A deeply spiritual man, Hawkins has often been called the “poet” of modern dance. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in classics from Harvard University in 1932, Hawkins began to study ballet and in 1934 made his debut in George Balanchine’s Serenade. After his short balletic career, he began his study of modern dance with Martha Graham. The two formed an intense artistic partnership that lasted twelve years. While working with Graham, Hawkins maintained his independent choreographic voice, frequently dealing with Native American imagery and masks, as well as the fusion of American and Asian cultures. Hawkins formed his own company in 1952, expanding opportunities for his unique vision through collaborative work with many composers and artists.

Company website: www.erickhawkinsdance.org