Since 1972, Finis Jhung has been a mainstay of the New York dance scene. He is a source of enlightenment for dancers of American Ballet Theatre, The New York City Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet; star gypsies of Broadway; dancers from The Ailey, Taylor, and Cunningham Companies; aspiring professionals the world over; and amateur beginners.
From 1982 - 86, Finis was Founder, Artistic Director, and Choreographer for Chamber Ballet USA. In 1988, Finis joined the staff of The Broadway Dance Center. He has also taught at Marymount Manhattan College, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, The Bartholin International Ballet Seminar in Copenhagen, and at festivals and workshops around the U.S.A. Currently, he teaches at STEPS in New York City.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1937 of Korean-Scottish-English parentage, Finis graduated with high honors from The University of Utah in 1959, where he studied with William F. Christensen. After a six-month tour of duty with the National Guard, Finis joined the Broadway cast of Flower Drum Song. He toured with the National Company and then joined the San Francisco Ballet Company, where he became a soloist. During that time, Finis went to Hollywood and danced in the film version of Flower Drum Song. In 1962 Finis joined The Joffrey Ballet and toured Portugal, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, India, and countless U.S. cities. In 1964 Finis joined The Harkness Ballet of New York, where he became a principal dancer and toured France, Italy, Rumania, Greece, Germany, North Africa, and more of the U.S.. Critics everywhere acclaimed his technical brilliance and elegant stage presence.
Finis has been written about in numerous national publications and most recently was featured as a "ballet virtuoso" on Lifetime TV. His life-long love of theater and dance has led him to reevaluate ballet teaching. He has developed uniquely innovative methods that make studying ballet easier to understand and more enjoyable for both teachers and students. His numerous instructional videos and music CD's are enjoying worldwide use and his Weekend Teacher Workshops are well-attended annual events in New York City, California, Ohio, and Florida.
Class Description
As a teacher since 1972 of many of New York's leading artists of ballet, the concert stage, and Broadway, Finis Jhung
brings to his class his own specially developed, time-tested, and stage-proven methods. His barre will expand your
range of movement by slowly and methodically stretching and strengthening your entire body. Each exercise is designed
to develop correct posture, placement, alignment, technical execution, musicality, and artistry. This is a barre that will
get you on your leg, and prepare you to move with speed and power.
The center exercises further develop your dancing skills. Finis firmly believes that if we can go to the moon and back,
you can learn to balance, turn, and jump. There are no mysteries; all you need is to "do the right thing." Finis will
help you discover your true potential, overcome technical and artistic difficulties, and enable you to dance with confidence
and ease. Most of all, this is a class that will renew, refresh, and invigorate ‹ you'll feel good!
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