Aaron Copland was an American composer born in Brooklyn, New York in 1900 to Russian-Jewish immigrants. He studied music from a young age and furthered his studies in Paris under the renowned teacher Nadia Boulanger. Boulanger encouraged Copland's interest in Stravinsky and he became dedicated to promoting American music, forming a composers' alliance focused on serving the people. Two of Copland's most famous works are the patriotic Fanfare for the Common Man and the ballet Appalachian Spring, originally choreographed by Martha Graham.