Jonathan Christopher Carey

Jonathan Christopher Carey, age 47, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on September 30, 2026, in Nashville.

Born on September 16, 1979, in Nashville and raised in Brentwood, Tennessee, Jonathan possessed an extraordinary gift for creativity and artistic expression from an early age. His passion for dance was evident almost as soon as he could walk. In fact, his family often joked that he learned to moonwalk before he learned to walk.

He earned an Associate Degree in Commercial Entertainment from Columbia State Community College in Franklin, Tennessee.

That early passion blossomed into an accomplished career in the entertainment industry. Jonathan spent several years performing at Dollywood and dedicated countless hours to dancing and teaching, sharing his talents and passion for dance with others.

Throughout his career, Jonathan had the opportunity to perform alongside and collaborate with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Lauren Alaina. One of his most notable accomplishments was traveling the world as a dancer on Taylor Swift’s Fearless Tour. He also appeared in her music videos for Love Story and You Belong with Me, as well as the documentary series Taylor Swift: Journey to Fearless.

Jonathan’s talents extended to film and television, including appearances in the 2011 film Footloose and the television series The Vampire Diaries. His career took him from Nashville to Los Angeles and onto stages around the world, where he shared his gifts through dance, choreography, and performance.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jonathan was a gifted musician, writer, and visual artist. His creativity knew no boundaries, and his ability to express himself through so many different forms of art was truly remarkable.

Jonathan is survived by his parents, Jim Carey and Laurie Carey; his brother, Jamie Carey (Ayla); his sister, Christini Carey McMillan (Adam); his nieces and nephews, Cayden, Kinlee, Kappel, Kingston, Magnolia, and Ryman; and his uncle, Tony Carey.

He was preceded in death by his niece, Ember Carey; his grandparents, Jeni Freeland Berry (Gigi), Robert Carey (Grandpa), and Jane Carey (Nana); and his aunts, Donna Alicoate and Rita Carey.

Though Jonathan’s journey through life was not always easy, his story was so much more than its challenges. He was deeply loved by so many, and he will be remembered for his extraordinary artistic gifts, his creative spirit, and the unique mark he left on the world. While his time here ended far too soon, the beauty of what he created and the memories he leaves behind will continue to live on.

The family has chosen to honor Jonathan’s memory with a private burial.