Don Martin

Donald R. Martin (June 20, 1931 – July 4, 2021), known professionally as Don Martin, was an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher associated with Horton technique, a modern dance technique developed by Lester Horton. He performed with Lester Horton Dance Theater and was later an original member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Early life Martin was born in Houston and moved to Los Angeles as a child. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School with Alvin Ailey and Carmen de Lavallade.

Martin was selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Lester Horton Dance Awards in 2003. His work Odes and Homages was performed at the event.

A 2005 Los Angeles Times review noted Martin's reconstructions of Horton's Dedication to Jose Clemente Orozco and Sarong Paramaribo, as well as Martin's own work Odes and Homages.

Teaching and Horton technique Dance Magazine identified Martin as a Horton technique teacher at the Los Angeles County School for the Arts and listed Martin and Alvin Ailey among the dancers Horton worked with while developing the technique. Martin later taught Horton technique at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he taught until he was 85.

Death Martin died on July 4, 2021, at his home in West Hollywood, California. He was 90.