At 90, Mary Jo Freshley celebrates 75 years of Korean dance in Hawaii

Mary Jo Freshley, now 90, has spent decades teaching and performing Korean dance in Hawaii. Her recent concert marked the 75th anniversary of the Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio, showcasing her lifelong dedication to the art. The event featured dancers ranging from their 60s to their 80s, proving her belief that age is no barrier to movement and joy.

Freshley's journey with Korean dance began in 1962 when she first saw Halla Huhm perform at the University of Hawaii's Orvis Auditorium. Inspired, she later started assisting at the studio in the early 1970s before officially taking on a teaching role in 1976. Since then, she has led classes weekly at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and five days a week at the Halla Huhm studio.

Over the years, Freshley has travelled to Korea to study under master dancers, bringing those lessons back to her students. Her commitment has earned her a place in a tight-knit community where dancers see her as family. Joomi Lee, a longtime student and friend, describes her as both a life mentor and a maternal figure.

The anniversary concert on September 6 highlighted Freshley's ongoing mission to share Korean dance. Performing alongside her students, she demonstrated that passion and skill transcend age. The studio remains a unique institution in Hawaii, with no other notable traditional Korean dance schools currently identified in public records.

Freshley's work ensures that Korean dance continues to thrive in Hawaii. Her teaching and performances preserve a cultural tradition while fostering connections across generations. The 75th-anniversary concert stands as a testament to her enduring influence and the studio's legacy.