Ian San­ford

Born in Maryland, Ian began his formal dance training at the age of sixteen at the Baltimore School for the Arts. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Juilliard School in New York City, graduating in June 2021. During his time at Juilliard, Ian was awarded both the Noble Foundation Scholarship and the Benjamin Harkarvy Scholarship in Dance.

In August 2021, Ian joined Richard Siegal / Ballet of Difference in Cologne, and after his debut season, was named a Danza&Danza Magazine award winner after performing Siegal’s works in Italy. In July 2024, he relocated to Tokyo, Japan, where he worked as a fashion model and performed Siegal’s choreography in collaboration with Nippon Sports Science University. That same year, Ian walked for Rick Owens at Paris Fashion Week and appeared on the runway at Tokyo Fashion Week.

Ian will join the ensemble of Staatstheater Nürnberg Ballet of Difference beginning with the 2025/26 season.

Photo © Julia Puder