The Korean Dance Studies Society (KDSSC), is fuelled by the spirit, energy and inspiration derived from the Korean Culture, by nurturing traditional Korean dance and exploring contemporary dances rooted in the traditional aesthetics.
The artistic director, Mi Young Kim, first opened a company under the name MYK Folk Dance Institute in 1979 and adopted the name Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada in 1987 when the company expanded its services. The KDSSC’s goal is to invoke awareness and promote Korean dance and music throughout Canada, as well as developing the form within our Canadian context.
In order to enrich culture, multiculturalism and community, the mandate of the Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada stipulates that KDSSC promotes Korean traditional dance and music throughout Canada for both Koreans and other Canadians by
(1) creating and producing both traditional dance works and contemporary works based on traditional practices and aesthetics;
(2) promoting community interactions through the presentation of culturally diverse traditional and contemporary dance forms;
(3) providing instructions and workshops of Korean traditional dance and music/rhythm (drums) to general public, semi-professionals, as well as professionalsin-training to prepare them for future careers in the field of Korean Traditional Dance.
To provide high quality and accessible Korean dance to the public, KDSSC has 3 major components: the SooRyu School of Dance and Drum, the Mi Young Kim Dance Company and the SooRyu Dance Festival. The dance school is the only institution in Canada that offers a professional program of Korean traditional and contemporary dance and has acted as the only source of nurturing dance professionals in the field of Korean dance. KDSSC presents Mi Young Kim Dance Company Performances (self-presentations that showcase the choreographic work of the Artistic Director) and the SooRyu Dance Festival that presents a cross section of cultural work.
