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre, Caroline in Jardin aux Lilas, Olympia in Lady of the Camellias, Rosaura in Like Water for Chocolate, the title role in Manon, Natalia Petrovna in A Month in the Country, Clara, the Princess and one of the Nutcracker’s Sisters in Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, Callirhoe in Of Love and Rage, Tatiana in Onegin, Natalia in On the Dnipro, Other Dances, The Siren in Prodigal Son, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, The Spirit of the Corn in The Seasons, Princess Aurora, the Lilac Fairy, the Fairy of Sincerity, and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty, Odette-Odile, the pas de trois, the Polish Princess, and a big swan in Swan Lake, the Sylph in La Sylphide, Prelude in Les Sylphides, Sylvia and Ceres in Sylvia, Thaïs Pas de Deux, Princess Tea Flower in Whipped Cream, leading roles in The Brahms-Haydn Variations, Chamber Symphony, Dark Elegies, The Leaves Are Fading, Monotones II, Mozartiana, Piano Concerto No. 1, Raymonda Divertissements, Seven Sonatas, Serenade after Plato’s Symposium, Thirteen Diversions, A Time There Was, and Valse Fantaisie, and featured roles in Ballo della Regina, Birthday Offering, Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, Duets, From Here On Out, Petite Mort, Overgrown Path, and Sinfonietta. She created Frost in The Seasons and leading roles in AFTERITE, Garden Blue, I Feel The Earth Move, and With a Chance of Rain. Seo has appeared as a guest artist with the Mariinsky Ballet dancing the title role in Giselle and Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty.

Cory Stearns | Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

Born on Long Island, New York, Cory Stearns began his classical training at the age of five with Mme. Valia Seiskaya at the Seiskaya Ballet. At age 15, he participated in the Youth America Grand Prix and was offered a full scholarship to The Royal Ballet School in London. Stearns performed in Madrid, Moscow, Milan, Düsseldorf, and London while at The Royal, and appeared with Kylie Minogue in her music video Chocolate in 2004. Upon graduating from The Royal Ballet School with honors, he received, for the second year, the Dame Ruth Railton Award for excellence in dance. Stearns joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in September 2004, the main Company as an apprentice in January 2005, and became a member of the corps de ballet in January 2006. He was appointed a Soloist in January 2009 and a Principal Dancer in January 2011. Stearns repertory with the Company includes The Man in AfterEffect, The Awakening Pas de Deux, Solor in La Bayadère, The Ballet Dancer in The Bright Stream, a featured role in Brief Fling, Her Prince Charming in Cinderella, Concerto pas de deux, Conrad in Le Corsaire, Daphnis in Daphnis and Chloe, Basilio and Espada in Don Quixote, Oberon in The Dream, a leading role in Études, Second Sailor in Fancy Free, Colas in La Fille mal gardée, Kaschei in Firebird, Baron in Gaîté Parisienne, Albrecht in Giselle, Astrologer in The Golden Cockerel, Grand Pas Classique, Her Lover in Jardin aux Lilas, Edward Rochester in Jane Eyre, Armand Duval in Lady of the Camellias, Let Me Sing Forevermore, Dr. John Brown in Like Water for Chocolate, Des Grieux in Manon, Beliaev in A Month in the Country, His Friend in The Moor’s Pavane, the Nutcracker Prince in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, Sergiy in On the Dnipro, Onegin in Onegin, Iago and a Carnival Dancer in Othello, Other Dances, Man From the House Opposite in Pillar of Fire, Romeo and Paris in Romeo and Juliet, the Terrestrial in Shadowplay, Prince Désiré, the Celtic Prince, and a Fairy Knight in The Sleeping Beauty, Prince Désiré in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty, Prince Siegfried and von Rothbart in Swan Lake, James in La Sylphide, the Poet in Les Sylphides, Some Assembly Required, Orion and Apollo in Sylvia, Prospero in The Tempest, Prince Coffee in Whipped Cream, leading roles in Allegro Brillante, The Brahms-Haydn Variations, Duo Concertant, Études, Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once, The Leaves Are Fading, Mozartiana, Monotones II, Rabbit and Rogue, Raymonda Divertissements, Symphony in C, Theme and Variations, Thirteen Diversions, and With a Chance of Rain, and featured roles in Citizen, Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, Duets, In the Upper Room, Overgrown Path, and Petite Mort. Stearns created Mithridates in Of Love and Rage, leading roles in AFTERITE, I Feel The Earth Move, Her Notes, Piano Concerto No. 1, Single Eye, A Time There Was, and ZigZag, and featured roles in From Here On Out, One of Three, and Private Light. Stearns won the 2009 Erik Bruhn Prize for best male dancer.

Eun Won Lee | Principal Dancer, The Washington Ballet

Eun Won Lee is in her third season with The Washington Ballet. She was formerly a Principal dancer with Korean National Ballet for six years and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, South Korea. She also attended Ye Won Art School. Lee is a distinguished recipient of The Korea Ballet Association’s Prima Ballerina Award and New Artist Award, Korea Ballet Competition’s Senior Silver Medal and Prima Ballerina Award, Varna Ballet Competition’s Junior Bronze Medal, Shanghai Ballet Competition’s Junior Silver Medal, Seoul International Ballet Competition’s Grand Prix Junior Gold Medal, and Vaganova Prix International Competition’s Elegance Award. Lee has danced diverse repertoire including leading roles in The Taming of the Shrew (Cranko), Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, La Bayadère, Spartacus, Raymonda, L’Arlésienne, The Nutcracker, The Seventh Symphony, Prince Ho Dong, Holberg Pas de deux, Tchaicovsky and Poise.

Ariel Martínez | Principal Dancer, The Washington Ballet

Ariel Martínez began his ballet studies at the School of Ballet Alejo Carpentier and continued his education at Fernando Alonso National Ballet School, associated with Ballet Nacional de Cuba. His instructors included Dunia Vera, Verónica Muxó, Normaria Olaechea, and Elena Cangas. He has competed in Italy, South Africa, Mexico, and Cuba, obtaining awards in many of these events, including a silver medal in the contest of the International Meeting of Academies for the Teaching of Ballet in 2014 and a gold medal for contemporary ballet performing Innovation in South Africa in 2016. In 2014 he became a company member of Ballet Nacional de Cuba, becoming a first soloist in 2016. He performed in the world premiere of Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa’s Oscurio, as well as her ballet Celeste. His repertoire includes Giselle, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Coppélia, and other other ballets by notable Cuban choreographers. Martínez is now a company member of The Washington Ballet. 

Aran Bell | Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

Note: Due to scheduling, Aran Bell of ABT will be unable to take part as originally announced.

Aran Bell was born in Bethesda, Maryland. He began studying ballet at age four, receiving the majority of his early training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and with Denys Ganio in Rome, Italy. He continued his training with Fabrice Herrault in New York City and Magaly Suarez in Florida. He spent several summers at The Royal Ballet School in London, and at American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive in New York City. Bell’s awards include the Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City in 2009 and 2010, followed by the Junior Grand Prix in 2011, Grand Prix at the Milan International Ballet Competition (2010), the Premio Positano (2011), the Premio Amalfi Young Talent Award (2012), Gold Medal at Tanzolymp Berlin (2012), Gold Medal and Audience Choice Award at Rieti International Ballet Competition (2012), the Premio Roma Jia Ruskaja (2012), and the Premio Capri Danza International Award (2014). He has performed in galas throughout Europe and the United States. Bell was featured in the 2011 film First Position: A Ballet Documentary. Bell joined ABT Studio Company in September 2014, joined the main Company as an apprentice in May 2016 and became a member of the corps de ballet in March 2017. He was promoted to Soloist in September 2019 and to Principal Dancer in September 2020. His repertoire includes Lankendem in Le Corsaire, Basilio in Don Quixote, Albrecht in Giselle, Harlequin’s Friend in Harlequinade, St. John Rivers in Jane Eyre, The Leaves Are Fading pas de deux, Juan Alejandrez in Like Water for Chocolate, the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Prince Désiré and the Spanish Prince in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty, Prince Siegfried and von Rothbart in Swan Lake, leading roles in Garden Blue, Thirteen Diversions, and ZigZag, and featured roles in AfterEffect, Deuce Coupe, In the Upper Room, Sinfonietta, and Songs of Bukovina. He created Mme. de Staël in A Gathering of Ghosts, Chaereas in Of Love and Rage, Winter in The Seasons, leading roles in AFTERITE, Danzón No. 2, Let Me Sing Forevermore, and New American Romance, and a featured role in Bernstein in a Bubble.

Credits, Korean National Ballet 

Kang Suejin | Artistic Director & CEO 

Lee Jongmin | Managing Director 

Sin Museop | Deputy Artistic Director 

Park Il | Ballet Master 

Shin Hyun-seung | Director of Management Division 

Oh Jahyun | Director of Planning Department 

Lee Jung | Manager of Planning Department 

Hyunah Kim | Director of Marketing & PR 

Choi Taeeun | Team Member of Arts & Technical Support 

Park Changmo | Technical Director 

Lee Youngdon | Stage Manager

Park Seong-jin | Sound Director 

Kim Inok | Costume Director 

Park Inhye | Makeup Director 

Ko Eilarn | Trainer 

Lee Hwayoung | Gayageum Musician

Baek Siwon | Lighting Director

Jeong Guhong | Lighting Programmer