ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Advanced Studies Certificate (ASC) is a two-year, full-time certificate program focusing on on-site training and real-world application. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, students declare a concentration in one of two key disciplines: Performance or Composition. Studies culminate in a thesis-equivalent portfolio of student work completed over the two-year period. Taking advantage of the Martha Graham School’s connections with the Martha Graham Dance Company, experienced faculty, and the New York City dance community, the ASC provides robust training for advanced dancers who have completed a Bachelor’s degree, a Martha Graham School certificate program, and/or an equivalent certificate program from an accredited professional studio school. International students click here for information regarding the F-1 visa process and key deadlines.

The program prepares students for entry into the dance field as professional performers or choreographers, and includes a minimum of eight dance classes per week, including Martha Graham Technique, Ballet, and related dance and conditioning disciplines. Students must also participate in the Winter Intensive and enroll in either Repertory or Composition (depending on their concentration). Studies are supported by a monthly Colloquium with the School’s Program Directors to discuss the professional world of dance. Students partake in field trips to observe NYC-based professional company rehearsals, and reflect on their studies. All students are required to attend four professional performances of their choice each year, one of which must be the Martha Graham Dance Company. Using a combination of on-site training and real-world application, the ASC prepares students both in the studio and within the dance industry itself.

Students enter the ASC at the beginning of the Fall (September) semester.

WINTER INTENSIVE

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

Additionally, all ASC: Performance concentration students are required to take three weeks of Repertory:

  • 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.

ASC: Composition concentration students are required to take three weeks of Composition:

  • 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.

Transfer credits may be accepted for 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.

Students may additionally elect into the following courses:

  • 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Performance Concentration Application Procedure

All prospective ASC: Performance Concentration students are required to submit an online application form.

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 Application Fee is required of all applicants.

After “Step 1: Application”, proceed to “Step 2: Audition”.

After “Step 1” and Step 2” are finalized, Individualized Study track applications are complete. Graham 2 track applicants should proceed to “Step 3: Composition + Graham 2 Applicants ONLY” to finish their applications.

Individualized track decisions are made on a rolling admissions basis from January – August; prospective students are notified within two weeks of receipt of completed application. Graham 2 track decisions are made within two weeks after Callback Auditions.

Composition Concentration Application Procedure

All prospective ASC: Composition concentration students are required to submit an online application form.

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 Application Fee is required of all applicants.

After “Step 1: Application”, proceed to “Step 2: Audition”.

After “Step 2: Audition”, proceed to “Step 3: Composition + Graham 2 Applicants ONLY” and follow the instructions for Composition Concentration..

Once “Step 1: Application”, “Step 2: Audition”, and “Step 3: Composition + Graham 2 Applicants ONLY” are finalized, the Advanced Studies Certificate: Composition application procedure is complete. Composition concentration decisions are made on rolling admissions from January – August; 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.

Advanced Studies Certificate Performance concentration students are admitted to one of two tracks: Graham 2 or Individualized Study. Thesis-equivalent evaluation is an assessment of a student’s cumulative performance portfolio, compiled over two years, while enrolled in the program. All Performance concentration students are additionally required to attend two professional auditions each year to gain experience and apply their skills.

Performance Concentration: Graham 2 track

*All dancers interested in participating in Graham 2 must be accepted into the ASC Performance Concentration: Graham 2 track at School Program auditions held annually in June. If a student is not accepted into Graham 2, they may still be eligible for acceptance to the Individualized Study track.

Performance concentration students in the Graham 2 track follow a rigorous course of technical study that includes a minimum of 12 hours per week of in-studio dance training including Martha Graham Technique, ballet, and contemporary. Additionally, commitment in Graham 2 includes a minimum of 12 hours of rehearsal per week, which also incorporates performance opportunities throughout the Tri-State area, as well as the annual New York City Season. Graham 2 track students are held to exceptionally high standards for technical proficiency, and must enter the program at a minimum of Graham Technique Level III, with the expectation that at the end of the two-year program they will be prepared for Graham Technique Level IV classes. Students are expected to remain in excellent standing in order to secure their Graham 2 enrollment in Years 1 and 2.

All Graham 2 track students are supported by a generous Scholarship Package.

Students have the opportunity to become familiar with all aspects of their major field through both practical experiences as Graham 2 members as well as in the reflective setting of regular colloquium meetings with the Program Directors to discuss progress and identify areas of growth.

Graham 2 repertory primarily consists of works by Martha Graham, but the troupe also commissions new works by established and emerging choreographers e.g., Brice Mousset, Virginie Mécène, and Adam Barruch. The Martha Graham School and Center are committed to engaging choreographers in the creation of new work on Graham 2. Therefore, students not only experience the process of learning and presenting established work, but also actively participate in the creation of new works premiered on them.

In addition to daily Martha Graham Technique classes, all Graham 2 track students must enroll in Ballet and GrahamWorks (Year 1) or Contemporary (Year 2):

  • Ballet: Training focuses on individual student abilities, and classes are structured to enhance and support the study of the Martha 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: An exploration of Martha Graham’s line of action in the development of her technique. Dancers experience the innovative exercises that Graham developed in her early years, and study the continuing change and growth of the language she was introducing through examining films and learning phrases from repertory that reflect her creative process.
Performance Concentration: Individualized Study track

The Individualized Study track is designed for those students interested in performance opportunities that build upon their previous experience on stage. Performance track students are held to high standards for technical proficiency, and must demonstrate advanced performance skills in their application.

In addition to coursework, Individualized Study students are cast in Composition concentration student work in the Fall Semester. Students engage in the creation of an original composition designed for them. In the spring semester, students collaborate with the Program Directors and are assigned a piece Graham repertory for further study, with coaching from current or former Martha Graham Dance Company members, which is presented in the final School Spring Showcases in June.

In addition to Martha Graham Technique, all Individualized Study students enroll in the following courses:

  • CorePower: A cross training class designed to supplement dance technique by building strength and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Conditioning: A flexibility and mobility course dedicated to stretching, recovery, and overall well-being.
  • Performance Workshop: Designed to provide students with performance experience, the class is primarily dedicated to an in-depth study of Martha Graham repertory, but may occasionally draw from other Martha Graham Dance Company non-Graham repertory. Students learn 1-2 works or excerpts in preparation for a formal presentation during the Fall Showing and Spring Showcases at the Martha Graham School.
  • Ballet: Training focuses on individual student abilities, and classes are structured to enhance and support the study of the Martha Graham Technique.
  • Contemporary: Year 2. Classes build upon Graham Technique and encourage dancers to explore the connections between this classic approach and post-modern styles.
  • Graham Works: Year 1. An exploration of Martha Graham’s line of action in the development of her technique. Dancers experience the innovative exercises that Graham developed in her early years, and study the continuing change and growth of the language she was introducing through examining films and learning phrases from repertory that reflect her creative process.

Advanced Studies Certificate Composition concentration students are accepted via online or in-person audition with the goal of advancing their previous choreographic studies.Thesis-equivalent evaluation is an assessment of a students cumulative composition portfolio, compiled over two years, while enrolled in the program. Each semester, students audition, cast, and create new work for the School’s Fall Showing and Spring Showcases. Composition students are assigned an advisor and submit to monthly evaluations of their works-in-progress. Additionally, Composition students intern with the School’s Annual All-City Panorama Project, wherein NYC public school students audition for, and are cast to perform in, Martha Graham’s Panorama during the Martha Graham Dance Company’s NYC season. All students must also submit their choreography to a minimum of one festival, competition, or similar event each year.

Composition concentration candidates are expected to demonstrate a significant level of achievement in Composition prior to their acceptance to the program. This may be in the form of a BA/BFA degree and/or significant college/university coursework in Composition, or a certificate from a fellow professional studio school with demonstrable Composition experience highlighted in their transcripts. The purpose of the Composition concentration is to serve as a practical laboratory for students seeking to hone their prior experience.

Composition students are expected to maintain their technical training and supplement their choreographic work with training in the Martha Graham Technique and related disciplines.

In addition to Martha Graham Technique, all Composition students enroll in the following courses:

  • CorePower: A cross training class designed to supplement dance technique by building strength and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Conditioning: A flexibility and mobility course dedicated to stretching, recovery, and overall well-being.
  • Performance Workshop: Designed to provide students with performance experience, the class is primarily dedicated to an in-depth study of Martha Graham repertory, but may occasionally draw from other Martha Graham Dance Company non-Graham repertory. Students learn 1-2 works or excerpts in preparation for a formal presentation during the Fall Showing and Spring Showcases at the Martha Graham School.
  • Ballet: Training focuses on individual student abilities, and classes are structured to enhance and support the study of the Martha Graham Technique.
  • Contemporary: Year 2. Classes build upon Graham Technique and encourage dancers to explore the connections between this classic approach and post-modern styles.
  • Graham Works: Year 1. An exploration of Martha Graham’s line of action in the development of her technique. Dancers experience the innovative exercises that Graham developed in her early years, and study the continuing change and growth of the language she was introducing through examining films and learning phrases from repertory that reflect her creative process.

Composition students also participate in a monthly Colloquium to place their educational experiences in context and examine their major field through collaborative discussions with their Program Directors and fellow students.

PHOTOS: Mathilde Havard By Steven Vandervelden; Tanguy Crémoux By Steven Vandervelden; Graham 2 in Martha Graham’s Heretic by Melissa Sherwood; Laura Estrada, Larissa Terada, Verdiana Stellaccio and Aoi Sato, Sheng Zhang, Christopher Michael Bursley and Octave Parfait, Sabrina Lobner and Carley Marholin, Madeleine Burnett by Melissa Sherwood.