Modern/ Contemporary Dance
Modern dance was born in the United States in the 1920s. Initially, it was a rebellion against the rigid lines and codified technique of ballet. Modern dance was thought to be more expressive of human emotions than simply a vehicle for aesthetic beauty and the telling of stories and fairytales. Dancers began using parallel positions and more earthy, grounded movements.
The woman often credited with being the first modern dancer was Isadora Duncan. Duncan was inspired by Greek statues and images. Her dancers were called the Isadorables.
Perhaps the most famous modern dance pioneer was Martha Graham. Ironically, Graham came up with her own codified style of dance, despite the fact that modern dancers were rebelling against ballet and its codified technique.