Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre names new director

Dancing since she was 4, Stocki-Kim says she knew at age 12 what her profession would be.

"I was determined to have a career in ballet," she says.

And, after 14 years performing around the world with the Universal Ballet Company of Seoul (South Korea), Tulsa (Okla.) Ballet Theatre and the Dayton (Ohio) Ballet Theatre, Stocki-Kim has arrived in Las Vegas.

Stocki-Kim, who most recently was the executive director of the Metropolitan Ballet Academy and Theatre in Novi, Mich., learned of the academy’s position through an advertisement and decided to apply hoping "to move to a warm environment."

Stocki-Kim says she is "very excited" about her position and living in Nevada.

"I really am enjoying it," she says.

Stocki-Kim says she sees "so much potential" at the academy, which has an enrollment of about 500 students from ages 18 months to 18 years, and offers classes in other dance mediums in addition to ballet.

"The facility is phenomenal," says Stocki-Kim, who adds that the academy’s proximity to the Nevada Ballet Theatre is an "ideal scenario."

Stocki-Kim already is working on a plan to develop the youth ballet, which she says is "really devoted and organized during the ‘Nutcracker’ theater season." Stocki-Kim’s goal is to have the youth ballet continue that work and be ready to perform programs "on short notice."

In addition to acting as the academy’s director, Stocki-Kim plans on teaching classes with advanced students at the academy.

Stocki-Kim says she enjoys teaching advanced students who have a "drive and passion for the ballet," and working with them on their "polishing and artistry."

Stocki-Kim believes she will be able to establish a personal relationship with the students by sharing her own experiences as a professional soloist with them.

As a member of the Universal Ballet Company of Seoul, Stocki-Kim toured "extensively" in Europe and other continents. Traveling, says Stock-Kim, is "one of the perks of the ballet."

While she was with the company, Stocki-Kim met her husband, Jay Kim (in Korean Jong Hoon), who also was a soloist with the ballet troupe.

Both are happy to be in Las Vegas, Stocki-Kim says.

"We see ourselves retiring here," she says.

Until then, Stocki-Kim will be busy as the academy prepares two casts of students for the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s production of "Peter Pan" May 11-13, with the academy’s annual concert scheduled to follow in June.

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