This legendary festival, begun in the 1930's by choreographers Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis, still functions as America's major dance festival, lasting for two months in the summer. Due to its historical significance, the festival focuses on preserving its American traditions in dance with its devotion to the modern classics, so this is not the place to go to see groundbreaking choreography. The festival is good however for young dancers who are seeking good dance training and workshops with famous choreographers to go along with a history lesson in the beginnings of modern dance. The festival is located in the mountains and is removed from major towns/cities, making the experience of being part of modern dance history even more enriching.