Train at the source.
The Martha Graham School offers programming for advanced beginners through the professional level.
All All classes are held at our home studios in New York City, and are taught by world-class dance professionals, including current and former artists of the Martha Graham Dance Company, several of whom trained with Martha Graham herself.
Programs support international F-1 Student Visas. As an accredited charter institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), the Two-Year Certificate Program, Advanced Studies Certificate Programs, and Teacher Training Program are approved by NASD.
Two-Year Certificate Program
Developed for students seeking a career in dance, this two-year, full-time certificate program offers studies at the pre-professional level.
Students must complete at least one Summer Intensive. Program Admission is by audition or faculty recommendation. Members of the program must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Courses included: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Repertory · Composition · Acting · Anatomy for Dance · Music for Dance · Dance History
Advanced Studies Certificate Program
Track: Composition
A two-year, full-time certificate program admitting students interested in advancing their studies in composition. Studies culminate in a thesis-equivalent portfolio of student work completed over the two-year period.
Advanced Studies are supported by a monthly Colloquium to discuss and explore the professional world of dance with the School’s Program Directors. Students in this program participate in field trips aimed at observing NYC-based professional company life and rehearsals. Students are required to attend four professional performances of their choice each year, one of which must be the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Transfer credits may be accepted upon review of a college/university or comparable post-secondary professional studio school transcript indicating at least three semesters of Composition or equivalent studies.
Courses included: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Composition · Performance Workshop · Winter Intensive
Advanced Studies Certificate Program
Track: Individualized Performance
A two-year, full-time certificate program for students interested in advancing their studies in performance. Studies culminate in a thesis-equivalent portfolio of student work completed over the two-year period.
Designed for students interested in performance opportunities that build upon previous stage experience. Performance track students are held to high standards of technical proficiency and must demonstrate advanced performance skills in their application. In addition to coursework, ASC: Performance track students are cast as dancer-performers in the choreography for ASC: Composition students during the Fall Semester.
Advanced Studies are supported by a monthly Colloquium with Program Directors; field trips to observe NYC professional company rehearsals; and are required to attend four professional performances per year, one of which must be the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Courses included: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Martha Graham Solo+Duet Study · Performance Workshop · Winter Intensive
Advanced Studies Certificate Program
Track: Graham 2
A two-year, full-time certificate program admitting pre-professional dancers interested in joining Graham 2, the Martha Graham school’s pre-professional performing company.
This track requires advanced Ballet and/or Contemporary technique and a strong desire to learn and perform Martha Graham’s technique and repertory. Students applying to this track must complete an online audition, and be available to attend an in-person callback audition upon invitation. Students who are admitted to the Graham 2 track are also required to be simultaneously enrolled in the ASC program.
Courses included: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Graham Repertory · Graham 2 Company
Teacher Training Program
This one-year, full-time certificate program prepares advanced and professional dancers with a background in the Martha Graham technique for a career in dance education. The fall semester addresses teaching methodology; the spring semester focuses on technical training in the Graham Technique and related disciplines.
Participation in the Winter Intensive is required as part of the Fall Semester. Students enter the Teacher Training Program at the start of the Fall (September) semester and are placed in technique classes appropriate to their level after evaluation by Program Directors during the first week of orientation.
Transfer credits may be accepted for Composition upon review of a college/university or comparable post-secondary professional studio school. Transcripts must be submitted as part of the registration procedure in August, indicating at least three semesters of Composition or equivalent studies.
Courses included: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Graham Repertory · Composition · Performance Workshop · Anatomy for Dance · Music for Dance · Acting for Dance · Dance History
Independent Program
Designed for students of all levels who wish to engage in a rigorous course of study in the Martha Graham Technique and related disciplines. Study in this non-certificated program requires a minimum commitment of one full semester, which may be renewed for up to four semesters.
There is no audition required for this program. Although 10 classes per week are strongly encouraged by the school, students are only required to take a minimum of 8 technique classes per week, 6 of which must be Graham Technique. Independent Program students are encouraged to participate in all school activities, including student showings and panel discussions, and are given access to the School’s archival library and video collections.
Courses included: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Performance Workshop · GrahamWorks
READY TO BEGIN?
Take the next step toward your training.
The Martha Graham School accepts applications on a rolling basis. The Fall 2027 application deadline is May 1, 2027. Auditions are held in January, March and June. International students are welcome — F-1 Student Visa support is available for all full-time programs.
Open to dancers 18 years or older, the Martha Graham School Summer Intensive provides dancers with a rigorous program in Graham Technique, Ballet, Contemporary, Graham Repertory, and Composition, with a master class series celebrating early modern dance form creators, and a two-week intensive Graham Teacher Workshop. All classes are held in-person at Martha Graham Studios in New York City.
Open to dancers 18 years or older, the Martha Graham School Summer Intensive provides dancers with a rigorous program in Graham Technique, Ballet, Contemporary, Graham Repertory, and Composition, with a master class series celebrating early modern dance form creators. All classes are held in-person at Martha Graham Studios in New York City.
Experience the expressive power and physical rigor of the Martha Graham Technique through a progressive curriculum designed for dancers of all experience levels. Rooted in the foundational principles of contraction and release, breath, floor work, and dynamic movement, classes develop strength, coordination, musicality, and artistry while guiding students from fundamental movement concepts to increasingly complex phrase work, repertory, and performance-level execution. Whether you are new to Graham or refining advanced technical and artistic skills, each class supports continued growth within Martha Graham’s iconic movement language.
Contemporary classes encourage dancers to discover connections between multiple dance genres including modern dance, improvisation, ballet, jazz, etc. Emphasizing physical dynamics, range, spatial awareness, musicality, and body specificity- contemporary dance classes provide a safe and inclusive environment to explore a wealth of textures within the dancing body and mind.
Students enhance the depth of their technical ability and performance in this introduction to Graham’s classic choreography. With respect to their own physical structure and range of motion, students will perform excerpts of renowned works, where they will gain a deeper understanding of the connection between Graham’s emotional and movement vocabulary.
We understand that emerging choreographers struggle with generating movement ideas and organizing their movement ideas in ways that make sense to them. We have designed this course to help choreographers explore a range of ways to work by “trying on” the creative processes of other established choreographers. Each week, you will be able to explore a different choreographer’s way of working and solving creative problems.