Dance + Giving Back
BE INSPIRED WITH THE DANCING SOMA ENSEMBLE
Dancing Soma Ensemble (DSE) is the first charity / non-profit organization founded by Juna Koo, who has been the Artistic Director & Principal of Dancing Soma School of Ballet for Contemporary & Competitive Dance in the Greater Toronto Area since 2016. Juna is one of the most dedicated educators and influencers in the dance community. Her philosophy is to inspire students to dance from the inside out, to teach them more than dance techniques. Her students advance in the development of their mental, physical, emotional and artistic growth. By offering her studio as a communal space, a group of passionate young dancers, committed instructors, supportive parents and devoting volunteers officially formed the Dancing Soma Ensemble in 2019. The group has initiated programs to perform for the community and to create an original performance for charitable organization. We hope to generate funds to extend our programs to reach out to a variety of communities including youth groups without a dance background or people with disabilities. Our organization will continue to develop community programming as it becomes more established. We won’t be able to achieve our mission without support.
“Make a Move! Participate or Donate so that we can all Groove”.
Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that is should always be delivered back to the people.
ABOUT DSE
Our Founder
JUNA KOO
Juna Koo, Principal & Artistic Director of DSE since 2016, is a dedicated educator and known influencer in the dance community. Juna teaches more than just dance techniques; mental, physical and emotional growth are an intrinsic part of her teachings. In 2019, Juna took her passion to inspire movement to another level and founded her first Charitable / Non-Profit Organization, allowing the community at large to have access to the benefits of dance. Supporting her leadership ability is both her Dance Education and her extensive experience in Arts & Culture including:
- Teaching the full-time Bachelor Program at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in Hong Kong
- Active participation in non-profit organizations and the Hong Kong Arts Festival during her tenure at Hong Kong Academy
- Involvement in multiple productions for the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, including the Standard Chartered Arts in the Parks
- Site Specific Art Projects for The Hong Kong Jockey Club
- Volunteer work for Po Leung Kuk to provide creative moment classes to kids from lower income groups and choreographed original pieces for public school musical performance
Directors
Minnie Wong
Ernest Ho
Executive Committee
Pancy Pong – Chair
Linda Zhang – Vice Chair
Cherry Ng – Treasurer
Anne Quon – Secretary
Staff
Juna Koo – Executive Director
Sally Choi – Director of Development and Communications
Vivian Tan – Program Manager
Jessica Tan – Community Programs Coordinator
Ruby Mok – Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
Heidi Kam – Finance & Administration Coordinator
