BIOGRAPHY

My name is Seungyeon Jessica Oh, an international student from South Korea. I am currently studying Dance and Business at the University of Rochester in New York, United States, and intend to graduate before May 2023. Before settling in Rochester, New York, I spent most of my childhood and teenage years away from my family in foreign countries such as Australia and Japan. The start of this global journey was full of fear and uncertainties. Language was perhaps the biggest barrier I’ve encountered during this journey. This barrier grew my insecurities that led me to feel sense of exclusion and isolation from the community. However, the only moments when I felt involved and active were during Dance classes. Dance allowed me to interact with the peers through non-verbal communication, the movement. I was fascinated by the way movement enlivens non-verbal communication in the community, especially in the communities with diverse cultural backgrounds. Also, I gradually gained sense of self autonomy through Dance by allowing the body to deliver the deepest personal experiences in the way I feel most confident and organic. This youthful journey not only gave me valuable experiences that allowed me to grow as an independent and confident individual, but it also led me to became explorative and authentic artist.