Martha Graham School

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be at least 18 years old at time of enrollment
  • Intermediate Graham Technique™ (Graham II or higher)
  • Intermediate Ballet Technique
  • Application and Audition

  • Graduate of Graham School Two-Year Certificate Program and/or University Degree with a notable dance program or Dance Conservatory Degree or Certificate
  • Advanced Graham Technique™ (Graham III or higher, per discretion of Program Director)
  • Intermediate Ballet Technique
  • Application and Audition

  • Basic to intermediate Ballet Technique
  • Application required
  • No audition required

  • University Degree with a notable dance program or Dance Conservatory Degree or Certificate
  • Advanced Graham Technique™ (Graham III or higher, per discretion of Program Director)
  • Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Technique
  • Application and Audition

FALL 2026 SEMESTER DEADLINES

Application Deadline is May 1, 2026 for Fall 2026 entry. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance no later than June 1, 2026.

Full Time Program Auditions:

March 14, 2026
10am-1pm (in person)
2pm-4pm (virtual)
Applications for March auditions must be submitted by March 10, 2026.

June 20, 2026, 2pm-4pm (in person)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete this Application Form, which will include:

  • $50 Application Fee
  • Dance résumé
  • Headshot
  • Photograph of applicant in first arabesque on leg of choice (en relevé or flat). Applicants must also include sign in photo reading “Martha Graham School Application” and the date.
  • 500-word personal statement explaining your desire to study at the Martha Graham School
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Select your audition date:
    • March 14 (in person) 10am-1pm
    • March 14 (virtual) 2pm-4pm
    • June 20 (in person) 2pm-4pm
  • Select your program
    • If you select Independent Program or Two-Year Certificate, there are no addition requirements.
    • Teacher Training Program applicants must provide a maximum 500-word Teaching Philosophy Statement.
    • Other additional requirements are below:
APPLY NOW

STEP 2: ONLINE AUDITION

Online auditions should include three video recordings.

Recordings may be filmed from any well-lit space, including the applicant’s home, provided the dancer is fully in frame. Please wear a colored unitard, leotard and tights, or other form-fitting attire.

1. Martha Graham Technique™ Floor Work Demonstration

Prepare a short technical demonstration of Graham’s floor work. The short demonstration should not exceed 6 minutes in length and must include:

  • Exercise
  • Breathing (Profile)
  • 3’s + 6’s with Opening of the leg variation (Facing Downstage Right)
  • Deep Stretches (Facing Front)
  • Turns around the back (4th position) (Facing Front)
2. Martha Graham Technique™ Program Combination

Prepare a clear video of the appropriate program combination.

3. 60-90 second solo in a genre of your choice

Each solo should be 60-90 seconds (music will be cut off at 90 seconds) and highlight your strengths and abilities as a dancer.

Videos must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and sent to schoolauditions@marthagraham.org.

If you set your videos as “private”, you must send us the password(s) for viewing.

Two-Year Program
Advanced Studies Certificate & Teacher Training Program

INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY APPLICANTS ONLY

In addition to the program application requirements above, all students interested in ASC: Individualized Study must submit the following:

Video excerpts of the applicant in live performance. Samples must be between 2:30 – 3minutes in length and may be from solos, duet/trios, or groups. Applicants must indicate their placement in the excerpt.

ASC COMPOSITION APPLICANTS ONLY

In addition to the program application requirements above, all students interested in ASC: Composition must submit the following:

Two samples of your choreography. Each excerpt must be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 6 minutes in length. You may submit solos, duet/trios, and/or group works that best represent your choreographic style and approach.

Photos of Martha Graham School dancers by Melissa Sherwood.