14 Facts About Martha Hill

Martha Hill was an American dance instructor with wide influence.

Martha Hill founded innovative programs at Bennington College and Connecticut College, and was the first Director of Dance at the Juilliard School, a position she held for almost 35 years.

Martha Hill attended the Battle Creek Normal School of Physical Education in Battle Creek, Michigan, graduating in 1920.

Martha Hill took over the position of dance instructor, teaching ballet and Swedish gymnastics for the next three years.

Martha Hill was hired in 1927 as Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Oregon where Bessie Schonberg was one of Hill's students.

Martha Hill joined the Martha Graham Dance Company, completed a BS degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and began teaching high school students at the Lincoln School of Teachers College.

Martha Hill was hired to teach at New York University in the Physical Education Department of the School of Education in 1930, soon becoming Director of Dance.

In 1932, Martha Hill was hired by newly founded Bennington College in Bennington, VT, as Chairman of the Dance Department.

Martha Hill held the positions at NYU and Bennington College simultaneously until 1951.

Martha Hill received her master's degree from New York University in 1941.

In 1951, William Schuman, president of The Juilliard School, hired Martha Hill to be the first Director of Dance.

Schuman and Martha Hill had the bold new concept of creating a training ground for dancers that would be equally split between ballet and modern dance.

Martha Hill remained the director of dance at Juilliard until 1985, training generations of dancers to the highest level of technique and artistry.

Martha Hill continued to teach at Juilliard for several more years after stepping down as director.