월드컵 응원, 춤으로 외치다. 대한민국

아이들이 무용을 배우는 이유는단순히 춤을 잘 추기위해서만은 아니다. 무용을 통해함께 협력하는 방법을 배우고, 자신이 가진 재능으로지역사회를 위해 봉사하는 기쁨도경험하게 된다. 특히 커뮤니티행사에 참여하는 과정은 책임감과배려심, 그리고 공동체 의식을키워주는 살아있는 교육이 된다.

한미무용연합 진발레스쿨은 지난 24년 동안448회의 커뮤니티 봉사 공연을이어오고 있다. 무용은 무대위에서 박수를 받는 예술이기도하지만, 지역사회와 함께 기쁨을나누는 봉사의 도구이기도 하다. 아이들은 공연을 통해자신의 재능을 나누고, 그 과정에서 더 큰세상을 배우게 된다.

지난 목요일, LA 코리아타운은 월드컵열기로 가득했다. 한국과 체코의경기가 저녁 7시에 예정되어있었지만, 진발레스쿨 단원들은 오후 1시부터 모여 마지막연습과 리허설, 의상 준비를하며 분주한 시간을 보냈다. 오후 4시30분 첫 번째 공연, 오후 6시10분 두 번째 공연이이어졌다.

첫 번째 공연은10분, 두 번째공연은 5분. 모두 합쳐도 15분 남짓한 짧은무대였다. 그러나 그 짧은순간을 위해 아이들은 몇시간을 준비하고 기다려야 했다.

무대는 짧고 기다림은 길다. 하지만 기다림은 결코낭비되는 시간이 아니다. 아이들은 기다림 속에서 인내를배우고, 친구들을 배려하는 마음을배우며, 자신에게 맡겨진 역할에책임을 다하는 법을 배운다. 어쩌면 무용은 춤을가르치는 예술이 아니라 삶을가르치는 예술인지도 모른다.

이날 무대에는 어린이부터 시니어까지약40명의 단원들이함께했다. 붉은 의상을 입고태극기를 흔들며 대한민국을 외치는모습에 많은 관객들이 발걸음을멈추고 박수를 보냈다. 뜨거운 햇볕 아래 이어진공연과 응원은 모두가 함께만들어 가는 축제였다.

그리고 마침내 한국이2대 1 승리를 거두는순간, 코리아타운은 거대한환호성으로 가득 찼다. 하루 종일 이어진 준비와리허설, 긴 기다림과 더위는모두 잊혀졌다. 승리의 기쁨도컸지만, 더 큰 감동은서로를 응원하며 하나가 된공동체의 모습이었다. 행사가 끝난뒤에도 단원들은 한인회와 함께주변 정리를 도우며 마지막까지봉사의 손길을 보탰다. 집에 돌아오니 밤10시 30분. 얼굴은 햇볕에 붉게 그을렸지만마음만은 어느 때보다 행복하고뿌듯했다.

이번 월드컵 응원전은 단순한공연이 아니었다. 아이들에게는 봉사의의미를 배우고, 기다림의 가치를배우며, 함께 할때 더큰 기쁨을 만들 수있다는 것을 깨닫는 시간이었다. 짧은 무대였지만 그과정 속에서 아이들은 또한 번 성장하고 있었다.

이제 우리는 앞으로 있을 2차전과 3차전 응원공연도 기대하고 있다. 다시 한번 무대에 올라대한민국을 외치며 선수들에게 힘을보낼 예정이다. 우리 대표팀이 16강을 넘어8강, 4강, 그리고 최고의 성적을 향해힘차게 나아가기를 온 마음으로응원한다.

지난 24년 동안그래왔듯이 한미무용연합 진발레스쿨은앞으로도 춤을 통해 지역사회와함께할 것이다. 아이들은 무용을통해 아름다운 동작을 배우고, 봉사를 통해 아름다운마음을 배우며, 기다림을 통해더욱 단단하게 성장한다. 그리고 그 성장의 힘이우리 커뮤니티를 더욱 따뜻하고건강하게 만들어 갈 것이다.

• www.koadance.org
• www.balletjean.com
• 한미무용연합진발레스쿨
• 3727 West. 6th Street #607. LA CA 90020
• Tel: 323-428-4429

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#KOADanceFederation #JeanBalletSchool #JeansDanceStory #WorldCupCheerDance #TeamKoreaSupporters #DanceAcrossGenerations

Cheering for the World Cup Through Dance: 대한민국!

Children do not learn dance simply to become good dancers. Through dance, they learn how to work together, and they experience the joy of serving their community through their talents. Participating in community events teaches responsibility, consideration for others, and a strong sense of belonging. It is education that comes alive through experience.

For the past 24 years, the KOA Dance Federation and Jean Ballet School have presented 448 community service performances. Dance is not only an art form that receives applause on stage; it is also a way to share joy with the community. Through performances, children learn to share their talents and discover a larger world beyond themselves.

Last Thursday, Los Angeles Koreatown was filled with World Cup excitement. Although the match between Korea and the Czech Republic was scheduled for 7:00 p.m., the dancers of Jean Ballet School gathered at 1:00 p.m. for final rehearsals, costume preparations, and stage practice. Their first performance took place at 4:30 p.m., followed by a second performance at 6:10 p.m.

The first performance lasted 10 minutes, and the second lasted 5 minutes. Altogether, the stage time was only about 15 minutes. Yet for those brief moments, the children spent hours preparing and waiting.

The stage is short, but the waiting is long. However, waiting is never wasted time. In those moments, children learn patience, consideration for their friends, and responsibility for the roles entrusted to them. Perhaps dance is not merely an art that teaches movement—it is an art that teaches life itself.

Approximately 40 performers, from young children to senior dancers, participated in the event. Dressed in red and waving Korean flags, they proudly cheered for Korea. Many spectators stopped to watch and applauded enthusiastically. Under the warm California sun, the performances and cheers became a celebration created by the entire community.

When Korea finally secured a 2–1 victory, Koreatown erupted in cheers. The long hours of preparation, rehearsals, waiting, and summer heat instantly faded away. The joy of victory was great, but an even greater inspiration came from seeing the community united in support of one another. After the event, the dancers joined members of the Korean American community in helping clean up the area, continuing their spirit of service until the very end. By the time everyone returned home, it was already 10:30 p.m. Their faces were sunburned, but their hearts were filled with happiness and pride.

This World Cup cheering event was much more than a performance. It was an opportunity for children to learn the meaning of service, the value of patience, and the joy that comes from working together toward a common goal. Though the performance itself was brief, the lessons and growth it inspired were lasting.

We are already looking forward to the second and third World Cup matches. Once again, we will take the stage, cheer for Korea, and send our encouragement to the players. We sincerely hope that our national team will advance beyond the Round of 16, reach the quarterfinals and semifinals, and achieve its greatest success.

As we have done for the past 24 years, the KOA Dance Federation and Jean Ballet School will continue serving the community through dance. Through dance, children learn beautiful movements; through service, they learn beautiful hearts; and through waiting, they grow stronger and more resilient. That growth, in turn, helps build a warmer, healthier, and more united community for all.

Jean Choi
Director, Jean Ballet School
President, KOA Dance Federation
“Jean Choi’s Dance Story” Columnist