“It is easy to see why Scott Elstermann is the first Australian to win a coveted Pina Bausch Fellowship“

— Nina Levy, Seesaw Magazine

Not many dance artists around the world can write Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham and Wayne McGregor on their resumé but Scott Elstermann is one.

Scott Elstermann is the first Australian and youngest-ever international recipient of the prestigious Pina Bausch Fellowship for Dance and Choreography. This granted Scott a placement with Spanish choreographer Marina Mascarell, accompanying her to some of the world’s most renowned contemporary dance companies including Nederlands Dans Theater (The Hague), GöteborgsOperans Danskompani (Gothenburg), Skånes Dansteater (Malmö) and Gärtnerplatztheater (Munich).

In 2023, Scott was one of two emerging choreographers selected from a worldwide callout for the La Biennale di Venezia College Danza program, creating his work Mosaic under the direction and mentorship of Sir Wayne McGregor CBE.

Scott graduated as Dux of the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) course at the acclaimed Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), receiving the Palisade Award for ‘Most Outstanding Graduate’. Whilst studying, Scott also received a Certificate of Recognition for being in the Top 100 students out of 25,000 at Edith Cowan University. He has a versatile background, receiving titles such as Junior Australasian Jazz champion and Youth Ballroom DanceSport champion.

To celebrate Merce Cunningham’s Centennial, Scott was selected by the Merce Cunningham Trust (USA) to perform the role of Merce at a distinguished Event at the National Gallery of Australia. He has also performed for Requardt & Rosenberg (UK) and some of Australia’s leading dance artists including Lucy Guerin Inc., Stephanie Lake Company, Shona Erskine and Brooke Leeder.

“Courageous and avant-garde choreographer, Elstermann is a Perth boy going places“

— Rita Clarke, Seesaw Magazine

Scott’s choreographic practice is laced with history and duality, centred around reimagining iconic works from the dance, literature and media canon. He fosters a curiosity departed from traditional dance techniques and instead turns to theatrics, gesture, form fusion, rhythmic interplay and body conditions that are 'other’.

Scott’s independent work has won numerous awards including ‘Outstanding New Work’, ‘Outstanding Choreography’ and ‘Best Independent Production’ at the Performing Arts WA Awards as well as a finalist for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance & Choreography’ at the Australian Dance Awards. He has choreographed commissions for organisations such as the West Australian Opera, WA Youth Orchestra, Freeze Frame Opera, Breaksea, LINK Dance Company, WAAPA Musical Theatre and Dance department.

Scott has received many accolades, including 2024 Western Australian of the Year finalist, 2020 Western Australian Young Achiever of the Year (Arts & Culture), ‘Best Performer’ at the Performing Arts WA Awards and ‘Overall Dance & Physical Theatre Award’ at Perth Fringe World Festival. He is also highly sought after for television and corporate events with credits including Lotterywest, P&N Bank and Crown Perth.