ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Two-Year Certificate Program (Two-Year) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, (NASD) the program is for students seeking a career in dance and provides rigorous studies at the pre-professional level. Coursework includes training in the Martha Graham Technique, ballet, contemporary, and cross training, as well as academic coursework in acting, anatomy, music, dance history, repertory, and composition. Students must commit to two consecutive years of full-time study, including participation in the Summer Intensive between Year 1 and Year 2 of the program. International students click here for information regarding the F-1 visa process and key deadlines.

Students enter the Two-Year Certificate Program at the beginning of the Fall (September) semester and are placed in technique classes appropriate to their level after careful evaluation by the Program Directors during orientation week. They receive formal midterm and final evaluations at the middle and end of each semester, respectively.

In addition to Graham Technique, all Two-Year students are required to enroll in the following classes:
  • Core Power: A cross training class designed to build strength and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Conditioning: A flexibility and mobility course dedicated to stretching, recovery, and overall well-being.
  • Performance Workshop: Designed to prepare students for performance Martha Graham and, occasional other modern dance repertory. Students learn 1-2 works or excerpts in preparation for presentation during the Fall and Spring Showcases.
  • Ballet: Training focuses on individual student abilities, and is structured to enhance and support the study of the Graham Technique.
  • Contemporary: Classes build upon Graham Technique and encourage dancers to explore the connections between this classic approach and post-modern styles.
  • Graham Works: Dancers experience the innovative exercises that Graham developed in her early years and study the continuing change in the language she created. Graham films and phrases from repertory support study.

NOTE: Graham Technique level assignment serves as the guideline for placement in other technique classes.

Students are also required to enroll in the following academic courses:

  • Acting Seminar: Spring Semester – Year 1. Prepares dancers to act in any given situation on stage using their bodies and voices. The course introduces Stanislavsky’s technique for script analysis, “The Personal Work of an Actor on Himself,” and progresses to using emotions and imagination to create different situations on stage. Dance use “imaginary objects” to expand their focus while working on their crafts on stage.
  • Anatomy: Spring Semester – Year 1. The foundation of the course is an exploration of the basic anatomy (structure) and kinesiology (movement) of the dancer-athlete. Students learn the basic structure of musculoskeletal tissues (bone, muscle, cartilage, etc.), their functions and interdependence, and their various roles in power, strength, movement, and stability. The class then explores the major joints of the body; their movements and the muscles that cross them to design stretches for each muscle as well as exercises to strengthen them. Classes use lecture, palpation, movement, and a live model to access auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning methods.
  • Dance History: Fall Semester – Year 2. Focuses on the major themes in the life and work of Martha Graham using video and film, critical writings and reviews, and oral histories. Analysis is based upon close reading of movement and choreographic themes in the context of social and cultural developments.
  • Music I: Fall Semester – Year 2. Introduces dancers to the principles of rhythmic accompaniment and notation with an emphasis on the applications in Martha Graham Technique classes. Students learn the fundamentals of music theory, rhythm, accents, syncopation, and notation.
  • Music II: Spring Semester – Year 2. An in-depth look at the musical trends in 20th-century music through the lens of Martha Graham’s work with various composers. Students consider the socio-cultural context of different Graham masterworks while expanding the personal and professional backgrounds of the composers with whom she famously partnered.

Transfer credits may be accepted for Music I, Anatomy, and Acting upon review of a college/university or comparable post-secondary professional studio school transcript, which students submit as part of the registration procedure in August, prior to the start of the Year 1 Fall Semester.

WINTER INTENSIVE

The Martha Graham School Winter Intensive is a requirement for all full-time students enrolled in the Fall Semester. Two-Year students are required to take three weeks of Martha Graham Technique during the Intensive.

Additionally, Two-Year students are required to take Repertory and Composition in the Year 1 Winter Intensive, and Repertory in Year 2 Winter Intensive:

  • Beginner/Intermediate or Advanced Repertory: Dedicated to the study of Graham’s classic choreography, the course offers students a deeper understanding of Graham’s expressive style as well as practice in valuable performance techniques.
  • Beginner/Intermediate or Advanced Composition: This exploration of dance-making guides students in creating movement phrases, discovering their own artistic voice, and developing a personal ‘toolbox’ of choreographic techniques.

Students may additionally elect into the following courses (click here for tuition and fees):

  • Intermediate or Advanced Ballet: Training focuses on individual student abilities, and classes are structured to enhance and support the study of the Martha Graham Technique.
  • Intermediate or Advanced Contemporary: Classes build upon Graham Technique and encourage dancers to explore the connections between this classic approach and post-modern styles.

SUMMER INTENSIVE

All Two-Year students are required to attend the Martha Graham School Summer Intensive in between their first and second year. The Intensive traditionally takes place for six weeks, generally from the end of June to the beginning of August, and is divided into two three-week sessions. For full scheduling and tuition information, click here.

Course requirements are as follows:

  • Session #1:
    • Martha Graham Technique
    • Repertory
    • Composition
  • Session #2
    • Martha Graham Technique
    • Repertory
    • Composition

OUTLINE OF REQUIRED ACADEMIC COURSES

The following table outlines the required academic courses in sequence for the Two-Year Certificate Program:

YEAR 1 Fall Semester Spring Semester
Winter Intensive – Repertory
Winter Intensive – Composition		 Acting Seminar
Anatomy
SUMMER INTENSIVE Session #1 Session #2
Repertory
Composition		 Repertory
Composition
YEAR 2 Fall Semester Spring Semester
Dance History
Music I
Winter Intensive – Repertory		 Music II

Transfer credits may be accepted for Summer Intensive Session #2 Composition upon review of a college/university or comparable post-secondary professional studio school transcript, which students submit as part of the registration procedure in August, prior to the start of the Year 1 Fall Semester, indicating at least three semesters of Composition or equivalent studies.

HOW TO APPLY

All prospective Two-Year students are required to submit an online application and either an online audition or attend in-person auditions in June.

To apply, visit Admissions and Auditions and complete “Step 1: Application”. Applicants are required to submit the following:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Dance résumé
  • Headshot
  • Recent photograph of applicant in first arabesque on leg of choice (en relevé or flat). Applicants must include sign in photo reading “Martha Graham School Application” and the date.
  • 500-word personal statement explaining desire to study at the Martha Graham School
  • One letter of recommendation

Materials should be submitted via email to schoolauditions@marthagraham.org. A $50 Applicant Fee is required of all applicants.

After “Step 1: Application”, proceed to “Step 2: Audition”. Two-Year applicants may elect to submit an online audition or register to attend the annual Program Auditions held in June.

Once “Step 1: Application” and “Step 2: Audition” are finalized, the Two-Year Certificate Program application procedure is complete. Decisions are made on rolling admissions from January – July; prospective students are notified within two weeks of receipt of completed application.

TUITION AND AID

For information regarding program tuition and financial aid, click here.

PHOTOS: Aoi Sato, Tomislav Nevistić and Misha Culver by Melissa Sherwood; Elisa Soyer-Chaudun and Marnie Wood by Elisabeth Ajtay; Mia Séroc by Melissa Sherwood; Madeleine Burnett by Elisabeth Ajta