Join this year's competition for your chance
to train/work with professional companies!
- Dance Planner : Why did you decide to join this program?
Jae hee Shim :
I decided to join this program because I thought it was a rare and valuable opportunity to experience auditions for international dance companies in Korea.
I also had very good memories from the previous audition experience, so I was really happy to have the chance to visit the company again, experience their atmosphere more closely, and learn more about their style and artistic approach.
Most of all, I wanted to experience different company styles and discover more clearly what kind of direction I want to pursue as a dancer.
- What was the most meaningful part of this experience?
The most meaningful part was being able to experience various company styles and artistic environments firsthand.
Through this experience, I was able to think more deeply about my own artistic direction and what kind of dancer I want to become in the future.
It was truly a special experience for me.
- How did you prepare for the program?
Since I major in contemporary dance, I paid extra attention to ballet classes during the preparation process.
I felt that ballet was one of the areas where I needed more confidence and improvement, so I tried to focus carefully on the fundamentals and make the most out of every class experience.
Rather than preparing something overly special, I tried to stay open-minded and absorb as much as possible throughout the process.
- What was your first impression of Ballet de l’Opéra Grand Avignon?
The dancers felt very close and family-like with each other, and the rehearsal atmosphere looked very free and open.
I was also impressed by the city of Avignon itself because it felt peaceful and beautiful.
- What felt different compared to Korea?
I felt that the works included much more theatrical expression, and the dancers expressed themselves more freely and boldly compared to what I was used to seeing in Korea.
That artistic freedom left a very strong impression on me.
- What was the most memorable moment during the training program?
I had the opportunity to watch rehearsals for the company’s production “America” almost every day.
One of the most memorable scenes was when all the dancers appeared wearing masks of former U.S. President Trump.
It felt very direct, bold, and artistically fearless, which was very fresh and inspiring to me.
I was also deeply inspired by the dancers’ powerful energy and presence.
Watching the rehearsal process every day, I could see how the dancers gradually improved together and built stronger connections with one another.
At some point, I even felt as if I had become part of the company myself.
- What did this experience teach you?
This experience taught me the importance of freedom and confidence in artistic expression.
After experiencing the open and creative atmosphere abroad, I gained more confidence to express myself more freely and boldly in my own dancing as well.
I also discovered that I have the ability to quickly absorb and adapt to different movement styles and artistic approaches from various countries and environments.
Overall, this experience helped me grow not only technically, but also mentally.
- What was the most challenging part?
The biggest challenge for me was communication.
In France, English was not always commonly used, so there were moments when communication felt difficult.
However, I tried my best to communicate in different ways and realized that effort and attitude are just as important as language itself.
- How do you think this experience will help your future career?
This experience helped me become more familiar with the atmosphere of international dance companies.
Because of that, I think I will be able to approach future auditions with less nervousness and more confidence.
It also gave me a clearer vision of what kind of environment I want to work in as a dancer in the future.
- Is there anything you would like to say to dancers considering this opportunity?
Don’t hesitate too much and just challenge yourself.
I believe the experience itself will teach you many things and help you grow both as a dancer and as a person.
Thank you, Jaehee, for sharing your inspiring journey with us.
We look forward to seeing your continued growth and future achievements! 😊
Join this year's competition for your chance
to train/work with professional companies!
- Dance Planner : Why did you decide to join this program?
Jae hee Shim :
I decided to join this program because I thought it was a rare and valuable opportunity to experience auditions for international dance companies in Korea.
I also had very good memories from the previous audition experience, so I was really happy to have the chance to visit the company again, experience their atmosphere more closely, and learn more about their style and artistic approach.
Most of all, I wanted to experience different company styles and discover more clearly what kind of direction I want to pursue as a dancer.
- What was the most meaningful part of this experience?
The most meaningful part was being able to experience various company styles and artistic environments firsthand.
Through this experience, I was able to think more deeply about my own artistic direction and what kind of dancer I want to become in the future.
It was truly a special experience for me.
- How did you prepare for the program?
Since I major in contemporary dance, I paid extra attention to ballet classes during the preparation process.
I felt that ballet was one of the areas where I needed more confidence and improvement, so I tried to focus carefully on the fundamentals and make the most out of every class experience.
Rather than preparing something overly special, I tried to stay open-minded and absorb as much as possible throughout the process.
- What was your first impression of Ballet de l’Opéra Grand Avignon?
The dancers felt very close and family-like with each other, and the rehearsal atmosphere looked very free and open.
I was also impressed by the city of Avignon itself because it felt peaceful and beautiful.
- What felt different compared to Korea?
I felt that the works included much more theatrical expression, and the dancers expressed themselves more freely and boldly compared to what I was used to seeing in Korea.
That artistic freedom left a very strong impression on me.
- What was the most memorable moment during the training program?
I had the opportunity to watch rehearsals for the company’s production “America” almost every day.
One of the most memorable scenes was when all the dancers appeared wearing masks of former U.S. President Trump.
It felt very direct, bold, and artistically fearless, which was very fresh and inspiring to me.
I was also deeply inspired by the dancers’ powerful energy and presence.
Watching the rehearsal process every day, I could see how the dancers gradually improved together and built stronger connections with one another.
At some point, I even felt as if I had become part of the company myself.
- What did this experience teach you?
This experience taught me the importance of freedom and confidence in artistic expression.
After experiencing the open and creative atmosphere abroad, I gained more confidence to express myself more freely and boldly in my own dancing as well.
I also discovered that I have the ability to quickly absorb and adapt to different movement styles and artistic approaches from various countries and environments.
Overall, this experience helped me grow not only technically, but also mentally.
- What was the most challenging part?
The biggest challenge for me was communication.
In France, English was not always commonly used, so there were moments when communication felt difficult.
However, I tried my best to communicate in different ways and realized that effort and attitude are just as important as language itself.
- How do you think this experience will help your future career?
This experience helped me become more familiar with the atmosphere of international dance companies.
Because of that, I think I will be able to approach future auditions with less nervousness and more confidence.
It also gave me a clearer vision of what kind of environment I want to work in as a dancer in the future.
- Is there anything you would like to say to dancers considering this opportunity?
Don’t hesitate too much and just challenge yourself.
I believe the experience itself will teach you many things and help you grow both as a dancer and as a person.
Thank you, Jaehee, for sharing your inspiring journey with us.
We look forward to seeing your continued growth and future achievements! 😊