Burgandi Trejo Phoenix is a stage actor, voiceover actor, voice actor, dancer, writer, and singer. She began dancing ballet at just two and a half years old and started singing in the choir at age five. From an early age, performance was part of her world.
Growing up, Burgandi was captivated by television. She admired icons like Carol Burnett, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Watching their performances sparked something in her. At a young age, Burgandi knew what she wanted to do with her life — act, perform, and make people laugh.
Through them, she also learned that making people laugh is deeply connected to culture and history, and that it is something truly needed.
- “If you are going to be part of a community and claim your indigeneity and roots, it takes work and a lot of work to belong to that community, and everybody has that responsibility.”
-Burgandi Trejo Phoenix
Watch the interview with Burgandi Trejo Phoenix.
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How Burgandi Turned Her Childhood Interest Into A Career
Burgandi shares that she trained in ballet and grew up surrounded by culture and performance, though not specifically theatre. While acting opportunities were not always consistent, what stayed with her was how it felt to make people laugh. She loved that feeling, and once she decided to pursue acting seriously, no one could stop her.
At the time, she was working as a real estate and escrow assistant with a steady paycheck. When the company began closing, she saw it as her moment. In January 2010, Burgandi took a risk and moved to Los Angeles to look for an acting school. Relentless by nature and willing to take the risk, she chose to bet on herself.
She sold nearly everything she owned and committed to building her career independently. Within two days of moving, she found a job. She lived in Long Beach and drove to Tarzana, a significant distance for those familiar with Los Angeles, but she never doubted that it couldn’t work.
Now, 16 years later, she reflects on how much discipline and specificity the journey required. Her background in ballet gave her the discipline she needed to transition quickly. She kept her possibilities open and was willing to say yes. That openness helped her grow, believe in herself, and go after her dream, even during moments when she considered changing direction, moving, and earning another certification.
Sixteen years later, she still hasn’t stopped.
Burgandi Involvement in Spirit Rangers, And What It Meant For Her
For Burgandi, Spirit Rangers was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was not only an opportunity to use her voice, but also a chance to combine voice acting and singing while representing Indigenous and Native communities. The project allowed children across the country and around the world to see themselves represented on screen.
She auditioned for the role even though she had never done anything like it before. Being cast and remaining part of the series for three seasons became a deeply meaningful experience and a special milestone in her career.
How The Landscape of Indigenous Roles Has Changed
Burgandi explains that there are many Indigenous storytellers creating meaningful work today, and it is important, depending on the type of story, that the stories be told not only by Indigenous people but also by those who have lived the experience. Authenticity matters in Indigenous Story Telling, especially when cultural identity and lived realities are involved.
She also shares that while the landscape has grown, it is still not as expansive as it needs to be. There are a lot of storytellers who have not been put on the map yet, a lot of native stories that need to be told. At the same time, there remains hesitation within the community, which can make it difficult for some voices to step forward and share their stories.
Claiming Your Indigeneity and Roots
Burgandi grew up aware of her Mexican heritage and that her family had Indigenous roots, but it was not openly discussed. Her Tata, in particular, avoided the topic, making it something that was largely off-limits. It took years for Burgandi and her family to learn more, reconnect, and become active participants in their community and culture.
She emphasizes that for anyone reconnecting with their roots, it is essential to do the work to understand and belong, so that they do not claim something they are not. Claiming your indigeneity and heritage is not just about identity; it requires effort, responsibility, and authentic engagement with the community.
Because of this, some people hesitate to share their Indigenous stories publicly. Burgandi explains that being truly part of the community allows people to discuss their culture openly, move past fear of judgment, and shift from simply claiming descent to genuinely living and honoring it.
How Native Story Telling Can Heal Insecurities Around Identity
Native storytelling is deeply connected to identity. These are stories that members of the community can relate to and see themselves represented in. Burgandi shares that almost everybody she has spoken to has had a lived experience in which they felt like they weren't “good enough,” where their identity was questioned, displayed, or subjected to discrimination.
She emphasizes that the more these stories are shared, the broader Indigenous Storytelling becomes, but it must be done with respect for community and cultural protocols. People should not speak of Indigenous culture without knowledge, research, or genuine involvement in the community. While there is a desire to engage with and accept Indigenous storytelling, there is also caution: the community needs to see that storytellers are doing the work, which helps prevent separation and ensures authenticity.
Opportunities and How You Can Start Building Your Career Path Now
Burgandi encourages anyone interested in pursuing a career in entertainment to go for it. If, over time, you realize it is not something you truly enjoy, that clarity is important. But she stresses that you have to give yourself the opportunity to find out. Feeling worried or scared is normal. What matters is taking the first step.
She suggests looking for opportunities in your hometown or online where you can learn the basics, including setting up a simple voice-over space and experimenting with new skills. Start finding your voice. Don’t be afraid to try new things or to look silly in the process.
Keep your possibilities open and be willing to say yes, it will help you grow, believe in yourself, and go after your dream.
-Burgandi Trejo Phoenix
Burgandi describes the voice-over booth as one of the freest places to create. It’s just you, the microphone, and the booth, no one watching. When you let yourself loosen up, the range of voices and characters that come out can be surprising. She also explains that the majority of work as an actor is play, whether it’s a voice-over audition, an in-person audition, or a self-tape audition. So do the voice-over work. It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun work.
Burgandi's main takeaway is simple: have fun and enjoy the process. When you get out of your own way, that’s when you do your best work. For her, when she focused too much on perfection, she found herself booking less work. When she let go, explored without expectations, she became the busiest.
It's not just about knowing yourself, it's also about being able to face yourself, sit with yourself, and put yourself out there not just to entertain people but to be a storyteller, to make a difference, and make people feel seen.
-Burgandi Trejo Phoenix
Burgandi Next Project and What She is Working On
Burgandi has a couple of voiceover projects that she plans to announce on Instagram. In addition to voice work, she is actively writing and preparing to share her new content with her audience. She also has additional voice-over material coming up, responding to requests from her fans and followers.
Connect With Burgandi
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burgandiphoenix
