Martha Graham American dancer, teacher and choreographer Date of Birth: 22.05.1894 Country: USA

Biography of Martha Graham

Martha Graham was an American dancer, teacher, and choreographer, known for her contributions to modern dance. She was born on May 22, 1894 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the age of 22, she joined the Denishawn School of Dance in Los Angeles, which was founded by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn.

In 1920, Graham made her debut as a member of the Denishawn company in a performance inspired by Aztec motifs called "Xochitl". After performing in Broadway shows and teaching at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, she founded the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York City in 1930.

Graham gained international recognition for her choreography of Igor Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" in 1930, for which she collaborated with choreographer Leonid Massine and conductor Leopold Stokowski. She was the first dancer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1932.

Many of Graham's works explored deep and timeless themes, often focusing on the tragic experiences of women. Examples include "Cave of the Heart" (1946), which depicted the vengeful Medea, and "Night Journey" (1947), which portrayed the tragic fate of Jocasta, mother of Oedipus. She also created works inspired by American pioneers, such as "Appalachian Spring" (1944), and celebrated the art of dance itself in "Acrobats of God" (1960).

Throughout her career, Graham's dance company toured extensively and gained international acclaim. The Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance in New York City became the permanent home of the company and school. Graham's ideas and artistic vision were further showcased in the 1957 film "A Dancer's World" and her book "The Notebooks of Martha Graham" (1973).

Martha Graham was honored with numerous awards, including the Legion of Honor in 1984. She passed away on April 1, 1991 in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in modern dance.