Folk Arts - Master Artist - Sun-hee Davies

Sun-hee Davies is a Korean immigrant and a master of Samul Nori. Davies has been practicing traditional Korean dance and music since she was seven years old. Samul Nori is a style of dance originating from traditional Korean harvest dances. Sun-hee learned the percussion and dances from several teachers, including a few Korean National Human Treasures. She has toured with the Korean Folk ballet, headed dance companies, directed a dance department in a Korean school, and been a master artist in Northwest Folklife's Folklife in the Schools Program. Davies received her Teacher’s License in Kyung-hee University in Seoul in 1977, completed her M.A. in Dance from Ewha Women’s University, and has taught at several schools in Washington State. Her “no nonsense” approach to teaching has impressed many of her colleagues, and has proved effective with her students. “[Sun-hee] appreciates and acknowledges honest effort as she patiently guides those whom she is responsible for,” says a fellow teacher. Sun-hee has been living, working, and sharing the art of Samul Nori in the Puget Sound area for five years.

As a recipient of a 1999 Apprenticeship grant, Davies taught five apprentices, including Susie Kim, how to play the Korean hour glass drum, round drum, big gong, and small gong. All five apprentices learned seventy different rhythms and drumming techniques.

As a recipient of a 2000 Apprenticeship grant, Davies taught Crystal Kim Samul Nori dances and percussion of Samul Nori. Crystal studied Korean history and culture and both master and apprentice participated in the Northwest Folklife Festival.

Crystal Kim is a Korean-American from Snohomish, Washington. Crystal first started learning Samul Nori from Davies in 1999, and has proven herself a serious and focused student. Her strong will and clear vision of her future impressed Davies early on. Crystal plans to pass Korean culture and history on to the next generations through Samul Nori dance and music.