Biography for kids

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

She was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and moved to California as a child.

After seeing Ruth St. Denis perform in the s, she took an interest in dance. Not until age 22 () did she pursue her interest professionally by enrolling in the Denishawn. In , 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.

Martha graham autobiography for kids pdf Martha Graham (May 11, – April 1, ) was an American modern dancer and choreographer. Her style, the Graham technique, reshaped American dance and is still taught worldwide. Graham danced and taught for over seventy years.

In 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.

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

Martha graham autobiography for kids As a dancer and choreographer (creator of dances), Martha Graham had a powerful influence on modern dance. She rejected traditional graceful styles of dancing and used forceful movements that expressed strong emotions.

Graham's dancing life gradually came to a rest starting in the s. In , 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 , Graham became the company's first director, groomed its first generation of dancers, and choreographed exclusive works for the Israeli group.

Her final dance performances came in the late s, and from then on she focused on choreography.

Martha graham autobiography for kids free

As a dancer and choreographer (creator of dances), Martha Graham had a powerful influence on modern dance. She rejected traditional graceful styles of dancing and used forceful movements that expressed strong emotions.

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

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

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

See also

External links

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