Graham 2 To Perform At Appalachian Spring Holiday Event

As part of the Martha Graham Dance Company's popular Studio Series, Graham 2 will perform Martha Graham's beloved masterwork Appalachian Spring (1944). One of Graham's most celebrated works, Appalachian Spring has been called "shining and joyous" and "a testimony to the simple fineness of the human spirit" (The New York Times). The work features Aaron Copland's Pulitzer Prize-winning score and a spare set by Graham's longtime collaborator Isamu Noguchi. Performances are Saturday, December 8, at 1pm (family matinee) with an evening performance at 6pm, and Sunday, December 9, at 2pm. On Saturday evening, the score will be performed live by the International Chamber Orchestra of America directed by Daniel Feng.

For the Saturday family matinee there will be Americana crafts, snacks, and a chance to try some of the moves from the dance and be photographed with the dancers. All performances are suitable for all ages.

Tickets are $45. Admission for one child is included in the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets for additional children are $20. Student tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased online at www.marthagraham.org/studioseries.

The Martha Graham Studio Theater is located at 55 Bethune Street, 11th Floor, in Manhattan.

Graham 2 is a pre-professional dance company drawn from the most advanced students of the Martha Graham School. Its mission is to bring the Graham tradition to a younger audience, smaller venues, and cultural communities, and to be a springboard for young dancers to enter the professional dance world. Dancers are selected from among the hundreds of students from around the world who study at the Martha Graham School. While in Graham 2, dancers are supported by a scholarship, receive stipends for performances, and may be given the opportunity to perform with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Seventy percent of the current Company began as members of Graham 2.

Under the direction of Virginie Mécène, Graham 2 performs Graham's repertory as well as works of such guest choreographers as Robert Battle, Pascal Rioult, Adam Barruch, Kun-Yang Lin, Robert Cohan, Darshan Singh Bhuller, and Blanca Li. Committed to its education outreach program, Graham 2 performs for more than 3,000 public school children each year. Graham 2 has performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company at New York City Center and The Joyce Theater and has an annual performance season at the Martha Graham Studio Theater. The troupe has also performed at such leading New York venues as the 92 Street Y, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, LaGuardia Community College, Iona College, and in such cities as Miami, FL, Baltimore, MD, Wintergreen, VA, Cherry Hill, NJ, and Barcelona, Spain.

Graham 2 was originally created by Yuriko at the request of Martha Graham in 1983 under the name of Martha Graham Ensemble.