"Modern dance is not a system, it is a point of view," according to Martha Hill, a pioneer in creating new horizons for this art form. Born in Ohio in 1900, she ignored the widespread Christian attack on the sinfulness of dance. She journeyed to New York City in 1929 and joined Martha Graham's company. Although a competent dancer, she discovered that she had a real knack for teaching modern dance. At this time, all teaching of the arts programs was done in physical education programs.
Hill was hired to teach at NYU and then in 1932 accepted a part-time position at Bennington College in Vermont. She started a summer school and not only enchanted students but brought in dancers from all over the country in solidarity with one another. In 1951, Hill was chosen to create the dance department at Julliard where she explored new turf by putting ballet and modern dance together in the same courses.
Director Greg Vander Veer (Keep Dancing) has fashioned an immensely engaging documentary about Hill's little-known life (1900-1995) and career with an astonishing blend of archival footage of dance numbers and interviews with friends and colleagues who praise her contributions to American modern dance. Some of the famous choreographers she worked with are Hanya Holm, Jose Limon, Bessie Schonberg, Charles Weidman, and Merce Cunningham. Even with all that she accomplished, Hill struggled when Julliard's dance department was threatened with closure during the creation of Lincoln Center. But this gifted dancer and teacher managed to survive and thrive by her indomitable will.
