Known for her supportive teaching style, Kelly encourages experimentation and problem-solving, fostering a collaborative environment where students gain confidence and bring their imaginative ideas to life through compelling visual storytelling.
Kelly earned a BFA in Live Action Film/Video at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where she developed a strong foundation in cinematic art. After graduating, she joined the world-renowned Wētā FX, contributing to the groundbreaking visual effects of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Avatar, and many other films. Her work there immersed her in cutting-edge digital production pipelines that shaped her passion for the visual effects industry.
Building on her professional experience, Kelly transitioned into education, where she now shares her technical expertise, industry insight, and creative enthusiasm with the next generation of digital artists.