Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Becky Stanchfield - Season 8, Episode 102

Becky Stanchfield, born and raised in Minneapolis, has been teaching ballet in the Twin Cities for over 50 years.  Her training started at 4 years of age with Dorothy Lundstrum, and continued with Loyce Houlton at The Contemporary Dance Playhouse (later MDT) starting at age 14.  While there, her teachers included Francoise Martinet, Brian Shaw, Rochelle Zide, Madame Peryaslavic, John Kriza, Scott Douglas, Frank Bourman, Mary Hinkson, Lar Roberson, Glen Tetley, and more. At 17, Becky started teaching 5 year olds “contemporary dance” and a year later she was guided into teaching beginning adult ballet. That path continued and expanded for the rest of her career.  While at MDT, Becky taught for 16 years, as well as, being repertory assistant to the company.In 1982, Becky started teaching at Zenon and Macalester College and continued at both for 30 years.  She also taught at the U of M for 10 years, from1986-1996.  And was a guest teacher at Halifax Dance for 10 summers in Nova Scotia from 1988 – 1997.Becky is known for her ability to “develop the individual potential of the dancers with whom she works” and has been known to “extend the life of professional dance careers”.  She was awarded the Sage Award for Dance Educator in 2010.Along with her teaching ballet, Becky has choreographed over 25 community and high school musicals.  She also has done chair massage for 25 years.  Now, her main passion is gardening.