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About Us

Heerin Kim founded the non-profit organization #1080658-7 – Navillera Korean Performing Arts Development (NKPAD) in August 2018 for education and performance arts in many different areas such as dance and music etc.

We are the first professional studio in Toronto that teaches Korean traditional dance since we moved to this current location in September 2019. Our dedication is to train many talented dancers working with the best professionals.

Navillera Korean Performing Arts Development (NKPAD)

Recent History

July 28, 2023

TIFF reception performance at TIFF Bell Lightbox

July 22, 2023

Fort Henry Tattoo at 1 Fort Henry Dr Kingston

June 17, 2023

Hong Fook Gala at Hilton Garden Inn, Markham

June 3, 2023

Sarangbang Project 2023; In-yeon(인연) at Alumnae Theatre Company

January 17 - 19, 2023

Workshop "Korean Culture Week" at Laurier University

June, 2022

TVO Kids "Backyard Beats - Sogo"
Choreography, Cultural Consultant, Performance

May 14 - 15, 2022

Sarangbang Project 2022; Breathe(숨) Presented  by TKDC
at 57 Glen Cameron Road, Markham

May 19, 2022

Sogo Chum workshop at St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School in Oakvill

April 24 - 29, 2022

Workshop for "Cross Sea" theater team in Montreal

Heerin Kim

Founder & Director

Hee Rin Kim has been danced more than 35 years since she was 10 years old. She was born in Seoul and grew up until she came to Canada after her marriage. In Korea, she graduated from Sungeui Women University with a Korean dance degree then moved onto Yejun Dance Company to perform and train students at Jungkyung Dance Ecole located in Daechi-dong in Seoul. After she moved to Canada, she’s been a member of KDSSC for 16 years since 2000 and has experienced various performances and choreographies. After all, she established Navillera Korean Performing Arts Development (NKPAD) in 2018.

Recent History

January 17 - 19, 2022

Workshop "Korea Culture Week" at Laurier University

June, 2022

TVO Kids "Backyard Beats - Sogo" - Choreography / Cultural Consultant / Performance

May 14 - 15, 2022

Artistic Director / Choreography / Performance for "Sarang Bang project ; Breathe" in NKPAD

May 19, 2022

Workshops for Sogo Chum at St. Andrew Catholic Elemeltary School in Oakvill

April 24 - 29, 2022

workshops for "Cross Sea theater team"  in Montreal

  • Choi Jong-Sil style Sogo-Chum, Jainchug, Lee Mae-Bang style Salpuri trained with Man Jin-Soo, Mentor
  • Kim Sook-Ja style Dosalpuri trained with Lee Jung-Hee, The Chief Successor of Its Style
  • Korean-Canadian dance form directed by Mi Young Kim
  • Arts diploma in Korean traditional dance
  • Ballet/Modern dance as 2nd major
  • Formal training in the very mainstream of Korean traditional dances
    - Salpuri and Taepyungmu in Han Young-Sook style
    - Jindobukchum in Park Byung-Chun style
  • Classical ballet
  • Modern dance
  • Korean traditional dance
  • Running professional development, Community dance programs
  • Developing the project of combining Salpurichum (a Korean traditional dance) and Surya Namaskar (Yoga, Sun salutation)
  • Teaching adults and youths classes Korean traditional/modern dances and creative work
  • Showcasing students group in various community festivals and gatherings such as Korean thanksgiving festivals in Mel-Lastman Square
  • Choreographies for Mi Young Kim dance company:
    - 2011: Journey
    - 2010: In a beauty
    - 2006: Gong-Mu-Do-Ha-Ga
  • Choregraphies for solo pieces
    - 2005: Farewell
  • Actively engaged in Korean-Canadian cultural scene as one of the leading professionals
  • Performed as a part of Dance Weekend hosted by Dance Ontario, Sooryu Dance Festival and Mi Young Kim Dance
  • Company’s presentations in various community celebrations
  • Venues: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Fleck Dance Theatre (Premier Dance Theatre), Betty Oliphant Theatre, Richmond
  • Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Harbourfront Centre, etc.
  • Taught Professional Developmemt programs
  • $9,700 – travelled to Korea and trained with Mun Jin-Soo inherited Lee Mae-Bang style Salpuri, Sogo Dance, Jaeinchung
  • $6,500 – travelled to Korea and trained with Lee Jung-Hee, the chief successor of Dosalpuri in Kim Sook-Ja Style
  • Best prize
  • Grand Prize, Salpuri in Han Young-Sook Style
  • Grand Prize, Short Salpuri in Han Young-Sook Style
  • Gold Medal, Janggochum
  • Creative Group Work with musician Young Jik Kim
  • Creative Solo Work
  • 8th Sooryu Dance Festival
  • Korean dance performances and costume show
  • Co-work with Mi Young Kim Dance Company and Artcal Ryu Art Company from Korea
  • Featuring the dynamics of both Korean traditional and contemporary dances along with martial arts
  • Part of 60 Years’ Rhythm and Movements celebrating Mi Young Kim’s 60’s anniversary of dance life
  • Worked with Peter Chin and co-created with Gui Rhan Choi
  • An event celebrating the friendship between Korea and Canada
  • with Mi Young Kim Dance Company
  • 6th Sooryu Dance Festival
  • 4th Sooryu Dance Festival
  • 3th Sooryu Dance Festival
  • 2th Sooryu Dance Festival
  • 1th Sooryu Dance Festival
  • A multicultural dance event that served as a model of Sooryu Dance Festival
  • Part of the celebration of Mi Young Kim’s 50th anniversary of dance life

Jihyun Back

Dance Artist | Instructor

It all started when I was ten years old. My teacher taught me Sogochum for the first time and found that I was talented in dancing. Since then, after-school dance class was open for me, and I was able to keep practicing. At twelve years old, my passion for dance also brought me the opportunity of getting the audition called 'The Little Angels'. They were looking for youth members of the dance team through the audition. While I participated in many performances worldwide at 'The Little Angels', I noticed that being an ambassador of beautiful Korean dance and culture abroad is more meaningful and valued. That resulted in me moving to Canada in March 2020 to pursue my dream. Currently, I'm working at Navillera to work on my vision.

Recent History

January 17 - 19, 2022

Workshop "Korea Culture Week" at Laurier University

June, 2022

TVO Kids "Backyard Beats - Sogo" - Choreography / Cultural Consultant / Performance

May 14 - 15, 2022

Choreography / Performance for "Sarang Bang project ; Breathe" in TKDC

May 19, 2022

Workshops for Sogo Chum at St. Andrew Catholic Elemeltary School in Oakvill

April 24 - 29, 2022

workshops for "Cross Sea theater team"  in Montreal

  • Arts diploma in Korean traditional dance
  • High-school diploma in Korean traditional dance
  • Trained Korean traditional dance
  • Over 100 international/domestic performances
  • Little Angels dance team
  • Yongin University student
  • Seoul Christian University student
  • Sunhwa Art High School student
  • Teaching kids’ classes Korean traditional/modern dances and creative works
  • Teaching youth classes Korean traditional/modern dances and creative works

NKPAD Members

Elly Ha

Since 2017

I have been a member of Navillera since 2017 and have made lifetime memories with this dance team. Craving creativity and uniqueness through Korean Heritage; Navillera is a gratifying experience. I thoroughly enjoy the performances that we showcase throughout the year. Celebrating Korean culture as a performer has grown my confidence and ability as a cultural ambassador. It is my dream to pursue Korean dance full-time. I am proud to say that I have learned immensely and inspired to keep striving. I want nothing less for myself as I venture further into this arts community.

Lucy Lee

Since 2020

Lucy Lee has danced at Navillera studio since 2020. She's had an enormous passion for dance since she was young and practiced in various forms. She experienced Hip-hop, Korean traditional dance and ballet before she joined Navillera studio and felt grateful for finding this to pursue her passion in the future.
She aspires to dance with other dancers at Navillera – the company preserves Korean art & culture and promotes Korean traditional dance abroad. She wishes to be part of the footprint where Navillera is heading and become a great performer as she practices.

Yewon Park

Since 2021

Yewon Park has joined Navillera Dance in 2021. She has come from a background of training in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop. When she discovered her new passion for Korean traditional dance in Navillera, she got thrilled to thrive as a performer and now wishes to become an ambassador to share the true beauty and uniqueness of Korean dance that is deeply rooted in Korean culture and legacy. She feels blessed to be part of Navillera and looks forward to mastering the artistry and sharing her appreciation of dance with others.

Jane Lee

Since 2021

I discovered my passion for dance when I was thirteen years old. My dance teacher recognized my talent early on, pushing me to pursue the art form professionally. With her motivation, I majored in ballet at Kyunghee University in Seoul while also working as a ballet instructor. Although I retired from ballet after immigrating to Canada, I rekindled my passion for dance after joining Navillera in 2019. Despite my roots being in ballet, I incorporate its softness and delicacy into Korean traditional dance creating a flow in movements which is very familiar to me. I am grateful to Navillera for introducing Korean traditional dance to me as I am always learning under the guidance of someone as passionate about dance as I am.

Ayoung Na

Since 2022

Ayoung Na became a member of NKPAD in 2022. As a dance major in Claude Watson art school, she got trained in different dance styles including ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. After she finished her university degree she had a chance to watch Korean dance performance and fell in love with the beauty and depth of traditional Korean dance. She joined DKSSC in 2012 and was actively involved in various dance performances and was given valuable experience to learn different Korean dance coreographies from renowned artists from Korea. She is absolutely thrilled to become a memeber of NKPAD which is group of talented and passionate dancers. She look forward to learn Korean dance in more depth through this opportunity.

Dance with us

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