Jong-Hoon (Jay) Kim is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Utah, as well as a ballet researcher, choreographer, and educator. His work focuses on original choreography, restaging classical ballets, and analyzing the biomechanics of ballet movements. He holds a BA from Sejong University and an MFA from the University of Utah and trained on full scholarship at the Kirov Academy of Ballet. As a former dancer with Universal Ballet Company, Korean National Ballet, and Dayton Ballet Theatre, he has won multiple gold medals in international competitions. His choreography for Carmen was recognized as one of POINTE magazine’s "Standout Performances of 2023," and his new ballet is set to premiere in Korea in 2025. He has also collaborated with the University of Utah’s School of Music to create and premiere original ballets in major theaters and online platforms worldwide. His research focuses on reinterpreting Marius Petipa’s classical masterpieces for contemporary audiences, guided by former Mariinsky Ballet Artistic Director Oleg Vinogradov. By integrating cultural diversity and emotional depth, his work expands the artistic boundaries of ballet, while his commitment to international ballet education and collaboration continues to shape the field.