Dancing is a family affair for talented Midland teen

Some people are naturally talented, others are gifted, and for others it must be in the genes.

Such is the case for Spencer Reynolds who happens to be from a family of gifted and naturally talented performers that people in Midland and the area know well. 

Spencer and his siblings have all been dancing with the Georgian Bay School of Dance for many years.

Now, after graduating from St. Theresa’s Catholic High School, at 18 years old, Spencer Reynolds is off to York University to study dance and history with the hopes of becoming a teacher. 

That’s not all. He and his younger brother Cooper, 14, performed such an awe-inspiring contemporary dance duet that they were invited to join Team Canada next summer.

Speaking to the acrobatics that he and his brother’s duet involved, Spencer is very matter of fact.

“I can do side flips, back flips, aerials, and a fold, which is a back flip and 360º at the same time,” he says, seeming unfazed by how dizzying a prospect these moves are for most people.

“Whatever I want to do, I just try,” he says. “I’m a really active guy. When I’m on my own, I just figure it out.”

And, his younger brother, Cooper, can do all the same moves.

Spencer says the duet was a special one for his last season of competitive dance at the Georgian Bay School of Dance. 

That duet landed he and his brother an invitation to represent Canada at the international level. The two have decided not to pursue the invitation due to the cost and time commitment required. 

As it is, Spencer played rep hockey while dancing and runs a busy lawncare business with his brother. 

He says he feels lucky to have had such great hockey coaches that understood his commitment to dancing. Spencer also speaks highly of Stephanie Gendron owner of the Georgian Bay School of Dance, and his dance coach Sarah Walker for their guidance, leadership, and of course, teaching him many styles of dance and so many moves. 

“They’ve been great over the years helping me navigate everything,” he says. 

It hasn’t all been easy regardless of how much canned heat a dancer may have in their heels.

“Obviously, not many guys dance around here,” says Spencer, whose mother Melissa clarifies that he was teased quite a bit for his passion for dance.

When he started dancing with his older sister Emma, 20, and then with the rest of his siblings — Cooper, 14 and Olivia, 16 — Spencer says it gave him more motivation. “It made me want to do it more with support from my family.”

The four siblings danced in quartets and duets together over the years.

Spencer’s attitude says everything you need to know about finding joy in your passion and the strength of family.

Still, no gift unpractised stays polished. Spencer devoted a lot of time and energy to the art of dancing and will continue to devote a lot of time to art of dance at school in the fall. 

Spencer mentions a hip hop collective form YorkU that perform regularly and are the best in the GTA. Spencer says he may try out, but is very humble in saying he’s not sure he would even make the cut. 

As a piece of advice to anyone looking to pursue their passions, Spencer is just as passionate with his words as with his body in expressing himself.

“Do what makes you happy and do what you love, because it’s not worth other people shooting you down,” says Spencer. 

What music, you may wonder, makes Spencer dance the most? Billy Joel. The Piano Man. 

How’s that for leaving you feeling alright?