His artistic efforts have been recognized by The Foundation for Contemporary Arts, The Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Regional Arts Council, and Springboard for the Arts. He is the recipient of a 2023 Jerome Hill Artist Alternate Fellowship. 

He has toured as a performer and teacher around the United States, with engagements spanning university dance departments, k-12, contemporary art museums, arts organizations, and partnerships with regional state parks. In addition to creating performance work, Scott competes in the ballroom scene in the categories of hand performance, runway, and New Way Vogue as Edward.007. Scott is currently faculty at The University of Minnesota, a teaching artist through The Cowles Center for Dance, and faculty at St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. 

He views every movement as an opportunity to research the dynamic relationship between our physical, emotional, and energetic bodies. 

For more information, visit scottestafford.com 

Sample Programs: Customizable To Site’s Needs

Creative Movement (ages 4-12 - grades K-5)

A dance-based creative movement class – with an emphasis on body, action, space, time and energy. In this class, we will explore movement concepts like improvisation, dancing like the elements (fire, water, earth, air), creating choreography, tempo, level, and cultivating individual artistic voice. This class is suitable for all levels - no previous dance experience required. 

Objectives: 

• Develop student’s artistry through exercises that connect dance fundamentals with individual expression. 

• Break down components of body, action, space, time and energy to de-mystify concepts of dance composition, improvisation, and movement exploration. 

• Encourage students to approach movement concepts with a sense of curiosity. 

• Build student confidence and agency as dancers – emphasizing that everyone can dance. 

• Establish a sense of joy and freedom with kinesthetic exploration. 

Movement for Wellness

Explore systems of movements / meditations designed to help better manage health, energy levels, and well-being. Movement is modifiable to all ability levels. No experience is required. 

Objectives: 

• Reduce stress and support flexibility of muscles, tendons, and ligaments 

• Promote strength and balance 

• Cultivate mindfulness and awareness through the breath 

• Invite a sense of harmony with the flow of nature 

Contemporary Dance

A focus on familiarizing students with dance as both a physical technique and a culturally significant artform. Structured to include a warm up, exercises in contemporary dance technique, fundamentals of dance composition, viewing excerpts of dance works, guided class discussions, and at home writing assignments. These discussions encourage students to engage with dance as informed audience members (how does one watch dance? What does it mean?), and how dance can carry social, community, and cultural significance. This residency can be partnered with an existing dance class, or a course in humanities / arts. 

Contemporary Dance Masterclass  (Ages: Grades 9 – 10 (high school), Adults  )

A contemporary dance masterclass with teaching artist, Scott Stafford. Class is designed to include a warm up and contemporary phrase material – with a focus on developing technique, body awareness, and individual artistic expression. Classes are designed to suit classes of any dance experience, from beginner to advanced. All material is modifiable.