Image: Lester Arias

My name is Jija Sohn, I am a Japanese with Korean roots. I obtained a master in Applied Linguistics at Purdue University, USA before deciding to change direction and focus on Performance Art. 

In 2015, I graduated from the School of New Dance Development (SNDO) in Amsterdam and I was the first choreographer to be selected for the Moving Forward project.

https://www.dansmakers.nl/news/moving_forward_traject_gaat_naar_jija_sohn fbclid=IwAR0aCYyfm9JFcuBCZVUwPfLMJq7P_nCwFGbJ-m0bKuL1NSFnNoIXKfAu3mE

During this process, I developed the production Geisha’s Miracle (2016), a layered exploration of femininity and play with tradition that embraces the modern age with complete commitment.

In 2017 I was awarded by Young Fund Amsterdam.

 https://www.youngartsupportamsterdam.nl/kunstenaars-2017/kunstenaars-2017-3/

In 2017 I was also awarded with the ‘3Package Deal’ (by AFK, Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst), which enabled me to work on my slightly autobiographical new piece named Kyabajo.

https://www.amsterdamsfondsvoordekunst.nl/en/fondsinitiatieven/3package-deal/3package-deal-lichting-2017-2018/jija-sohn/?fbclid=IwAR3bndK0sAqaoNS5V4hi5dex3PAn1467MSmZQVdMxy5po1TyGGV_Bddah6w

In 2018 with Kyabajo I explored the condition of estrangement behind a submissive role from the perspective of a Japanese hostess.

In the period of 2017-2019 I am part of the international project named Performing Gender - Dance Makes differences.

http://www.performinggender.eu/?fbclid=IwAR3Fho1ijoFtVHjODJiB2k4ydIHL33ZHVjtcsvUfmUU1-0-WzgrX5naHk88

Since 2013 I have been collaborating in other people’s projects too, for example in the same year I have worked as a performer in Ivo Dimchev’s X-on, in 2015 for Fernando Belfiore’s DEU$/exM4CHIN4 and in 2018 for Dries Verhoeven’s Guilty Landscapes.

At the moment I work with Dans Brabant, which supports the current project together with performers Andrea Zavala and Lucy Wilke with the fund called PLAN - Talent Development PLAN Brabant

http://www.plan-brabant.nl.