“My work is, or at least what I attempt to do, is to take each person for what they are, both in the teaching and in the making of dances, and try to find out what it is they are as dancers, and make that come out.” Merce Cunningham (1967)

The Studio continues to be the source of Cunningham dance technique at the professional level, providing dancers with an ongoing experience in learning to see, understand, and explore movement. Experience the Cunningham technique in person and take classes at the Merce Cunningham Studio through our Open Program. Merce Cunningham Studio is available for rental Monday through Friday from 8 PM to midnight and Saturday through Sunday from 6:30 PM to midnight.

New to the Studio? Take a trial class anytime for $15! Take classes through our Open Program or join the Professional Training Program or our International Program. Please review the specific requirements for each of our educational programs, and contact the Director of Education, Mary Lisa Burns by submitting a classes form to discuss your enrollment. Learn more in Classes.

Educational Outreach


A way of introducing the work and ideas of Merce Cunningham to school groups, this program currently offers creative movement classes, visits to the Merce Cunningham Studio, performances by the Cunningham Repertory Group, arts partnership opportunities, professional development for teachers, and educational text and videos on Merce Cunningham and his work. Learn more in Educational Outreach.

Studio Rental


Contact the Technical Director by submitting a studio form to discuss your performance requirements. The Technical Director will guide you and your production personnel in making your performance run as smoothly and professionally as possible. Learn more in Studio Rental.

For further information please contact Mary Lisa Burns, Director of Education at: marylisa@merce.org or by telephone at: 212.255.8240 x32

Studio Workshops


Summer Intensive Workshop

Teacher: Carol Teitelbaum, Former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and currently Faculty Chair, Merce Cunningham Studio.

Dates: Monday, July 12 Friday, July 16, 2010
Times: 10:00-4:00 daily
Cost: $400 (non-registered students)*

*Enroll by May 1, 2010 to receive the special, limited-time discount price of $300 -- and complimentary studio registration!
$200 (registered, enrolled students)
This will be an intensive, week-long workshop in Cunningham Repertory and Technique. The workshop will include viewing of archival film footage and a discussion of the historical context of the work being learned. There will be an informal showing/performance by participants on the afternoon of Friday, July 16, 2010. Prior dance training is necessary, but no previous training in Cunningham technique is needed

Download the Summer Workshop Application PDF


Teachers Workshop

This Workshop will be directed by Robert Swinston, Assistant to the Choreographer, Merce Cunningham Dance Company and Trustee, Merce Cunningham Trust

Dates: Monday, July 19-Friday, 2010
Times: Classes and workshop sessions will take place throughout the week. They will focus on issues related to Cunningham Technique and Repertory as well as the history of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and the compositional, philosophical and educational philosophy of Merce Cunningham. Teachers will learn the basic components of Cunningham technique, short phrases of Repertory, will have a session in which short dances are created using DanceForms software in the way that Mr. Cunningham might have. Film footage of technique videos will be viewed as part of a discussion of the teaching of the technique with Mr. Swinston and other Merce Cunningham Dance Company faculty and staff.
Cost: $500

Download the Teachers Workshop Application PDF