AGES
4 – 18
Little Movers to Pre-Professional
PROGRAMS
3 Tracks
Preparatory | Training | Pre Professional
LOCATION
1501 Broadway
11th Floor, New York, NY 10036
CONTACT
Amélie Bénard
youngartists@marthagraham.org
OUR MISSION
The Graham School prepares students for a lifelong engagement with dance. Training in ballet, Graham Technique, contemporary dance, and choreography is tailored to each student’s level and interest.
Curriculum Components: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Graham Repertory · ChoreoLAB
Inclusivity Note: See our Statements of Inclusivity regarding Students with Disabilities, Multilingual Learners, and support for families.
YOUTH DIVISION PROGRAMS
Three pathways, one continuum.
Every Young Graham dancer progresses through a curriculum aligned to adult technique levels, designed so students can seamlessly transition into adult programs when ready.
Preparatory Program
Ages 4–9 · 1 class/week (45 min) · No Audition Required
A developmentally appropriate foundation in ballet and Graham for dancers ages 7–9 that builds coordination, musicality, and confidence, beginning with intentional movement exploration for Little Movers ages 4–6.
Curriculum: Little Movers (4–6) · Ballet Foundation · Graham Introduction
Training Program
Ages 10–17 · 1–6 hrs/week · Placement Required
Strong technical training for dancers ages 10–17 in Graham Technique, ballet and contemporary, building technique, and performance skills. Progression is evaluated by faculty at the end of each term.
Curriculum: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary
Pre-Professional Program
Ages 12–18 · 7–15+ hrs/week · Audition Required
A conservatory-based program preparing serious dancers for college or a professional career through rigorous technique, personal and creative exploration, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Curriculum: Graham Technique · Ballet · Contemporary · Repertory · ChoreoLAB
FALL SEMESTER
Saturday, September 12: Trial Classes + Placement Classes
Monday, September 14: First Day of the Fall Semester
Monday, October 12: No Classes: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, November 3: No Classes: Election Day
Saturday, November 7: All-City Panorama Audition
Wednesday, November 11: No Classes: Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 25 and Saturday, November 28: No Classes: Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 16: Last Class before the Winter Recess
December 17 to January 3: No Classes: Winter Recess
Monday, January 4: Classes resume
Saturday, January 9: Trial Classes + Placement Classes
Monday, January 18: No Classes: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Saturday, January 23: Last Class of the Fall Semester
SPRING SEMESTER
Monday, January 25: First day of the Spring Semester
Monday, February 15 to Sunday, February 21: No Classes: Midwinter Recess
Friday, March 26: No Classes: Good Friday
Monday, April 26 to Sunday, May 2: No Classes: Spring Recess
Monday, May 17 to Sunday, May 23: Teens Take The Met! Dates TBA
Monday, May 31: No Classes: Memorial Day
Saturday, June 5: Last class of the Spring Semester
Saturday, June 5: Tech Rehearsal for Spring Showcase
Sunday, June 6: Spring Showcase
Monday, June 28 to Friday, July 24: Pre-Professional Program 2027 Summer Intensive
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Beyond the studio into the city.
The Youth Division extends beyond year round training with intensives, community projects, camps, and school residencies throughout New York City.
All-City Panorama Project
Free · Grades 9–12 · All Five Boroughs
Conceived in 2010 by Janet Eilber, Joan Finkelstein, and Tami Alesson, and with ongoing support from the NYC Department of Education, the All-City Panorama Project provides public school students grades 9–12 from all five boroughs the opportunity to perform Martha Graham‘s seminal work, Panorama — at no cost.
Through an application and audition, participants with or without experience in the Martha Graham Technique commit to a 4-month class and rehearsal process as a cohort with a minimum of two performances.
Dance Camps
1 Week · K–12
Dance Camps are one-week programs designed to support youth through daily dance classes, social-emotional learning, and creative exploration. Programs run in alignment with the New York City Department of Education academic calendar and school breaks.
2026–2027 Camp Sessions:
Moving Through Emotions February 2027
Appalachian Spring April 2027
Adventures of the Sea August 2027
School Residencies & Workshops
Grades 6–12 · Customizable
The Martha Graham School offers residencies and workshops in grades 6–12 that introduce students to core Graham principles — contraction and release, spirals, and the dramatic use of breath — through expressive movement and creative exploration.
Middle school programming emphasizes foundational vocabulary, collaboration, and confidence, culminating in an informal sharing. High school programming deepens technical skill and artistic voice through technique, repertory, and composition, culminating in a performance or workshop demonstration.
All programming can be tailored to classroom themes and arts curriculum goals.
LEARNING EXPECTATIONS + LEVEL ADVANCEMENT
A curriculum built for seamless progression.
Every learning expectation is stated in one of four domains: technical, cognitive, socio-emotional, and leadership/professional. These domains are drawn directly from the School’s Teaching Artist Certification framework, ensuring alignment between what faculty are trained to teach and observe and what students are expected to demonstrate. They are organized by technique and age/level to support the appropriate development of physical, neurological/cognitive skills and capacities.
Graham Technique Alignment: The Youth Division Graham technique is aligned to the adult Graham technique levels with clear expectations for level progression, so that students are able to seamlessly align to the adult levels and transition into adult programs. Graham technique syllabi currently exist at Level I–II (ages 7–9) and Level III–IV (ages 10–12). Level V–VI correlates directly with the Graham Technique Syllabus Level I and II. The creative movement syllabus is under development along with other techniques.