Merce Cunningham: Pioneering Modern Dance Choreographer Dies at 90

Merce Cunningham was an American choreographer and dancer. Born on April 16, 1919, in Centralia, Washington, he studied at the Cornish School in Seattle and danced with Martha Graham's company.

In 1953 he founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, which presented works that used chance and collaboration with artists such as John Cage and Robert Rauschenberg. He changed modern dance by separating movement from music.

Cunningham's partner was composer John Cage. He received the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honors. He died in New York City on July 26, 2009, at age 90.

Achievements: National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors.

Birth: April 16, 1919 - Centralia, Washington.

Profession: Choreographer.

Interesting Facts: He collaborated with John Cage for decades.