| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Martha Graham |
| Born | May 11, 1894 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Died | April 1, 1991 in New York City, USA |
| Occupation | Dancer, Choreographer |
| Known for | Developing modern dance as a new form of expression |
| Famous works | “Lamentation,” “Appalachian Spring,” “Night Journey,” “Cave of the Heart” |
| Training | Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts |
| Company | Martha Graham Dance Company |
| Awards and Honors | Kennedy Center Honors, Presidential Medal of Freedom, National Medal of Arts |
| Legacy | Considered one of the most influential figures in modern dance history |
Martha Graham was an American modern dance pioneer, choreographer, and founder of the Martha Graham Dance Company. She is widely considered one of the greatest dancers and choreographers of the 20th century, and her work revolutionized the world of modern dance.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1894, Graham’s family moved to California when she was a child. It was in California that she first became interested in dance, and she began studying ballet and other dance styles at a young age.
After a few years of training, Graham moved to New York City to study at the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts. There, she studied with some of the most influential dance teachers of the time, including Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. It was during this time that Graham began to develop her own unique style of dance, which combined elements of classical ballet with modern movement and expression.
In 1926, Graham founded the Martha Graham Dance Company, which quickly became one of the most important and influential dance companies in the world. Over the next several decades, she continued to create groundbreaking works that pushed the boundaries of modern dance and inspired generations of dancers and choreographers.
Despite her enormous influence and success in the world of dance, Martha Graham did not accumulate significant wealth during her lifetime. In fact, she struggled financially for much of her career, often relying on the support of friends and patrons to fund her work.
However, Graham’s legacy and impact on the world of dance are immeasurable. Her contributions to modern dance have been recognized with countless awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received in 1976. She continued to choreograph and teach until shortly before her death in 1991, at the age of 96.
In conclusion, Martha Graham was a trailblazing dancer and choreographer who revolutionized modern dance and left an indelible mark on the art form. While she did not accumulate significant wealth during her lifetime, her legacy and impact on the world of dance continue to be felt to this day.
Here is a timeline of the major events and accomplishments in Martha Graham’s life:
1894 – Martha Graham is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1911 – Graham’s family moves to Santa Barbara, California.
1916 – Graham begins studying dance in Los Angeles.
1923 – Graham moves to New York City to study at the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts.
1926 – Graham founds the Martha Graham Dance Company.
1930 – Graham choreographs “Lamentation,” one of her most famous works.
1948 – Graham choreographs “Appalachian Spring,” which wins the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
1957 – Graham receives the Dance Magazine Award for her contributions to dance.
1962 – Graham receives the Kennedy Center Honors.
1976 – Graham is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1991 – Martha Graham dies at the age of 96 in New York City.
This timeline highlights some of the major milestones in Graham’s life and career, from her early training in California to the founding of her dance company and the numerous awards and honors she received throughout her life.
Here are 5 interesting facts about Martha Graham, the legendary American dancer and choreographer, and 5 of her famous quotes:
5 Interesting Facts about Martha Graham:
- Martha Graham was born on May 11, 1894, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a strict Presbyterian household.
- She is credited with creating a new form of dance called “contemporary dance,” which emphasized the expression of emotion and inner feelings.
- She founded the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1926, which became one of the most influential dance companies in the world.
- Graham was a prolific choreographer, creating over 180 works during her career, including the famous “Appalachian Spring” and “Night Journey.”
- She was the first dancer ever to perform at the White House, in 1937, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
5 Famous Quotes by Martha Graham:
- “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
- “The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor.”
- “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”
- “Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul’s weather.”
- “The creative process is not controlled by a switch you can simply turn on or off; it’s with you all the time.”
