Singer, Dancer, Future Star

Carrie Sullivan has 10 years of theater, singing and dance under her belt. She is now working on an album. Courtesy Photo

The lights, the camera and the live audiences captivate junior Carrie Sullivan. Being center stage is what performing is all about.

Performing for more than 10 years, Sullivan has had some of the most rewarding opportunities to showcase her talents. She has performed in front of countless audiences including many with high profile actors in California and even a former president. She is working to release her first professionally recorded album.

“I started singing when I was three years old, and from there it has progressed into 10 years of theater, singing and dance,” Sullivan said.  

Being a performer has taken a toll on the 20-year-old’s family and education. The Sullivan family has had a lot to overcome. Sullivan’s 14-year-old sister Alana is also an aspiring performer and the two spend their spare time promoting their talents.

“My family and I rented an apartment in Los Angeles and focused a lot of our time on bettering our performing skills,” Sullivan said.

She decided that the best way to stay on top of school and her dreams would be to enroll in a home school program and to graduate high school early at the age of 17. She spent a lot of time traveling, so it was important for her to be able to multitask.

“I have been trying to put my name out there as a performer,” Sullivan said.

At 17, she caught a break performing for the Clinton administration and in a benefit show in Los Angeles called, “WeSPARK,” starring Tom Hanks. She also played a minor role in the 2000 drama “Pay It Forward,” with 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Award Nominees Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt.

“I love the theater. It encompasses all my abilities into one and I love the aspect of having a live audience cheering,” Sullivan said.

She can also add singing the National Anthem for the Reebok Summer League in Las Vegas to her list of accomplishments.

Sullivan is continually promoting her music through her Web site, CarrieCity.com. The Web site allows viewers to listen to recorded tracks and keep updated with new tracks and events in “Carrie’s City” through a fan-emailing list.

“We have the Web site up now, but soon I will be creating a MySpace music profile to help promote the album and shows,” Sullivan said.

Alain Kennedy, a hip-hop instructor at UNLV, has been teaching for 10 years and has a record label with KV records. He has worked closely with Sullivan and has choreographed performances with her for the past two years.

“She is currently working on an album with her independent label.” Kennedy said. “The album is a Latin mix of J-Lo and Shakira with a little Britney Spears pop.”

The tracks include “Vamos,” a Latin beat dance song and “Raindrops Will Fall,” a lyrical ballad that shows off Sullivan’s wide range of vocal talents.

“She is an amazing performer. She is so diverse in her singing and dancing,” Kennedy said.

Sullivan claims her album to be inspired by Latin backbeats and old school Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.

Some of the major influences in her life and career are famous singers, songwriters and award-winning legends.

“Last year for my birthday, I went to an Alicia Keys concert at the MGM with my sister. Even though she doesn’t dance, I was so entertained by just the piano and vocals,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan is keeping busy during the holiday season as she has an exciting lineup of performances. In December so far, she is rehearsing for a show in New York and plans to return for a performance at Opportunity Village. She will also be singing at events for the St. Thomas Moore Church in Henderson.

“I have a few shows coming up in the winter, mainly Christmas shows. Right now I am writing lyrics for my debut album, which takes up a lot of my time,” Sullivan said.

While working on her career in music, Sullivan is also going to school full-time as a broadcast journalism major in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.

“I hope to use the contacts I meet through my major to help me with my career in the future,” Sullivan said.