Today we’d like to introduce you to Kwang-Suk Choi.
Hi Kwang-suk, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I performed as a principal dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre until the age of 40, while contemplating my life beyond that stage, I decided that my goal for the next chapter of my life would be to support students aspiring to major in ballet.
Consequently, I founded the Pittsburgh Ballet House in September 2005 and have been running it for 22 years. Along the way, I have successfully guided students to professional careers with companies such as the San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Boston Ballet—an endeavor that continues to this day. My goal moving forward is to train even more ballet students to become professional dancers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running an studio and helping each student discover their potential is no easy task. It is truly difficult and challenging to see students give up halfway because they lack the patience to work through the differences in individual abilities.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My studio specializes in ballet instruction; drawing on 22 years of teaching experience, I strive to build a school that unlocks students’ potential and fosters their perseverance. I am deeply grateful for the sense of family and community shared among our team members, students, and parents. Furthermore, my goal is to nurture dancers who possess not only technical skill but also strong character.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I started ballet at the relatively late age of 14 when I was just an ordinary student and went on to make it my entire life. Driven by my love for the art form, I willingly embraced the hard work and sacrifices required to transition from a principal dancer at the Korean National Ballet to a company member in the United States; the wealth of professional experience I gained along the way continues to be invaluable to me today.
Furthermore, as an ordinary man who is a husband and a father of two, I constantly feel the need to put in even greater effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pghballethouse.com
- Instagram: @Pittsballethouse
