Proformance dancers

Artist: Martha Graham

Summary: One of the greatest dancers and choreographers to ever come out of the 20th century is Martha Graham. Born to a Presbyterian family in 1894, she was never encouraged to start a life in dance because at the time it was not a high form of art. She ended up being credited as one of the first modern dancers. Her career was a very successful one. She danced and choreographed for over seventy years. First dancer to perform at the White House, travel abroad as a cultural ambassador, and to receive the highest civilian award, the Medal of Freedom. One of her favorite quotes was, "Movement never lies."

Thoughts: I was only able to find the one video of Graham's choreographed dance. Each movement had a meaning, and the moves flowed together smoothly. She had a great understanding of other cultures dances, and you can see the influence in her work. Her use of outfits with the dance made it look very finished and polished into a fluid and interesting work.




Artist: Twyla Tharp

Summary: After Graham came artists that flourished in her ideas. Twyla Tharp studied after Graham and others sources like Merce Cunningham. She studied at Pomona College in California, and transferred to Barnard College in New York City. Although she went to school for art history she went to Paul Taylor Dance Company after graduating. Tharp is more known in the pop culture world, where she has received an Emmy and Tony and has preformed on Broadway and TV. She has created over 125 dances and choreographed Broadway shows, and five movies.

Thoughts: I didn't like her as much as Graham. The videos I watched of her dances and her dancing were not as well flowing as I prefer. It was more of a tribe/break dance feel. I personally like those types of dance, but not combined with modern dance. As for the way she danced, it didn't look that professional and well thought out.




Artist: Mark Morris

Summary: Brought up in a family that encouraged his talents, Mark Morris was given the right instructions from his parents to be able to read music and was introduced to dance and ballet. He started his career preforming with people like Lar Lubovitch, Hannah Kahn, Laura Dean, and Eliot Feld. After establishing himself he made Mark Morris Dance Group. He has choreographic for many operas and ballets including "Gloria", "Championship Wrestling", L'Allegro, Il Penseroso, ed Il Moderate, The Hard Nut, The Office, Greek to Me, The Garden, and All Fours. His work has been praised for its craftsmanship, ingenuity, and humor.

Thoughts: The fact his choreography is more influenced by ballet is more appealing to me. He too seems to be following in Grahams foot steps with his work. He has the same fluid motion as her work did. Hes ideas are more about the piece as a whole, and having a balanced plot that seems to make it more enjoyable to watch.