Meet Spencer Collins, the 11 year old, from Westside Ballet in California. You might know him from being a YAGP standout including winning the 2025 Finals Hope Award. Spencer is one of the 2025-2026 Ambassadors for The Ballet Planner, and we took the time to interview him. Instagram: @ballet.spencer.c
(Photos courtesy of Spencer Collins)
What is your ballet journey?
When I was about 5 my mom took me to the Los Angeles Ballet Nutcracker! After the performance I told her that I wanted to sign up for ballet classes. I started taking open classes at Los Angeles ballet school then became a member of the school. After about 3 years, the school closed. So I had to find a new school to go to. I ended up going to Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica. That is when I started going to YAGP. When I was 9, I got first place in the pre competitive age category at semi finals, and top six PC men at finals. The next year, I got the hope award at semifinals and 1st place in classical and contemporary in the PC men. Then in my last year in PC, I got the hope award at regionals and finals! YAGP has given me so many summer intensive and short term opportunities. I can’t wait for the next years ahead!
What is your favorite food?
Sushi
What is your go to Starbucks order?
Depends on the season and my mood, but right now it’s the iced pumpkin cream chai and mango dragonfruit lemonade
What do you like doing outside of ballet?
I like to play the piano, baking, crafty things, and learning how to do random things
What is your favorite thing about The Ballet Planner?
Definitely the creativity you can put into it.
What is your favorite book? Song? and/or Museum?
My favorite museum is the ice cream museum.
What inspires you?
Watching old ballet videos
Best family memory?
When we were flying to our grandparents house in Alabama, we had to stop in Atlanta. Our connection flight was cancelled and there were no other flights. We had to end up sleeping in the airport with no pillows or anything.
Anything Else you want to include?
I have a dog named Betty that we rescued/adopted right after one of my Nutcracker performance 3 years ago.