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How did Martha Graham’s childhood in Santa Barbara influence her choreography?
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Martha Graham
Martha Graham performing “Letter to the World” (also called “The Kick”), 1940.
After moving to Santa Barbara, California, in 1909, Martha Graham encountered specific environmental and cultural elements that became lasting influences on her choreography. During her time there, she discovered the rhythm of the sea and became acquainted with Asian art, both of which remained evident in her work throughout her career.1