This year marks an exciting development in the artistic training at English National Ballet School as we introduce Martha Graham technique into the curriculum for the very first time. Led by our newly appointed Graham specialist, this addition reflects the School’s commitment to nurturing versatile, expressive, and well-rounded dance artists.
We sat down with our newest member of the artistic team, Sarah Sulemanji, to learn more about her role, passion for Graham work, and what this important contemporary technique will bring to ENBS students.
A New Role at ENBS
“My new role at ENBS is facilitating Graham based technique classes to students across all three years of study in the senior school as well as on the GAP programme,” Miss Sulemanji explains. This marks the first time ENBS has offered Graham technique, bringing one of the foundational movement languages of contemporary dance directly into the studio for our students.
Why ENBS?
Miss Sulemanji says she was immediately attracted to the School’s ethos and environment.
“There are many things at ENBS that led me to want to be a part of the artistic team here. The ethos of the school is incredibly student centred and from what I have experienced there is a real culture of care present; I believe this to be integral to all learning environments.”
She also highlighted the dedication of the students and the excellence of the teaching faculty:
“Students are enthusiastic, dedicated and committed to their studies. There is an evident commitment to a high level of pedagogic practice led by a community of experienced practitioners, and colleagues have been extremely welcoming from the moment I arrived. It’s a privilege to be here.”
What Is Martha Graham Technique?
At the heart of Sarah Sulemanji’s teaching lies the influential movement language of Martha Graham, one of the most pivotal figures in 20th-century dance.
“My practice is rooted in the movement language of Martha Graham. At its heart the Graham vocabulary communicates the lived human experience through the use of breath, emotion and dynamic range. Simultaneously it demands a high level of strength and technical virtuosity to be fully embodied.”
Graham’s choreographic legacy spans eight decades, from the 1920s to the 1990s, with the technique evolving alongside her groundbreaking body of work. The teacher also draws from the legacy of Sir Robert Cohan, who played a major role in developing Graham-based vocabulary within UK contemporary dance training.
Why Graham Technique Benefits Ballet Students
This new addition to the ENBS curriculum complements and enriches classical ballet training across the School.
“All students are taking regular classes in Graham technique to complement their classical ballet practice and add another strand to their development as dance artists.” Sarah says the technique offers significant benefits:
- Exploration of emotional expression
- Deeper understanding of breath and musicality
- Strengthening of the core and back
- Development of powerful, grounded movement
- Greater sensitivity, empathy, and creativity
“My hope is for the students to begin to explore new movement pathways, deepen core strength, and embed greater connectivity, power, sensitivity, empathy and joy in their work.”
How Students Are Responding
The response from students has already been overwhelmingly positive.
“In our first few weeks together I have found the students to be very receptive and responsive to this new learning. They approach our classes with commitment, curiosity and creativity as they begin to embody the Graham work, this is all I could ask for.”
A highlight this term was the students’ opportunity to watch English National Ballet perform Errand into the Maze, a work by Martha Graham.
“This enabled them to witness a sense of the vocabulary in a performance context,” they shared. “I wouldn’t want to speak for them though, you should ask them for their perspectives to see what they actually think!”
Why Graham Technique Belongs at ENBS
For Miss Sulemanji, Graham technique offers something profound:
“I believe in the honesty and integrity of the Graham work. While developing strong and beautifully powerful movers, delving into this language offers something meaningful and special to a dancer.”
She hopes it will add depth and richness to the students’ practice and complement the strong classical foundation ENBS is known for.
“My hope would be that it adds depth, another layer to their practice, complements their existing ballet training, and enables them to express themselves more fully as dancers, artists and humans.”
With the introduction of Graham technique, ENBS continues to expand the artistic horizons of its students, helping them develop not only as dancers but as expressive, thoughtful, and multifaceted artists. This exciting evolution in our curriculum reflects our commitment to equipping the next generation with the tools, inspiration, and versatility they need to thrive in today’s dance world.