Martha Graham, Beethoven, And Jackie Robinson

I know that it is hard to keep the balance between modern and classical dance, yet she has done it. It is amazing that she has studied under some of the most prestigious and well known modern dancers and choreographers of all time. She has accomplished so much and is continuing to amaze the world with her talent. She may not be a well-known choreographer but she should be. I hope that one day I can be half an inspiration as she is. During this project, I have become very familiar with Twyla Tharp. She, honestly, has become a major inspiration to me. Her dancing style and works remind me of the types of dance I love the most. I hope that I can one day meet

In “Showing What Is Possible,” Jacques D’Amboise reflects on an experience when a teacher helped him discover ballet. Madame Seda helped D’Amboise fulfill his talent. With ballet, he overcame the pressure to join a gang like his friends. D’Amboise was able to become a well-known ballet dancer with help from his teachers. When it was time to retire from dancing, he started the National Dance Institute. This project enabled D’Amboise to influence his own students around the world. An influential teacher can affect one’s future by challenging pupils to move past their comfort zones, teaching them to actively control their future, and setting up an environment where they can improve together.

Would you let people hold you back from doing what you love or would you overcome the obstacle? Misty Copeland was one of the first professional African American dancers. This is important because if she hadn’t done it then we still might not allow African Americans to be professional dancers. Also with her being brave and strong enough to not give up even when they didn’t like her she is teaching kids that you should not let others decide what you will do and who you will be. Misty Copeland’s obstacle was racism and persecution; it changed her because she gained strength to do what she loved despite the hatred.

This piece drew inspiration from the African American music of his youth. Years after his death, Ailey continues to be an important figure in the field of dance through the ballets he formed and the organizations he

What would you do if you were in Jackie Robinson’s shoes when he was getting hate for being in the MLB? How about if you were in Melba Pattillo Beals’s shoes when she was going to Central High? Or Brian Robeson when he crash-landed onto the lake with no supplies? Your reaction could be the same or it could be different from theirs.The reactions they had changed them and us. Jackie Robinson and Melba Pattillo Beals both helped us change our views about African-Americans having unfair rights, and Brian Robeson changed our point of view of surviving in the wilderness. Jackie Robinson, Melba Pattillo Beals, and Brian Robeson had helped us change our point of views.

faced turning points, Jackie Robinson, Melba Pattillo Beals, and Feng Ru all faced life-changing experiences that changed both their lives and their country.

Many choreographers shape dance into something different and defy certain styles. Alvin Ailey not only did this through dance but changed the racial norms in the dance world. The Alvin Ailey American Arts Theatre has performed for over 25 million people in 48 states, 71 counties and on 6 continents. Throughout his life he made a difference. Ailey himself “changed forever the perception of American dance.” Alvin Ailey changed the views of modern dance and racial acceptance in the arts throughout America.

Graham is considered one of the major and most influential dancers in America. Graham's craving for dance gave her the strength and determination she needed to become one of the best. Her incredible emotions changed the dancing world, not only in her style as a dancer, but in her innovative style of choreography (182).

Determination When faced with problems, the people with determination are the ones who solve and vanquish it. After a catastrophic event, there are always people who live to tell the tale. Many of these survivors used their determination to survive against physical, mental, and emotional hardships. Elie Wiesel, Paul Rusesabagina, and John F. Kennedy are examples of this. In the memoirs, Night by Elie Wiesel and An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina, and the article, “Sixty Years Later, the Story of PT-109 Still Captivates” by Stephen Plotkin, Elie Wiesel, Paul Rusesabagina, and John F. Kennedy were intent on staying alive in times where it was easier to give up.

Have you ever experienced a turning point in your life? Melba Patillo Beals, Jackie Robinson, and Feng Ru all had turning points which not only affected them, but also the countries they lived in. These characters are described in the following excerpts,”The Father of Chinese Aviation,” by Rebecca Maksel, I Never Had It Made, by Jackie Robinson, and, Warriors Don’t Cry, by Melba Patillo Beals. Melba Patillo Beals becomes one of the first African Americans to graduate from an all-white high school, Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American baseball player in the major leagues, while Feng Ru becomes the father of Chinese aviation. Each character made an impact on not only themselves, but their countries as well, and each of their

From war orphan to star ballerina, Micaela Deprince has inspired millions of dancers across the world to follow their dreams. Becoming the first full African American female classical ballet dancer, she has changed the face of ballet. From her story to all of her big accomplishments, she is certainly looked upon by millions of young dancers, including me.

“Go within everyday and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out” (A Quote by Katherine Dunham 1). Once one of the most successful dancers in both American and European theater, Katherine Dunham, a dancer, anthropologist,social activist,and educator, continues to inspire people throughout the world. Named America’s irreplaceable Dance Treasure in 2000. Dunham remains a name heard regularly in dance schools across the world (“Katherine Dunham Biography” 4). She is known for always trying to make a difference and in the process she has become of the world’s greatest humanitarians (Osumare 5). Katherine Dunham’s work in African American rights in the dance world and her creation of new styles of dance makes her an important figure in American dance History.

It was soon my group’s turn to perform on stage. The Black History assembly was upon us and we within my group we were tasked with black history Past. Present. Future. Some of my group members were assigned Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and Barack Obama among others. When Harriet went I smiled, when Diddy went I laughed, when Oprah went I seized. See I was tasked with Alvin Ailey; World famous dancer and one of the first black males to do it on a professional level. I didn’t know not a thing about ballet so I immediately thought of the impossible. I only knew how to dance hip-hop, so I researched him and found out the dance style he created and analyzed it. His dance style was fluid yet robust, as if he was a gust of pure everlasting

Speeches and music are great ways to bring awareness to inequalities around the globe. Music created by artists can help support many causes, through their lyrics people subconsciously learn about social inequities. “Known throughout the world, Youssou N’Dour is a musical peacemaker in his native Senegal and lends his words and music to critical campaigns, such as malaria prevention programmes.” (Da Silva) Another example is Oliver Mtukudzi, a musician from Zimbabwe, who helps raise awareness of diseases by shaping his lyrics to inspire people to help his causes. Yet another example is Angelique Kidjo, an ambassador of goodwill, who helps causes like hunger by singing about them. In synopsis, music has a major effect on social inequities and can greatly help change to our society. Lastly, speeches have had the biggest impact on our society out of any genre of literature. Susan B. Anthony greatly paved a path for women's’ rights by tenaciously campaigning to get women's rights to be equal to men’s. For example, she helped women get the right to vote. Correspondingly, in The Gettysburg Address, Lincoln focused on fixing the inequality of slavery and helping colored people gain equal rights. When Martin Luther King gave the I Have A Dream speech, he completely changed social inequities by greatly decreasing racism. “Africans found a particularly poignant

"American Masters: Martha Graham, About the Dancer." PBS. PBS, 16 Sept. 2005. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. .