Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Budd.
Hi Spencer , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I found Dance when I was 5 years old. I was at a cousins wedding, and they had music and a Dance Floor at the reception. from there i went out and started dancing and everyone crowded around me, at that moment i knew i wanted to do it for the rest of my life because I love the way it felt. from then my mom enrolled me in hip hop classes and from there i branched off to being with a studio for about 4 years. after that i started with an arts high school in my area which is where I got technical training. within that timespan i joined The Lab which was my intro to the dance community. from then on, I’ve been taking classes all over Socal, Danced with Project teams for friends of mine, competed with Hyphen, and now have my own team called Baudelaire.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
the road hasn’t always been easy, growing up in the Inland Empire at the time I started there wasn’t a lot of training and dance locally. I would either have to travel to LA or Orange County to find classes that would push me, but I never had the money to financially support it on a consistent basis. a lot of my early days was me learning stuff off of tutorials, watching class and concept videos and really soaking in each chance id get to take a trip out to Millenium Dance complex to take class from professional dancers. i would take home Choreography from those classes and practice them in my head, my room, and almost everywhere any chance I could get. ultimately it set me back in Comparison to my peers who have accomplished so much as now working dancers, but it also taught me how to be grateful and gave me many Unique experiences. Trying to navigate how to make this a career has been something I’m still trying to understand but dance has given me new friends, performance opportunity’s, travel experience, life lessons, and overall has helped shape who I am today. very grateful to see it start to monetarily support itself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
i am a Dancer/Choreographer. I’ve trained in various art forms such as Hip Hop, Popping, Tutting, Waving, Animation, House, etc. I also run my own team called Baudelaire. i feel what sets me apart is my love for dance. it allows me to experience it from multiple different positions. sometimes as a student who’s curious for more knowledge, sometimes as a leader to create, direct, teach and share my knowledge. sometimes a team member to support and uplift those around me, sometimes as a friend to get to know another person, and sometimes as a vessel for someone else’s creativity.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
i feel as if I’ve taken risks my whole life, since i was young I’ve missed out on family, events, trips, hanging out with friends, school events, etc just to push dance forward as a career. I’ve learned that if there is no risk there will be no reward, deep down i have belief in myself that it is possible and I am capable no matter the outcome, it’s made my me strong and resilient. I’ve also taken the risk in stepping into the role of choreographer, before I thought I needed credits and to do industry work to be respected as a choreographer. but I realized I have learned so much and have so much information to share that I’m more than capable of being a choreographer. its taught me how to teach through practice and take the risk to trust and depend on others to show up for me, which ultimately lead to the community of people I have around me today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s_buddofficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spencerbudd4021
Image Credits
@gilflow
@haydensdumpy
@steezystudio
@angieee_wang
@_movingmedia
@jay_matsu
