CHOREOGRAPHER - EDUCATOR  - PHOTOGRAPHER - VISUAL ART DESIGNER

 

BIOGRAPHY

Jae Man Joo is an internationally acclaimed choreographer and the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Princess Grace Choreographer Award. Hailing from Korea, he brought his unique artistic vision to the US in 1996, where he served as the Associate Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. As a former principal dancer at Ballet Hispanico & Complexions, Jae Man Joo has worked and performed with a diverse range of choreographers, including William Forsythe, Dwight Rhoden, Shen Wei, Igal Perry, and Jessica Lang, enriching his artistic journey. Jae Man Joo was invited to create a new work for Jacob's Pillow in 2017 and 2019. He received the Best Individual Artist Award from the Bagnolet International Dance Festival in Paris, France. Joo's artistic prowess has been recognized globally, with the 2021 and 2023 Korea Dance Critics Choice Awards and the 2022 prestigious Korea E-daily Cultural Grand Prize for his full-length evening ballet "VITA." These accolades are a testament to his profound influence on the dance world. He has created more than seven different ballets for Complexions, all of which premiered at the NY Joyce Theater. In 2023, he premiered the full-evening ballet "DIVINE" for Gwangju City Ballet, Korea, and "Divine"  received the Best Dance Art Work of the Year 2023. In 2024, he premiered a brand new full-act ballet, “When Time Stands Still,” for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater 2024 season at The Benedum Theater with the PBT live orchestra. In 2024 Joo premiered his work “ Eternal Variations” for Dallas Black Theater. In August 2024,  Joo premiered a New full-evening ballet for the newly founded Korea Metropolitan Ballet Company for his rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which is the company's first full-evening ballet. In August 2024 Presented by ABT's Principal dancer Calvin Royal III “UNITE” Ballet Festival which opened at the NY Joyce Theater,  Joo’s revival Work “Flight” was performed by American Ballet theater Principal dancer Herman Cornejo. Currently, He is a Full-time Faculty Ballet Professor at Point Park University and A Resident Choreographer, Ballet Master, and Artist in Residence in Complexions Contemporary Ballet.