Scott Elstermann counts himself lucky to be able to combine his passion and career.
Since studying a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Scott has been a powerhouse in the industry, working as a successful dancer and choreographer.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know you could do dance at university,” Scott laughs. “It wasn’t until my high school teacher mentioned the possibility of studying dance at a tertiary level.
“As cliché as it sounds, I thought ‘wow, okay - I can make something that I love into my job’.”
Scott’s enthusiasm for dance is clear, something that has stuck with him since childhood.
“I started dancing when I was five-years-old. My mum took me along to a class one day, and I never looked back,” he says. “There's something so magical about the feeling of moving to music.
“I think everyone can dance – it’s in us all. We all dance when we're young and to be able to turn it into a career is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Growing up learning jazz, tap and ballroom dancing, Scott did a quick crash course in ballet and contemporary dance before auditioning and making the cut for WAAPA.
“I couldn’t believe it to be honest. To be accepted into WAAPA straight from school was incredible.
“And thinking about it now, to have this world class institution in my backyard - how lucky was I?”
Scott says his time at WAAPA was intense, likening it to a nine-to-five job with long contact hours, but it was certainly worth it; finishing top of the class when he graduated in 2014, receiving the Palisade Award for ‘Most Outstanding Graduate’ as well as a Certificate of Recognition for being in the Top 100 students at ECU.
“Going from school to full-time dancing was a big adjustment, and in my first year I felt I was playing a lot of catch up with other peers that had more classical training,” Scott says.
“But from it you form very close bonds with your classmates - some of them are still my best friends today - and it was so inspiring to see the collaboration between departments.”
“As cliché as it sounds, I thought ‘wow, okay - I can make something that I love into my job’.”
During his time at WAAPA, Scott was able to travel to China, France and Holland, making up some of his fondest memories of his studies.
“Traveling overseas was a definite highlight amongst the many phenomenal opportunities that ECU and WAAPA provided to open my eyes to what a career in dance could look like,” he says.
“I think training at WAAPA definitely opens doors. Being able to say that you're a graduate of WAAPA on your CV piques people's interest. I think they're aware of the quality and the skill of the graduates, and I would definitely not be where I am today without the training I received at WAAPA.”
As an independent artist, dance has taken Scott around the globe, working across both performance and choreography in operas, musicals and orchestras.
“Since WAAPA I’ve really had an interest in both areas – having the chance to perform in different shows, but also making and creating them,” he says. “I've been fortunate, with a lot of hard work, to juggle both those hats.
“Each day, each week is different, which I've come to really love. I get to work with a lot of different people, and I quite enjoy that flexibility.”
In 2018 Scott was the first Australian and youngest-ever international recipient to receive the Pina Bausch Fellowship for Dance and Choreography, given to four people annually.
“To receive this opportunity skyrocketed everything,” Scott says. “I got to travel to Europe for four months and receive mentorship whilst visiting some of the most renowned dance companies.
“It opened my eyes to what is happening in the dance industry globally, and in particular, my field of contemporary dance.”
Another highlight of Scott’s career was in 2023, as one of two emerging choreographers selected to create a new production for the famed Venice Biennale.
“Going to Venice for three months and working with eight incredible dancers from all over the world to create a piece called ‘Mosaic’ was another pinch me moment.
“It has been life changing to meet contemporary dance luminaries such as Wayne McGregor who really helped to shape modern dance.
“For them to see something in myself, this boy from Perth who didn't even know you could make dance a career is… I can't even think about it too long. It makes me a bit emotional.”
Since returning from Venice Scott has been busy, performing at the Adelaide Fringe Festival earlier this year and currently working on his new show to be presented in Perth in October.
“It will feature lots of WAAPA graduates, from the dancers to the composer, lighting and costume designer. I'm a huge advocate for WA and being able to provide opportunities for my peers and other incredible artists that have come through WAAPA and ECU is fantastic. I’m so happy we can work together and share our vision.”
Scott’s commitment to the local dance industry saw him recently nominated for the 2024 Western Australian of the Year Youth Award.
“What a special phone call that was to get. You don't think about the impact that you're having on the community. I know some people might look at me and think ‘oh he's just doing his little dance thing on the side’, but to see the power that dance can have - especially with what we've gone through recently with the pandemic - and being able to create a space for people to have fun, be joyful and play is something I don’t take for granted.
“I didn't realise the impact that I was having on the community and the industry.
“I've really tried to go against the competitive trend that dance can create. One of my mantras is ‘it doesn't cost anything to be kind’. By weaving that sentiment into my artistic practice has shown that anything is possible and to not take everything so seriously.
“To be recognised for my work in dance and to see an independent artist be highlighted in that way was phenomenal. What a privilege.”
And while international opportunities may continue to take him away at times, Perth will always be home for Scott.
“Perth and the WA dance community has given me so much that I feel like it's only right that I give and share that knowledge back,” he says. “I think having a training institute such as WAAPA and ECU here in WA is a game changer.
“The graduates that are coming out of there and opportunities they achieve in their industry on a state, national and international level is unparalleled.
“And although I've done a lot of traveling, I haven't really found somewhere else like that.”
