Park Sun-mee Appointed Principal Dancer at Prestigious American Ballet Theatre, Marking Third Korean Principal

▲ ABT Principal Dancer Park Sun-mee

Another Korean dancer has been named a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the world's premier ballet companies.

According to ABT on the 16th (local time), ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe announced the promotion of soloist Park Sun-mee to principal dancer immediately following the performance of "Swan Lake" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on the 15th.

The official appointment date is September 1.

Park performed the lead roles of Odette and Odile during that evening's performance.

"Park commands the stage in her own unique way," Jaffe said. "She brings a quiet power to everything she dances."

Jaffe added, "She has met every challenge we have given her with grace, and her growth has been nothing short of remarkable. I am so proud to recognize her with this promotion."

Park has ascended to the highest rank at ABT at an exceptional pace since joining the company.

She began ballet at the age of 10, attended Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School and the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts, and joined the ABT Studio Company upon her graduation from the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) in 2019.

After joining ABT as an apprentice in 2021, she became a member of the corps de ballet in February 2022.

She was promoted to soloist seven months later, and has now reached the top rank of principal dancer in about four years.

Park established her presence on the global stage early in her career, winning first place at the Moscow International Ballet Competition in 2017 and taking first place in the senior pas de deux category at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in 2018.

Founded in 1940 and based in New York, ABT is a world-class classical ballet company.

It was recognized as America's National Ballet Company by the U.S. Congress in 2006.

With this promotion, the number of Korean principal dancers at ABT has increased to three, including Seo Hee and Ahn Joo-won.

Currently, soloist Han Sung-woo and corps de ballet member Seo Yoon-jung are also active with ABT, continuing to showcase the presence of Korean ballet.

(Photo: Captured from ABT website, Yonhap News)

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