Folk Arts - Master Artist - Jiyeon Cheh

Ji Yeon Cheh has been teaching and performing Korean music and dance throughout the Puget Sound region in an effort to keep Korean heritage and culture alive for Korean immigrants. She also sees her performances and classes as a way of fostering friendship and understanding between the American community at large and the Korean people. Mrs. Cheh studied music and dance in Korea under the tutoring of Mrs. Park Kum Sul and Mr. Choi Hyun. Salp’uri is a challenging dance form, which Mrs. Cheh teaches only to her most advanced students. Jiyeon Cheh has received many honors for her talent and knowledge; these include an award from the Prime Minister, an award from the Consulate General, the Traditional Art Award from KAPS (Korean American Professional Society) and various other international awards. Her goals, similar to her apprentices, are to spread the richness of her culture by being a resource to the public.

Salp’uri literally translates as "soothing evil spirits" or "warding off bad fortune." The dance is from a form of a shamanist dance from Southwestern Korea, the same area where p’ansori originates. Usually women perform the dance, but some men do as well. Both men and women wear the traditional women’s costume for the dance. Some dance scholars and dancers think that salp’uri was originally performed in a concluding section of a shamanist ceremony, in order to help the soul of a newly dead person pass easily into Paradise. Kisaeng (professional female artist-entertainers) adopted the dance from the shaman ritual in the 18th or 19th century, and taught and practiced in the kwônbôn (female entertainer school). Nowadays the dance is performed by professionals in private studios and national arts institutions in Korea, and among Korean-Americans.

As a recipient of a 1999 Apprenticeship grant, Cheh taught Kaley Hansen and Meeah Benoit Salp'uri Chum dance. Salp'uri is one of the most difficult Korean dances as it involves mastery of a number of basic skills. Cheh focused on teaching Kaley and Meeah to go beyond the movements of the dance and to concentrate on more subtle skills like controlling movement through breath, moving from within, developing concentration on all the parts of the body, connecting, moving, and interacting with other dancers.

As a recipient of a 2001 Apprenticeship grant, Cheh taught Mia Chatterton and Jina Kim Salp’uri dance. Both Mia and Jina met Jiyeon Cheh through the Morning Star Dance group. Jiyeon taught them intricate Korean dances and provided insight into the culture of their homeland. Mia and Jina have been dancing for twelve years and have traveled to various countries for festivals and performances. Locally they performed at Governor Locke’s inauguration, Folk life Festival and the Seafair Parade. Both girls hope to expand their knowledge and skill of Korean dance and tradition so they can represent their culture to the community.

As a recipient of a 2002 Apprenticeship grant, Cheh taught Meehee Rosa Chang and Christine Lee intricate Korean dances, traditional uses of fans, drums, and stringed instruments. Both Meehee and Christine have both been working with Chang for several years, Chang for 9, and Lee for 5.