Until 1927, when JOHN MARTIN was hired as the first dance critic for the New York Times, dance was reviewed primarily by music critics. In his new role, Martin became an important observer of new directions in modern dance, with the rise of Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Hanya Holm. His first book, Modern Dance, was published in 1933 and the following year he and “the Big Four” all taught at the new Bennington Summer School of the Dance. Sybil Shearer, just out of college and a devoted reader of his book, first met him there. She later came to regard him, and Helen Morrison, as her “artistic parents.”

Sybil shared a lifelong friendship with Martin, whom she first met at Bennington. After his death she wrote in Ballet Review, “I have always been grateful to John for recognizing me as an unusual talent, not a follower. I could so easily have been crushed by a less imaginative critic. So we remained friends through the years, and right through his ninety-first year our phone conversations, full of wit and humor and creativity of thought, were a delight to me, and I hope to him.” And, “John Martin was my barometer, because he was my ‘ideal audience.’ He was always there, approving or disapproving. He saw all my solo work. Through him I felt myself to be part of the dance community, because he saw everyone else too.”