Martha Graham

Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 – April 1, 1991), an American dancer and choreographer, is recognized as one of the foremost innovators in modern dance.

Related Topics:
May 11 - 1894 - April 1 - 1991 - American - Dancer - Choreographer - Modern dance

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She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to California as a child. After seeing Ruth St. Denis perform in the 1910s, she took an interest in dance. Not until age 22 (1916) did she pursue her interest professionally by enrolling in the Denishawn. In 1925, Graham became a dance instructor at the Eastman School of Music and Theater in Rochester, New York. She set out on her own, but with the constant support of Louis Horst, an accompanist whom she had got to know while training at Denishawn and who grew to be her lover and musical mentor. In 1926 Graham founded her own company, the Martha Graham Dance company. Her unique style of modern dance reflected the modern art of her time. Graham's performances made her famous for innovations in modern dance. The Martha Graham style is widely recognised for its trademarks contraction and release, the controlled falling to the floor, stag leaps and a developed imagery that goes with her movements.

Related Topics:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - California - Ruth St. Denis - 1910 - 1916 - Denishawn - 1925 - Eastman School of Music and Theater - Rochester - New York - Louis Horst - Modern art

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At Bennington College, in 1932, Graham founded the first-ever bachelor of arts degree in dance. In 1951 she created the dance division of the Juilliard School.

Related Topics:
Bennington College - Bachelor of arts degree in dance - Juilliard School

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In 1936 came Graham's defining work, that signalled the beginning of a new era in contemporary dance. "Steps in the Street" brought serious issues to the stage for the general public in a dramatic manner. Influenced by the Wall Street Crash, the Great Depression and the Spanish Civil War, the dance focussed on depression and isolation, reflected in the dark nature of both the set and costumes. This defined the new dance style, and set the standard for many choreographers to follow to this day.

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Graham's dancing life gradually came to a rest starting in the 1950s. In 1948, the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance was established. One of her students was heiress Bethsabée de Rothschild with whom she became close friends. When Rothschild moved to Israel and established the Batsheva Dance Company in 1965, Graham became the company's first director, groomed its first generation of dancers, and choreographed exclusive works for the Israeli group.

Related Topics:
1950s - 1948 - Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance - Bethsabée de Rothschild - Israel

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Her final dance performances came in the late 1960s, and from then on she focused on choreography. Some critics say that even though there is little physical record of her dances, they are more memorable than her choreographic work. Graham continued to work on the art up until her death in 1991 from natural causes at the age of 96.

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She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976 by President Gerald Ford (the First Lady Betty Ford had danced with Graham in her youth.)

Related Topics:
Presidential Medal of Freedom - 1976 - Gerald Ford - First Lady - Betty Ford

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In 1998, TIME magazine listed her as the "Dancer of the Century" and as one of the most important people of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
1998 - TIME - 20th century

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