43 - Kelly Sweeney: Descendants: Rise of Red, Shakira, J Lo

Episode Summary:  Kelly Sweeney, a Mexican-American dancer with an impressive career that began at 15. Kelly shares how she transitioned from musical theater and gymnastics to dance after an ankle condition led her to focus on training seriously at age 10. By 15, she had signed with the MSA agency, launching her professional career. Kelly talks about completing the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) at 16 to work as a legal adult, allowing her to balance her dance career and academics. She also highlights how her bilingualism and dual citizenship have helped her connect with students and colleagues in places like Argentina and Costa Rica. Kelly describes how her choreography for Disney's Descendants Red went viral, attracting attention from music labels and increasing her social media following. She shares her experiences working with Disney and attending the Descendants premiere. Kelly answers questions about her creative process, favorite jobs (such as performing at the Oscars and working with Shakira), and overcoming creative blocks. She emphasizes the importance of mental health breaks and finding inspiration in music and visuals. Kelly shares the biggest lessons she's learned, including being your own teacher and managing time wisely. She also highlights what she looks for in a dancer—technique, attention to detail, and performance balance. Kelly praises Jennifer Lopez's work ethic and shares her aspirations for choreographing more music videos and movies. She also talks about the importance of using social media to motivate and inspire others. Kelly discusses how her Latina heritage has played a significant role in her career, advising dancers to embrace and showcase their cultural identity. She emphasizes the importance of practicing choreography retention and the value of ballet in her dance development. Throughout the episode, Kelly provides valuable insights and advice for aspiring dancers, stressing the importance of persistence, creativity, and self-discipline. Show Notes: (0:03) Kelly Sweeney's Introduction and Early Dance Journey (5:55) Balancing Dance and Academics (14:56) The Viral Choreography of Descendants Red (24:06) Q&A with Young Dancers (30:18) Advice for Aspiring Dancers (39:07) Inspiration and Future Goals (59:46) Cultural Identity and Language Skills Biography: Born in Mexico and raised in L.A., Kelly Sweeney began her professional dance and choreography career at 15. Since then, she has danced and choreographed for major performing artists, including Jlo, Bebe Rexha, Lil Uzi, Neyo, Shakira, and Nick Jonas.  She has also worked in motion pictures, music videos, NBA teams and award shows. Kelly’s very passionate about her teaching, and has fixed teaching slots at Millenium and Playground LA studios as well as major national and international dance conventions. Connect on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/kellysweeney1/