In This Story
Hope Spears is an artist from West Palm Beach, Florida, who began her dance training at a young age. She pursued her passion at George Mason University, where she earned a BFA in Dance from the College of Visual and Performing Arts in 2021.
After graduating, Spears moved to Los Angeles to work as a freelance artist, expanding her artistic horizons. In 2023, she became a full-time company artist with LA Dance Project. In addition to her dance career, Spears is a professional photographer and established model, blending her artistic talents across creative fields.
During your time here at Mason, what were some of the most insightful experiences that prepared you as a company artist with LA Dance project? Where is the most exciting place you performed?
There are so many experiences at Mason that allowed me to step into professional settings with an embolden confidence and newly developed sense of self. Jena’s anatomy class set me up to be smart about how I use my body, which comes in handy when working 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through potentially Saturday.
Buffy’s [Price] somatic class enlightened me by giving me space to explore the rich inner world that lies within us. Christopher’s [D’Amboise] audition workshop taught me how to play to my strengths, which I definitely kept in mind when I was auditioning for LADP. Susan [Shields], Karen [Reedy], Shaun [Boyle D’Arcy], and Linda [Miller] always reminding me that I am a badass both in and out of the dance studio. Jim [Lepore] broadened my perspective by introducing me to Afro-Cuban and bringing us to Cuba. Truly the list goes on and on and on. I could run through all my schedules from each semester and tell you about the effect it had on developing me into the artist that I am today. I am a well-rounded human because of my experience at Mason and for that I am forever thankful.
The most exciting place I performed was probably the Sydney Opera House. To be in such an iconic place was unreal. I almost cried walking into the artist entrance on the first day.
In addition to dancing, you’ve ventured into modeling and photography. How did these creative fields come into your life, and how do they complement your dance career?
Photography has been in my life for quite a long time. I started doing it in high school but then really had a chance to experiment and hone my skills after I had a major knee injury that put me out of dance for about a year. I went to a performing arts high school for dance, and in order for me to get graded/still participate in the program, I photographed classes and performances. I did a similar thing at Mason (without injury) and it allowed me to explore further how movement could be perceived in a different medium/way.
Modeling came into my life a little more recently. I had done a smidge of it growing up, but nothing like I am doing now. I thought it would be a fun way to take what I know about movement and cameras and combine them into one in a slightly less taxing way. When I have breaks from LA Dance Project, it’s a good way to still have an income while also giving my body a rest from the 10 a.m.-6 p.m. dance schedule.
All three of these career choices overlap in some way and allowed me to carry multiple perspectives about the job. Knowing how to dance/move has helped me create interesting photos both as a model and photographer. Being a photographer has helped me develop movement that captures well on camera and gives me something to talk about when I am on set modeling (I love learning from the photographers on set). And modeling has taught me how to know what angles look best on a camera and given me a fun space to play with movement.
Upon your return to School of Dance as a guest artist, how did it feel to be back on old stomping grounds with new young artists?
Absolutely amazing. I almost cried walking back into the space. Watching and talking to the young artists that are there now was so inspiring. It gave me hope for the future of dance and honestly for the future in general. No matter what career we all end up in, I know that Mason takes in and promotes kind, intelligent, empathetic people which are the type of people the world could use more of.
What advice would you give to aspiring dancers who are in college right now, especially those thinking about transitioning into a professional career after graduation?
I think my biggest piece of advice for aspiring dancers and those thinking about transitioning into professional careers would be to remember that it is just dance. Yes, it is your passion and what you’ve been working, I’m assuming, majority of your life for. Yes, it has this ability to change the world. Yes, technique and artistry matter… yes, and yes, and yes.
However, I have found that if that is all you focus on and is what you sleep, eat, and breathe, you’ll end up stressed and burnt out sooner than you think. It’s like holding on to something you love so tightly that it ends up suffocating. In my most meaningful moments of my dance career, I have noted that my other experiences in life, that aren’t necessarily dance related, have been more beneficial to the work than any dance knowledge that I have gained throughout the years. Again, not saying that you should now ignore the dance training and knowledge that you have and are learning, but just keep in mind that a well-rounded dancer is actually a well-rounded human. One that can hold multiple perspectives, be empathetic in all situations, has a deep understanding of who they are, that all comes from life experiences, not just dance experiences.
Keep an open mind, remain curious about your surroundings, and don’t take yourself or this job too seriously. At the end of the day, it is just a job. I acknowledge that I am saying that as a person who is privileged enough to have a full time company job, but trust me, you are so much more than the job you have. You all have got this! And you have the wonderful Mason community to help you when you’re “out in the real world,” as the saying goes.