Dave Scott (choreographer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave Scott
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Scott in 2010
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| Born | August 15, 1972 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | June 16, 2025 (aged 52) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Weber State University |
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| Agent | McDonald Selznick Associates |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Awards | Best Choreography in Film – Fred and Adele Astaire Award 2008 Step Up 2: The Streets Best Choreography in a Feature Film – American Choreography Award 2004 You Got Served |
Dave Scott (born David Lee Scott Jr. on August 15, 1972) was a famous American hip-hop dance teacher. He was also a choreographer, which means he created dance routines. He helped develop new talent in the dance world. Dave Scott became very well known for his dance moves in movies. These included the 2004 film You Got Served and the 2008 film Step Up 2: The Streets. He also worked as a main choreographer on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. He was also part of The PULSE on Tour dance convention. Dave Scott passed away on June 16, 2025.
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Early Life and Dance Journey
Dave Scott was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 15, 1972. He grew up in Compton. He was very tall, standing at 6 feet 4 inches. Interestingly, he never took any formal dance classes. He started dancing just for fun when he was 15 years old.
How Dave Scott Learned to Dance
He learned his dance moves by watching musicals, b-boy movies, and music videos. One of his biggest inspirations was the pop superstar Michael Jackson. He also looked up to hip-hop dance pioneers like Stefan "Mr. Wiggles" Clemente and Timothy "Popin' Pete" Solomon.
As a teenager, Dave Scott got even better at dancing. He started his own b-boy crew. They would compete against other dance crews in his neighborhood. After high school, he went to Weber State University. He had a scholarship for basketball and earned a degree in business.
First Professional Dance Job
Dave Scott got his first professional dance job by chance. He was dancing in a club in Utah when someone asked him to join a concert tour. He replaced another dancer who couldn't make it. Later, he moved back to California. He began his career dancing on tours and in music videos.
Dave Scott's Career in Dance
Dave Scott built many connections in the dance world. He moved from dancing on tours to teaching classes. He also started creating dance routines for movies and TV shows. He described his choreography as strong, musical, and full of energy.
Working with Music Stars
He worked with many famous singers. These included Ginuwine, B2K, Tyrese, Brian McKnight, Jon B, and IMx. He also choreographed for rapper Bow Wow. Even Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski worked with him. Dave Scott was also the choreographer and co-creator for the teen R&B group Mindless Behavior.
In 2012, he helped create the Ubisoft video game The Hip Hop Dance Experience. He worked on this game with Laurieann Gibson and b-boy David "Kid David" Shreibman. He also served as a mentor and judge on Danceamatic.com. This website held monthly choreography competitions.
Dave Scott's Work in Film
In 2001, Dave Scott helped form the teen R&B group B2K. He was their choreographer and helped them choose their clothes. He then choreographed the movie You Got Served. All four singers from B2K starred in this film.
Awards for Film Choreography
In 2004, Dave Scott won an American Choreography Award. He won for Best Choreography in a Feature Film for You Got Served. After the movie's success, he released a dance DVD. It was called You Got Served: Take it to the Streets. This DVD taught people how to do the dances from the movie.
He also co-choreographed Step Up 2: The Streets. He worked with Jamal Sims and Nadine "Hi Hat" Ruffin on this film. In 2008, he won a Fred and Adele Astaire Award for Best Choreography in Film.
Other Movies Dave Scott Choreographed
Dave Scott also choreographed other movies. These included Fresh, Stomp the Yard, Dance Flick, House Party 4, and Coach Carter. In 2010, he appeared in a documentary called MOVE. This film showed how dancers could turn their hobby into a career. He also choreographed the 2013 film Battle of the Year: The Dream Team. This movie was based on the 2007 documentary Planet B-Boy.
Dave Scott's Work in Television
In 2003, Dave Scott was a guest choreographer on The Wade Robson Project. He also worked on Step It Up and Dance. He was a guest choreographer on season seven of Dancing with the Stars. Starting with season three, he was a regular hip-hop choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance.
Teaching Dance
Dave Scott was the director of the Los Angeles Hip Hop Intensive. He worked with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. He was also a teacher at several dance conventions and studios. These included PULSE dance convention, Millennium Dance Complex, and Broadway Dance Center.
Death
Dave Scott passed away on June 16, 2025. He was 52 years old. He died at a hospital in Las Vegas due to organ failure.
