Robert "Tigger" Benford
Concentration(s): Rhythmic analysis, Percussion accompaniment for dance, Music for movement, Soundscapes for dance

Robert "Tigger" Benford is a percussionist, composer and improvisor, specializing in hand drumming and music for modern dance.

Benford's score for ballet choreographer Septime Webre's dance, Fluctuating Hemlines, was presented most recently at the Kennedy Center in April, 2000 by the Washington Ballet, and in February of 2001 by Ballet Austin. In 1997, he released Noise of Choice: a solo CD of music for marimba and percussion, and in 2000, completed and released a collaborative CD with pianist Peter Jones, entitled The Metal Garden. Two of Tigger's works are featured in a coffee table book/CD set called Rhythm and Beauty, by Rocky Maffit, released in 1999.

In July, 2000, Benford created and premiered a commissioned percussion score for Sean Curran and Dancers entitled Abstract Concrete at Central Park Summerstage. Benford played an integral role in Curran's Joyce Theater season in June, 2001, performing Abstract Concrete, premiering Metal Garden with keyboardist Peter Jones, and premiering the body rhythm quartet Quadrabox Redux with Curran and two other performers. Another commissioned score is pending for choreographer Jane Comfort.

Benford teaches music to dancers as an Associate Professor of Dance at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.