One of the unique dancers and choreographers of the 20th century was undoubtedly Martha Graham. He was born in suburban Allegheny (now Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, on May 11, 1894 ("Biography of Martha Graham."). Martha mentioned that her first dance lesson was when her father told her to always remember that movement never lies (Aoki et al). Martha Graham trained and inspired a generation of performers and choreographers, including diverse artists such as Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor and Merce Cunningham (Tenaglia). She had the idea that movement should be “charged with inner meaning, excitement and momentum.” So in 1926, as an entrepreneur, she founded her own dance company in New York. At the same time, she developed her own unique and highly innovative style that reflects other influences and a unique dance vocabulary that can be defined as any modern dance movement (Tenaglia). In fact, Martha Graham revolutionized modern dance. She had worked with Ted Shawn when she was young for several years; Graham improved her technique and began dancing professionally as a talented solo dancer. She then accepted a position at the Eastman School of Music, where she was able to work independently and later invented her own dance technique and attitude which contributed to the creation of her company in 1926. One of her The most significant influences on modern dance was when Graham interpreted a vocabulary of movement that emphasized all aspects of human experience expressed theoretically through the body (Ellen). She had an ability to show her emotional and spiritual themes in her dancing that no other dancer had shown, using spastic movements, tremors and falls. For example, one of the first pieces of the compa...... middle of paper ...... et al. “Martha Graham: A Dancer’s Life.” Language Arts 77.5 (2000): 446.ProQuest. Internet. Accessed January 19, 2014. Ellen G. Landau. “Graham, Martha.” Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford UniversityPress, accessed January 19, 2014. KISSELGOFF, ANNA. "DANCE VIEW; Reflections on Martha Graham's Revolution." New York Times, May 29, 1988. http://search.proquest.com/docview/426826649?accountid=27372. “Biography of Martha Graham.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, and Web. accessed January 15, 2014. http://www.biography.com/people/martha-graham-9317723 Taylor, Clarke. “MARTHA GRAHAM IS ALWAYS LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE.” LosAngeles Times (1923-Current File), April 21, 1986. http://search.proquest.com/docview/154721641?accountid=27372.Tenaglia, Susan. “Building on the Graham tradition.” The world and me 18.11 (2003): 76-81.ProQuest. Internet. Accessed in January 14. 2014.