Connie Etemadi
A fusion of the human spirit and the human body’s capabilities, dance can also reflect a curious paradox: free-flowing movement and unbridled joy alongside serious precision and discipline. A master at her craft, Camille Spence relays her own passion for these complexities, exploring the passion, the creativity, and the uncompromising hard work of bringing dance to the stage, and all the world, too.
Early Beginnings of a Life Destined for Dance
Located on the outer edges of Toronto, Burlington, Ontario, doesn’t necessarily hit center stage for dance professionals the way New York or Los Angeles might. Still, that is precisely where Spence got her start. Inspired and encouraged by her mother, and nurtured in her mother’s studio, Dancers Burlington, Spencediscovered early on her love for music, movement, and dance. At only 18 months old, Spence was in dance shoes almost before donning regular ones. These early experiences would soon set the stage for her to pursue an education and compete in dance while at Blyth Academy, followed by Pace University.
Increasing the Pace
While at Pace University, Spence balanced rigorous academic study with intensive choreography training, expanding both her artistic and professional range. With a concentration in choreography and a minor in business, the rising star worked directly with leading choreographers and industry professionals. Spence spent her time not just mastering her steps but developing her leadership as Dance Captain, a role that required coordination, communication, and mentorship of fellow dancers.
Earning Her Recognition
By the time Spence received her degree, she had been signed with Clear Talent Agency, straddling the coasts and making her mark in both Los Angeles and New York City. Her signing became a culmination of the many awards and milestones the dancer had already achieved in her career. Even before her tenure as Dance Captain at Pace, Spence was already achieving national recognition, winning first overall mini soloist at Starpower National Talent Competition, earning first runner-up for Junior Miss World Dance, and securing a World Dance Pageant Scholarship. These early accomplishments fueled her drive as she continued earning scholarships and opportunities that elevated her professional trajectory.
At Pace, Spence connected with key choreographers and, as Dance Captain, quickly stood out for her skill and leadership. In 2025 alone, Spence was selected as a finalist for the A.C.E. Awards, chosen from thousands of applicants to present her choreography to industry leaders such as Derek Hough, Kenny Ortega, and Nan Giordano.
Her growing list of professional credits includes appearances in the Warner Bros. and Disney+ film Clouds(2019), choreographed by Marinda Davis and directed by Justin Baldoni, which has reached millions of viewers worldwide. She performed in the Love Shack Fancy x Hunger Boots commercial campaign (2025) and appeared in the MLB’s opening performance with Pharrell Williams, choreographed by Charm LaDonna (2025), viewed by more than 10 million fans across broadcast and streaming platforms.
In addition to these credits, Spence also worked on the pre-production of Ragtime as an ensemble member for both Lincoln Center and NYC Center under Ellenore Scott. She has been a key member of Steven Blandino’s Treadfast Dance Company in NYC since 2024, performing in more than a dozen live productions across the U.S.
Most recently, Spence received a scholarship to the Jump Start LA Commercial Dance Summer Program, a highly selective career accelerator designed for dancers transitioning into sustainable professional work. The program is led by established, industry-active choreographers, including Jillian Meyers, Dana Wilson, Dominique Kelley, and Andrew Pearson, offering participants direct exposure to the realities of today’s commercial dance landscape.
Looking ahead, Spence is set to tour with Treadfast Dance Company during a two-week residency in Orlando, Florida, beginning in early May 2026. During the residency, she will perform as a principal cast member in Steven Blandino’s musical Falling Fast: The Musical, continuing her work at the intersection of concert dance and narrative performance.
She has also recently worked as a dancer in the pre-production phase of an upcoming Broadway-bound musical. While details of the project are not yet public, the experience reflects her ongoing involvement in early-stage development for major theatrical productions.
Beyond performance, Spence’s roles in teaching and judging show her leadership and impact within the dance community. She currently works with Dance One’s Star Dance Alliance, where she judges over 20 national competitions each year. She teaches at the Wild Dance Intensive Convention and leads Power Pak Dance, a weeklong national intensive that hosts hundreds of elite students annually. Through these platforms, she continues to mentor and inspire young dancers across the U.S. and Canada, sharing her technical skills and creative ideas with the next generation of performers.
Choreographing Her Next Moves
Leading seems to come just as naturally to the young star as dance. Even so, Spence’s education and determined hard work provide a quick reminder that just because something appears effortless, it doesn’t mean that it is, particularly when it comes to dance. She continues to impart those important lessons to younger dancers, helping them understand the balance between skill and passion.
Looking ahead, Spence is focused on expanding her choreography portfolio and mentoring the next generation of dancers, combining her performance experience with a growing passion for creative direction. Her long-term vision includes developing original works for stage and film while continuing to serve as a role model for young artists worldwide.
Given her balance of discipline and natural artistry, the future is indeed a brightly lit stage for Camille Spence.