Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Guerra.
Hi Kennedy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How curious it is to be asked one’s story… so I’ll begin with today. I’m 26 years old—the CEO of Royal y Ritmo Events & Entertainment, the manager of Fred Astaire Dance Studio Imperial Point, a professional dancer, an avid learner, and a globe-trotter who has lived in Thailand, Uruguay, Germany, Costa Rica, and the United States. At my core, I am deeply creative and committed to building a world centered on unity, peace, connection, community, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
There are many versions of my life story, but the one that feels most meaningful begins with dance. My connection to dance started before I was born—my parents met in Austin, Texas while out two-stepping. They fell in love through the power of movement, and dancing remained one of their favorite date nights as they nurtured the marriage they once had.
Fast-forward to 17-year-old Kennedy: determined, curious, and ready to explore her roots. I graduated high school early and moved to Costa Rica to learn Spanish and reconnect with my ancestral lineage. I lived with a host family, took language classes, and fully immersed myself in the culture. One of my favorite classes was a cultural immersion course—which led me to my very first social dance class. That moment became the quiet beginning of everything.
After college, life took an unexpected turn. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia and joined a tech company called Ciena Communications—not the career I’d envisioned, as I had studied to become a diplomat. I was a double major in Global Studies and Spanish, with triple a minor in European Cultural Studies, Latin American Studies, and Business Administration. But when COVID closed borders and made international diplomacy feel uncertain, I pivoted into tech. Even though I wasn’t fulfilled, I finally had the financial stability to take adult dance lessons at a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Atlanta.
Soon after, my job relocated me to Pompano Beach, Florida, where I found the Fred Astaire studio in Imperial Point. I began as a student, then became a “baby teacher,” which eventually led me to become the studio manager. Along the way, I began performing professionally, discovered the depth of leadership within me, and formed a partnership with my dear friend Dubraska Robles. Together, we founded Royal y Ritmo Events & Entertainment.
And that, I believe, is a great place to center this interview around
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
By no means has the road been smooth—in fact, I would say it has been the complete antithesis. Every step forward has felt like walking on uncertain ground, guided more by intuition than by any clear map. Some of my most pivotal struggles came from choosing to leave a stable tech job to pursue my dream of becoming a dancer. It was a decision that worried many people who love me, and I carried that concern with me as I stepped into a path filled with risk and possibility in equal measure.
Living in different countries also brought its own challenges. Being immersed in cultures and customs I didn’t understand, not speaking the language, and at times being the minority for the first time—all of these experiences forced deep inner growth. When you place yourself in the unknown, you are confronted with aspects of yourself and the world that you might never encounter otherwise. It reshapes you.
Another important layer of my journey is the multicultural team I work with at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Our owner, Ruslan Meshkov, is Russian. My instructor, friend, and cofounder of Royal y Ritmo, Dubraska Robles, is Venezuelan. And my boyfriend and fellow instructor, Stanislav Morozov, is Ukrainian. These are some of the most politically charged nationalities in the world right now, yet within our walls, we stand united. We learn from each other, support each other, and build dreams together.
I take deep pride in that. It’s a living reminder that unity is possible—even when the world insists on division—and that shared purpose can bridge any gap.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many hats, but all of my work centers around one mission: using dance, creativity, and community to inspire deeper human connection.
I am the CEO and cofounder of Royal y Ritmo Events & Entertainment, a movement-based entertainment company that blends artistry, culture, and storytelling. We specialize in dynamic performances, immersive experiences, and creative direction that uplifts both audiences and artists. I’m also the manager of Fred Astaire Dance Studios Imperial Point, where I teach, train, and help guide a multicultural team of instructors while fostering a space that feels like home to our students.
As a professional dancer, I specialize in ballroom, Latin, and social styles, but what I am most known for is the energy I bring into the room. I lead with grace, warmth, intuition, and a deep desire to make people feel seen. Whether I am choreographing a wedding dance, performing onstage, or producing a show, my work is rooted in emotion, storytelling, and connection.
What I am most proud of is the community my team and I have cultivated. We are a studio and a company made up of people from all over the world—Russia, Venezuela, Ukraine, the United States, and beyond. At a time when the world is divided, we stand united. We collaborate, dream, and build together. I think that unity, especially in the arts, is one of the most powerful things we offer.
What sets me apart is my ability to bridge worlds: diplomacy and creativity, leadership and sensitivity, structure and magic. Having lived in multiple countries, navigated different cultures, and shifted careers from tech to dance, I bring a global and deeply intuitive perspective to everything I do. My work is not just about teaching steps or producing events—it’s about shaping experiences that move people, open hearts, and remind us of our shared humanity.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me in several ways, depending on what they’re seeking to create. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios Imperial Point, individuals and couples can train with me directly—whether they’re preparing for a wedding dance, developing their social dancing, or pursuing performance-level artistry. I love guiding people not just through steps, but through confidence, expression, and connection.
Through Royal y Ritmo Events & Entertainment, we collaborate with brands, creators, artists, and event producers who want to bring movement, culture, and storytelling into their experiences. This includes performances, creative direction, themed entertainment, cultural showcases, and full-scale event productions. We’re always excited to partner with organizations whose values align with ours—community, artistry, unity, and joy.
People can also support my work by attending our studio events, joining our socials, booking us for performances, or simply sharing our mission with others. One of the most meaningful forms of support is amplifying the spaces we create—spaces built to unite people through dance, culture, and connection.
Whether someone wants to dance, collaborate creatively, or help expand the impact of our mission, my door—and our studio door—is always open.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.royalyritmo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalyritmo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JZLaKgt4D/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@royalyritmo
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/fads_imperialpoint
Image Credits
Diego Maldonado
Stanislav Kozub
