Kim Dan-bi promoted to principal at Houston Ballet

Ballerina Kim Dan-bi / Captured from Instagram

Ballet dancer Kim Dan-bi, 26, was named a principal at the Houston Ballet, one of the United States' most prestigious dance companies, cementing Korea's reputation as a powerhouse of world-class ballet talent.

According to Korea Ballet Stars, Kim was recently promoted from first soloist to principal, the highest rank at the Houston Ballet. She is the second Korean dancer to reach that rank at the Houston Ballet, following Cho Soo-youn, who retired last year after being promoted to principal in 2018.

Kim dropped out of middle school and pursued her ballet training while homeschooling. After winning a junior gold medal at the 2015 International Dance Festival Tanzolymp in Berlin, and then an award from the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation at the 2016 Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, she entered the Houston Ballet Academy in Texas on a scholarship.

Joining the Houston Ballet upon graduation in 2019, she took on leading roles in productions, including “Swan Lake,” “Raymonda” and “The Little Mermaid,” rising rapidly through the ranks to claim the title of principal dancer seven years after joining the company.

Upon her promotion, Kim will return to Korea and perform at Doam Hall in central Seoul's Jongno District, in a gala presented by Korea Ballet Stars, on July 12. The program will also feature Yeom Da-yeon of the Boston Ballet and other dancers active around the world, presenting works drawn from various classical ballet repertoire.

Kim's promotion reflects a broader surge in Korea's standing in the global ballet world. At the 2026 Prix de Lausanne, six Korean dancers reached the finals, led by Yeom's second-place finish — the largest number from any single country at the competition.