"Liam Redford started dancing at 8 years old, but truly fell in love with the art when he was given the opportunity to play Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical at 5 regional theaters throughout the United States. He has trained at The Rock School for Dance Education, Joffrey Ballet School, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, University of Michigan, and Early Mosley Diversity of Dance, while training weekly at BCIT Academy of Performing Arts and Broadway Dance Center. Recently he has performed in regional musical theater work of The Prom, Kinky Boots, and Cabaret. He takes pride in his volunteer work of choreographing the musicals for Camp Fatima Company, a musical performed by all people with disabilities. In high school, he was a very active student having been class president, the student representative for the Board of Education, as well as valedictorian, and was the vice president of his NHSDA chapter. He now attends NYU Tisch School of the Arts, pursuing a BFA in Dance with minors in Disability Studies and American Sign Language. He has dreams and aspirations of performing and choreographing for musical theatre, as well one day creating an arts space and dance/theatre studio focusing on accessibility for people with disabilities."

Quotes

What does receiving a New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education mean to you?

Receiving this award honors my passion for the arts, celebrates my mentors and communities, and inspires me to keep creating impactful work.

How has receiving this award influenced your artistic journey and future aspirations?

This award shows that being an artist is more than just a beautiful dancer, but the importance of artistic integrity, and being a good human first.

Can you share a specific experience in arts education that had a profound impact on your development as an artist?

Choreographing musicals performed by people with disabilities, profoundly shaped my understanding of accessibility, community, and the power of art.

What advice would you give to young artists who are just beginning their journey in arts education?

Stay curious, work hard, embrace failure, and use your unique voice to create art that connects, inspires, and drives meaningful change.
visual-art

Liam performing a jazz piece, in a white button down and black slacks, in the air of a grand jeté à la seconde.

My Video’s

Innocent Wonder

Liam's high school junior solo, exploring the themes and questions of losing your wonder of childhood as you grow up, when we stop asking questions, and specifically exploring the questions of queer youth. Self-choreographed.

PULSE OF RESILIENCE /_\

Dedicated to all those lost and those who have experienced loss from the AIDS epidemic and the deliberate ignorance from those in power. Choreographed by Liam Redford, performed by the dancers of BCIT APA Classes 2024-2028.

Electricity

Liam's musical theatre dance solo from Billy Elliot the Musical, Electricity. Choreography cultivated by Liam Redford of different productions choreographed by Lauren Patanovich, Matthew Gardiner and Kelly D'amboise, Rachel Bertone, Cindy Reiser, and Brooklyne Williamson.

The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education began in 1980 to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts, recognizing the creativity, talent and leadership of the award winners. Each year, awards are presented to approximately 20 educators and 80 students. National and statewide organizations select the students for their exemplary work in creative writing, speech, dance, music, theatre and visual arts and the leaders for their exceptional commitment and contribution to arts education. The program also recognizes arts educators and arts education advocates, whose leadership has helped nurture the development of students in the arts across the state.

432 High Street Burlington, NJ 08016

info@artsednj.org

The Governor’s Awards event is a partnership of the Arts Ed NJ, the Department of Education, Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, the Department of State and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Additional support is provided by: the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics; Art Educators of New Jersey; Art Administrators of New Jersey; Dance New Jersey; New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; New Jersey Speech and Debate League; New Jersey Music Educators Association; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Writer's Theatre of New Jersey; Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey; New Jersey Thespians and Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. The cooperating organizations, award sponsors and individual members of the planning council dedicate their time to make sure that excellence in the arts is rewarded, and work tirelessly throughout the year to plan this special event. The Governor's Awards in Arts Education ceremony are a major collaborative effort of the arts, education and state government.