Cahoots
UMS 101:
Reshaping American Movement:
The Graham Technique
A pioneer in American modern dance, Martha Graham radically expanded the dance vocabulary, forever altering the scope of the art form.
Explore her life and work, including her signature Graham Technique led by local dance artist Peter Sparling, who danced in Martha Graham’s company early in his career. This 90-minute classroom-style workshop complements UMS’s presentation of Martha Graham Dance Company Saturday & Sunday February 17-18.
Tickets to the Martha Graham Dance Company performances are sold separately.
UMS 101 workshops are related to mainstage performances on the UMS season. Workshops are tailored for audience members who want to familiarize themselves with or deepen their understanding of a particular genre and performing artist in a fun, casual learning environment.
Each UMS 101 workshop is facilitated by a professional, community-based practicing artist/educator and features conversation, engaging activities, and live demonstrations that enhance each participant’s experience attending the full performance or can be enjoyed as a stand-alone experience.
Peter Sparling is Rudolf Arnheim Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Dance and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus at University of Michigan. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and The Juilliard School, Sparling was a member of the José Limón Dance Company and principal dancer with Martha Graham Dance Company. He directed Michigan’s own Peter Sparling Dance Company from 1993-2008 and was recognized with the 1998 Governor’s Michigan Artist Award.
Sparling serves as associate director/choreographer of New Theater of Medicine. He is a lecturer, published poet and essayist. His dances for video have been selected for numerous international festivals, including the New York Dance on Camera Festival, American Dance Festival Dance Film & Video Festivals, Lisbon’s InShadow Festival, DANCE:FILMS Glasgow, Screen Dance International and Ann Arbor Film Festival. His made-for-TV work, Climbing Sainte-Victoire, was broadcast on Michigan Television in 2009. His screendance, The Snowy Owl, was featured in the Court Métrage of the Cannes Film Festival 2015. The Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival screened his video, “Winterreise”, with live musical performance at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 2022. An avid painter, Sparling has presented five solo exhibits and had works featured in numerous group shows. Learn more at petersparling.com
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