Spencer Liff is an internationally renowned director, choreographer, and dance educator who has been mentoring the next generation of performers for over 15 years. He is highly regarded as a champion to young, diverse talent through his work with the nonprofit arts education program, Broadway Dreams Foundation. With this organization, Spencer has taught and directed intensives across the United States and abroad in Russia, Germany, China, Brazil, the UK, and New Zealand. His dedication to his students and ongoing guidance have been directly responsible for launching the careers of countless young artists—many of whom landed their very first Broadway show, television role, or film opportunity under his direction and casting. In addition to his nonprofit work, Spencer has shared his expertise at iconic studios such as Broadway Dance Center, Steps, and Millennium, as well as top-tier commercial dance programs across the country, including Pace University and the University of Arizona.
As a director and choreographer, Spencer’s career spans Broadway, television, and film. He made his Broadway debut at just ten years old and went on to perform in five Broadway shows. He was the youngest recipient of the Fred Astaire Award for Best Male Dancer on Broadway for his performance in Cry-Baby. He also appeared in movie musicals such as Hairspray, Across the Universe, and Footloose, as well as the TV series Smash. He transitioned into choreography early in his career, serving as a resident choreographer for 10 seasons on So You Think You Can Dance and earning two Emmy nominations. His Broadway choreography credits include Head Over Heels, Falsettos, Spring Awakening, and the Tony-winning revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as well as his recent Off-Broadway hit Drag: The Musical. He has staged performances for the Academy Awards, the Tony Awards, the Emmy Awards, the Latin Grammys, and many of your favorite scripted television shows. Spencer has also fostered a generation of assistants and associates who are now celebrated Broadway choreographers in their own right, further expanding his impact on the industry.
Spencer’s teaching is rooted in the belief that every step can carry intention and tell a story. He encourages you to bring acting and emotion into all of your movements and transitions so your dancing becomes an engaging performance, not just a sequence of steps. Spencer loves teaching in a variety of styles—from classic Broadway and old-school jazz reminiscent of the MGM movie musicals like Singin’ in the Rain, to contemporary and street jazz. He especially loves quirky pop choreography like the movement he creates for massive nightlife events performing alongside world-renowned DJs such as Diplo and John Summit. His own training was incredibly diverse, growing up at the top studios in New York and Los Angeles with iconic mentors like Marguerite Derricks. He even spent several years on scholarship at the School of American Ballet. The versatility of his dance background and professional work is fully reflected in his classes.
Many of Spencer’s masterclasses are run like mock auditions, giving you real-world tools to stand out in the room. Having auditioned professionally since childhood and now working regularly on the casting side as a director and choreographer, Spencer offers unmatched insight into what the industry is truly looking for today. From how you walk in the room, what you wear, what you do before the choreography starts, and even where you stand in the room, every choice matters. In his classes, you’ll not only gain sharper technique, elevated performance, and nuanced musicality, but also the confidence and awareness to walk into your next audition fully prepared to succeed.
LOS ANGELES 
