Imagine being twenty one years old, living your best globe-trotting life overseas whilst getting to do what you love for a living. Imagine being an industry professional since the age of thirteen and having done multiple musicals, international tours and countless performances - having celebrity best friends (think Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler) and amassing over 500, 000 followers across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, making you a bona fide influencer. Top this off by throwing in a strong work ethic and a desire to change the world for better, AND having a plant based food-gram that will induce instant drooling and you’ve just pictured life as professional dancer and performer Cameron Field. The talented young Aussie grew up immersed in dance, taking lessons from the age of five at Planetdance, Menai, before trading in his hometown of Kirrawee, New South Wales, for the bright lights and snow covered beauty of Vancouver, Canada at age nineteen. Cameron was already well and truly on the path to national and international recognition long before leaving Australia though, the young performer appeared in Musicals such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Addams Family, joined the likes of Dance Moms’ Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler and The Next Step’s Brittany and Victoria on their respective international tours, and became a favourite familiar face at events like The Australian Dance Festival where he performed along side the renowned Dream Dance Company. It’s probably this combination of clear-as-day talent, a winning personality, and a seemingly picture-perfect life of travel, dance and delicious food that have led to Cameron’s growing profile and huge social media following; However speaking to Cameron about dance, life, lessons and ambitions, we’re quickly reminded that only those with a constant, incessant drive to improve will get to enjoy ‘picture perfect’ (not that they will notice, they’re already onto bigger and brighter things). See below for our interview with Cameron, who spoke to us between a busy schedule of training and auditions in his current home city, Vancouver.

E: How did dance first become a part of your life?

CF: Dance has honestly been around for as long as I can remember. From the day I was born until around age ten - my Mum owned a Gymnastics Academy that also had a Dance Studio attached. I remember being thrown around on a trampoline by my amazing gymnast of a Mum, to then running into the Dance Studio to dance to ‘Go Speed Racer Go’. From then I moved to a dedicated Dance Studio and this is where the real love blossomed.

E: You’ve mentioned you were working professionally by age thirteen, how did this happen (and when did you realise this was something you wanted to pursue as a career)?

CF: I attended Planetdance, Menai which is one of Sydney’s most sought after performing arts studios specialising in Musical Theatre. The opportunities I received at Planetdance were like no other. I remember attending my first audition for an Opera and got the part. It was small, but certainly started a flame of loving everything involved; from the rehearsal schedule, to performing at the prestigious Sydney Opera House, meeting audience members at Stage Door post- show, and being inspired by every artist on that stage. It’s a feeling I will never forget!

E: In what moments are you happiest as a dancer?

CF: I am happiest as a dancer when I am on stage. The feeling I get up there is unmatched. I love when the music is super loud, the lights are shining bright and you feel like the only person in the room. I would always feel this way with every opportunity on stage - especially with The Dream Dance Company, performing in shows at ADF (Australian Dance Festival) or Show Business.

E: What’s something you’re passionate about?

CF: I am very passionate about my craft as an artist. Putting my all into everything that comes my way. Primarily dance, but truly anything! I also stand by being a good person to all around you as I believe this will always come back in good favour.

E: You did a lot of sports like soccer and AFL when you were younger, did you ever feel or experience any judgement/bullying from your peers when you transitioned to less ‘stereotypically’ male sports like gymnastic and dance? If so, how did you handle it and do you have any advice for others experiencing this?

CF: Growing up I definitely experienced bullying from peers regarding my choice of sport. It also made it harder to be the eldest of four boys in my family that were all addicted to NRL. I will say, I don't believe what I went through with judgement was as bad as some others face. I want to change the way dance and the artistic industry is seen amongst the young ones. It was very interesting to move away from Australia and sadly see how far behind the stigma is for boys in dance there. My advice would be to continue doing what you love. Don't hide your love for it. Prove to others that it's ok to do what makes you the happiest. They will eventually realise they were wrong and be embarrassed for the way they acted and quickly come straight back to apologise.

E: What style of dance are you most drawn to?

CF: I would say I am drawn to commercial jazz the most. I love a good combo that hits clean lines. But, I did find a big love for ‘contemporary ballet’ with my teacher Talia Fowler (a BIG inspiration!). This style changed the way I danced for the better and impacted a great sense of movement that I took with me to all styles of dance.

E: You’ve said in the past that learning to love your body was something you found challenging and that it’s very easy to just focus on flaws, what helped you shift that mindset and what would your advice be to others struggling to do the same?

CF: When I was younger, I used to eat pretty badly. Even though I was burning it off straight away, it wasn't always the healthiest and I knew it would come back to bite me. I was always the ‘chubby’ kid at dancing and even in my family of brothers. When I got older, I noticed that making healthier choices really impacted the way I felt which was very important to me. My advice on this topic would be taking time to change the little things and it will accumulate to a bigger and more positive difference. It’s your body - so do what makes you feel good.

E: We’ve noticed you have a love of delicious, plant-based eating (your insta is definitely food-porn material). What do love about plant-based eating, and what would be your ideal post-dance meal?

CF: I love food SO much. When I turned plant based in 2019, I quickly grew a big love for making my own meals. It was like another form of creativity to explore. Mixing and matching ingredients together that I had NO idea existed. Eating plant based made a big difference in how I felt in my gut. My ultimate post-dance meal right now would be a vegan omelette with mushrooms, spinach and vegan sausage or protein cereal topped with peanut butter.

E: What have been some of your favourite dance highlights on your journey so far?

CF: I have so many favourite highlights to choose from. The one that comes straight to mind is my relationship with Marko Panzic and The Dream Dance Company. From touring as a faculty member of The Dream Experience, to performing onstage at ADF - truly a feeling like no other. I also loved touring nationally with reality TV show Dance Mom’s stars Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, and The Next Step’s Brittany and Victoria.

E: What do you love most about the dance industry, and what would you like to change about it if you could?

CF: I love the sense of community the dance industry brings. Especially in Australia. From an outsider’s perspective - it seems very big, but it’s actually very small and I love that about it. Everyone kind of knows everyone, will give you a wave if walking past most of the time, and will 100% comment on your latest dance video ;) Something I wish to change about the industry would be the amount of opportunities available, and getting dance the recognition and compensation it deserves.

E: What career ambitions or dreams are still on the to-do list at the moment?

CF: A big dream of mine was always to be in USA. I feel the training and opportunities there are like no other in our industry. To connect with like-minded professionals achieving goals on a day-to-day basis would be life changing. I would also love to create a space one day that focuses on healthy life choices in the industry and guiding individuals to achieve these goals in different ways to the norm.

E: Who and/or what inspires you as a dancer?

CF: I am inspired by a vast majority of individual dancers. A couple that come straight to mind are Malou Linders from Amsterdam (her lines and work of art are everything), Sean Bankhead (Lil Nas X Choreographer, changing the game for males and the way they perform with artists). I am also very inspired by music. I feel there is always so much to explore.

E: How would you describe your style of movement?

CF: I would say my style of movement is very clean and sharp hitting. This comes through with my love of commercial jazz.

E: What is something you’ve learnt from the past two years of pandemic life – any silver linings?

CF: I have learnt many, many things in the past two crazy years of life. Not only did we go through a pandemic, I moved to the other side of the world with my family, to then move to the other side of Canada, alone - trying to make a living for myself while achieving goals in my personal life and career itself. It has definitely been hard with separation from my immediate family and friends. I have learnt to choose the ones that will choose you. Support the ones that will support you. This has been a very big realisation recently.

E: As someone with an enviably bursting passport… please describe your perfect holiday:

CF: The first place that comes to mind right now is probably London or New York. I actually went to London for the first time in October 2021. I was only there for 2 nights BUT it quickly became my new favourite city. The culture, the entertainment, the fashion, the food - EVERYTHING. Next would be New York. I have never been but I am dying to go. Everyone I know says that I will fall in love and never want to leave.

E: What always makes you laugh?

CF: Probably my boyfriend. Or old videos of my friends and I. They are the best times ever and I will never change them for the world.

E: Have you found the best coffee in Vancouver yet?

CF: I actually have! Coffee in Vancouver doesn't really compare to Australia, in saying that I believe it normally depends on the milk. I looooove Milkadamia (Macadamia Milk from Australia!). It’s the best! I also love a Dirty Chai Latte from the coffee shop around the corner called Nemesis. They do a mean Dirty Chai!

E: What’s something you’re really looking forward to this year?

CF: I am looking forward to new beginnings. I want to be in a place of stability this year. I want to finally achieve a big goal of mine that I have had for a very long time. Stay tuned and cross those fingers for me!

E: What advice would you offer to aspiring dancers who would love to follow in your footsteps?

CF: I advise you to never give up. Keep on going. Aim for achievements that you dream of. Work hard and then work harder. Keep EVERYTHING. Prove your worth and always show up and give 110%.

E: Our last question is a blank one, we like to leave this space open for you to say something or share any thoughts/experiences you’d like to with our readers. Anything on your mind?

CF: My thoughts: COVID sucks. I wish going back to Australia was easier. I miss you guys - hang in there!

Follow Cameron’s journey on instagram: @cameronfield_

Article by Elly Ford,
Photography by Vanessa Mayberry

Cameron Field | Give It Your All