Modern Dancing
Savannah Halfmann AA2-Fall Dack
The Creation of Modern Dance
Important Leaders/ Choreographers/ Performers
Trisha Brown was an American modern dancer and choreographer. After studying dance at Mills College, she moved to New York, where, as a founding member of the innovative and influential Judson Dance Theatre, she was at the center of American avant-grade dance. She then proceeded to form her own company in 1970.
Merce Cunningham was an American modern dancer and choreographer as well, and studied modern dance and ballet at Balanchine's School of Ballet. A superb dancer, long-bodied, long-necked, with an amazing ability to jump, he was a soloist in Graham's company from 1940 to 1955. He presented his first work in 1942 and formed his own company in 1953, creating innovative dances to the music of avant-garde composers, including his life partner and musical director, John Cage.