November Featured Artist, Caroline McLaughlin

November’s Featured Artist is Caroline McLaughin, the Artistic Director of Studio 5.6.7.8 in Brantford with skills in many artistic forms including dance, drama, singing and aerial arts.

Caroline grew up in Toronto dancing and singing her whole life. She began teaching at 16 and that was the spark she needed to pursue educating children. She is certified through Performing Arts Educators of Canada (P.A.E.C.) as well as Acrobatic Arts, which continually offers workshops, seminars and training to keep her skills current. She takes her job very seriously, never forgetting the vital role she plays in children’s lives, and that is a responsibility and privilege that she feels she was born to do.

Dance and trends in the dance worlds have changed in many ways since Caroline was a young child. She maintains that there is no replacement for the foundation of dance and the core remains the same. Dance promotes a healthy lifestyle, builds character along with lifelong friendships, and feels awesome. She adds, “people all over the world love to dance and there’s a reason for that!”

Caroline opened Studio 5.6.7.8 30 years ago in Brantford and just recently the studio relocated from Dundson St. to its new home at 85 Charing Cross St. The studio doubled its size from 4,000 sq. ft. to 8,000 sq. ft. to better serve its expanding client base, offering classes in: tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, hip hop, musical theatre, and so much more. They recently expanded their services to include vocal training as well as an aerial arts program. Studio 5.6.7.8 is the only location to do aerial arts in Brantford, offering weekly classes, one-time pop-up classes, private group classes, etc. Caroline says, “act, sing, dance and now FLY…you really can train to be a triple threat at our facility.”

When asked what tips she has for developing artists, Caroline says, “Believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be something or do something you want.” After thirty years in the business, Caroline still has plans to learn and grow. Just like other sports groups, Studio 5.6.7.8 closed during lockdowns and said, while Dance Ontario has always been a helpful resource to her over the years, the organization was particularly impactful to her and all dance schools in Ontario during the pandemic. Caroline also credits her husband for his inspiration and strong support of her artistic endeavours. She says, “I have big objectives for my business and don’t have any plans on slowing down. He constantly supports me and helps me keep it all together when things get tough.”

When Caroline first moved to Brantford she said it was a bit of a culture shock. “I wasn’t used to the friendliness, the close-knit community and the perks of a small city with a country feel. I love that my backyard is literally a field with a walking/biking path where I can escape to when I need peace.” Thirty years ago, many people told Caroline that her business wouldn’t survive because she didn’t grow up in Brantford, so it’s an incredible feat to look back on the challenges, successes and the positive impact she has had on thousands of young people. Caroline says this is the best part: “I enjoy seeing the accomplishments of my students and the joy on their faces when they dance.”

When asked what other local artists or groups she finds inspiring, Caroline says “I am in awe of the many local artists displayed at Glenhyrst Art Gallery, as well as the Branford Symphony Orchestra, who I try to see as much as I can.  I also have a lot of Donn Zver's pottery and I think he is really talented in his approach.”

Visit Caroline in person at Studio 5.6.7.8 at 85 Charing Cross Street in Brantford or contact her by phone at 519-752-6678 or e-mail dance@studio5678.com

Visit Studio 5.6.7.8 on their website for more information about the studio and its current programming.