Ryan Heffington

Dancer, choreographer

Ryan Heffington is on a mission to get the world to dance.

Why you should listen

A Grammy-nominated and Emmy-winning choreographer, Ryan Heffington has worked on everything from film to fashion, commercials to music videos. In March 2020, he became a north star of empowerment and self-expression for hundreds of thousands of people through his free, online dance class SweatFest. He believes everyone can access more happiness through dance.

Heffington pioneered contemporary dance in a commercial context in works including Sia's "Chandelier," HBO's Euphoria, Spike Jonze's commercials for Kenzo World and Apple's "Welcome Homepod," featuring FKA Twigs, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film tick, tick...BOOM! and Netflix's The OA.

Ryan Heffington’s TED Talk

Ryan Heffington
How dance can unleash your inner joy
8 minutes 56 seconds
"We all have our own beautiful ways of moving, and this is worth celebrating," says dancer and choreographer Ryan Heffington. Inviting you to reconsider your connection to dance, he shows how even everyday experiences -- tying your shoes, rocking a baby, whisking up some mac and cheese -- can offer choreographic inspiration and help you find joy and release when you need it most. After the talk, dancers Nico Lonetree and Ryan Spencer perform a dazzling routine infused with the humor and beauty of daily movements.
Posted Sep 2022

Ryan Heffington

Why you should listen

Ryan Heffington’s TED Talk

More news and ideas from Ryan Heffington

New “TED Radio Hour” three-part series explores “Mind, Body, Spirit”

Play: Notes from Session 7 of TED2022