Caroline McLaughlin's lifelong association with dance lead her to the beginning of a teaching career in 1986 and the eventual founding of Studio 5•6•7•8 in 1992. Graduating with an honours degree in Fitness & Lifestyle Management from George Brown College, she is certified through the CDTA, Ontario Fitness Council, Can Fit Pro and the National Coaching Certification Program. Now removed from her once successful competitive career, Mrs. McLaughlin maintains a busy schedule which is dedicated in part to choreographing and adjudicating at numerous competitions throughout Canada and the United States.

A firm believer that a tutorial system propagating hard work, discipline and fun provides classes with a nice balance, Mrs. McLaughlin feels these virtues ensure each student achieves maximum enjoyment and benefit within themselves, both emotionally and physically, thereby offering them the greatest chance for long-term retention of the artistic fundamentals learned. The success of those students attending her dynamic classes in Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Ballet and Musical Theatre lay testament to those beliefs

Melissa Boylan - P.A.E.C certified
Jazz | Acro | Hip Hop

Melissa brought dance into her life at the age of four and was competing by the age of six. She was born and raised in Brantford but has had the opportunity to compete through out Canada and the United States. Over her years of dance she has studied Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Tap and Hip-Hop. In 2003 she graduated with her General Arts and Science Health diploma from Conestoga College.

Melissa started teaching in 2000 and has continued developing her dance skills over the years by participating in dance conventions, competitions and community events. Melissa is excited to join the family at Studio 5•6•7•8 and looks forward to sharing her dance skills.

Katie Wallace
Acro | Tap | Jazz | Hip Hop

Katie started gymnastics at age 3 and has taken Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Ballet, Pointe and Lyrical Jazz at the studio since it opened in 1992. She received her Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University in 2008 after graduating with an honours degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Waterloo .

Katie started assisting at the studio in 1998 and was introduced to teaching in 2000. She hopes to motivate and encourage students at Studio 5678 in attaining their inner strengths and abilities and discovering what truly inspires them. S he continues to develop her teaching and dance skills by attending dance workshops, conventions and university competitions.  She is eager to continue participating in classes and workshops and looks forward to the years to come.

Nichol Waldick - P.A.E.C certified
Ballet

At the late age of 8, Nichol started dancing ballet and jazz at a local dance studio in Simcoe but felt more drawn to ballet, so she completed the recommended exams through the Royal Academy of Dancing and since receiving exceptional marks, she tried out for the National Ballet in Toronto and has never looked back! Taking some time off to complete a post-secondary education in Accounting and getting married, Nichol realized that ballet was the missing piece!

Nichol is so excited to be joining the Studio 5 6 7 8 team and is eager to teach this wonderful art to other children. It has been a long road to get where she is today and is actively working towards her Advanced Foundations exam. Nichol is grateful for the wonderful teachers that have helped her become the dancer and teacher she is today and is excited to pass some of those qualities on to other dancers.

“dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another”

Nicole Norsworthy - P.A.E.C certified
Tap | Jazz | Ballet | Acro

Nicole is a hardworking individual with an intense passion for performing, and a true love for teaching. Nicole began her training at Studio 5•6•7•8 at the age of four, and throughout her 16 years with the studio she trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Acro, Lyrical and Hip Hop. She was also a competitive dancer for 12 years, where she won various awards, scholarships, earned top scores and titles including "Overall Top Dancer" two years in a row at Dancefest.

Upon graduating high school, Nicole decided she wanted to pursue a career in dance and theater. She was accepted into the prestigious Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto where she trained in singing, acting, and dancing. Nicole graduated the Randolph in 2009 with honors, and was the recipient of the "Triple Threat Award" for her graduating class. During her time at Randolph she was scouted by the artistic director of ProArteDanza, Roberto Campanella who offered her a position to train in his ballet summer intensive where she would work with Canadian ballet legend, Evelyn Hart.

Nicole has worked with some of the top musical theater and dance choreographers in Canada including, Linda Garneau, Faye Rauw, Jerome Bobb, and George Randolph himself. Nicole recently played the role of "Cookie" in the musical production of Smile (2009) where she was also the dance captain, and was a performer in the 2009 Dance Ontario showcase, as well as being a featured dancer on Breakfast Television. Nicole continues to train and work in the industry, but is thrilled to be back teaching at Studio 5•6•7•8. She hopes to spread her knowledge and passion for dance to her students.

Chelsea Sek
Tap | Jazz | Ballet | Hip Hop

Chelsea started her dance training locally at the age of two in the dance genres of jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, and acrobatics. Upon graduating from high school she travelled to Spain where she ran the dance program for a Canadian themed residential camp. She received her Bachelor of Science Honors Kinesiology from McMaster University, where she was also a dancer in the McMaster Jazz and the McMaster Modern Dance Company’s.

Chelsea began assistant teaching in jazz, ballet, tap and acrobatics at the age of 14 and took on her own classes at the age of 16. She continued her teaching at McMaster University and also took choreography courses leading to her choreographed pieces in the company. As a member of Dance Masters of America she travelled to places such as Miami and New Orleans to partake in competitions, workshops, and dance pageants. With the McMaster Dance Company she travelled to Ohio and New York to participate in the American College Dance Festival competitions and workshops. She is currently a CFL cheerleader for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and plans to continue with this new and exhilarating performance outlet.   

Chelsea is thrilled to be a new member of the Studio 5678 team. Chelsea hopes to instill in her students her innate passion for dance and the performing arts while also developing their dance technique and performance skills. She strives to build the self-confidence and creativity of her students both on and off the stage.  

Madelaine Massey

Madelaine is a Toronto based choreographer/dancer/actress and a graduate of the Theatre program from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.  Her love for performing has given her opportunities in productions such as Hiding Divya ( film ), Choreographer’s Ball NYC, Fuse TV video countdown, From Auction Blocks to Hip Hop Tour, Foodplay Tour, Toronto Raiders Dance Team and most recently High School Musical 2 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. 

Madelaine is a member of SASS Entertainment.  She has performed with artists such as American Idol finalist Aloha Mi’sho, Serafina, and Juno nominee artist Blues Underdog.  She currently dances and choreographs for Peter Jackson in stage shows such as Akon’s “Freedom” concert, Classified Tour, Busta Rhymes in concert, Royce da 5’9’ and in his “Paperboy” and “Come Over” music videos which can be seen on Much Music and Rap city.  Madelaine is also proud to be a finalist on this year’s season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada.  She looks forward to a great year in dance and is excited to be a part of Studio5•6•7•8.

Nicole Careswell
Jazz | Acrobatics Instructor

Nicole was born, raised and still resides in Brantford, Ontario. She began taking lessons in recreational gymnastics at the age of 4, and started competing at the age of 6. While attending high school Nicole became actively involved in both the gymnastics team and the cheerleading squad. In 1992 she graduated from Mohawk College with her Early Childhood Education diploma.

During the following 8 years she worked in the daycare field with children aged 2 months to 12 years. Nicole joined Studio 5•6•7•8 in 1995 as an Acrobatics Instructor. Since then she has added Pre-Dance, Jazz, Tiny Tots and Choreography to her list of credits. Nicole continues to learn and grow by attending various workshops through the National Coaching Certification Program, the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and the Performing Arts Educators of Canada.

While reflecting over her involvement with the Studio during the past 12 years, Nicole has found it to be a very rewarding experience. It is very gratifying for her to watch and be involved with so many young dancers (many of whom started out with her at the age of 3 in Pre-Dance) as they have grown and matured into amazing recreational and competitive dancers. To see all of these talented dancers succeed in all areas of dance reinforces her love of teaching. As always, Nicole is delighted to be a part of the Studio 5678 family, and she looks forward to the years to come as we as teachers nurture and instruct a new group of talented young dancers.

Alex Linseman
Tap | Jazz | Acro | Hip Hop

Born in Kirkland Lake, Alex was asked at the young age of three to join the local Jsano School of the Arts dance program.  After completing two years in pre dance and  tap, her family moved to Brantford.  At the age of 6 she started her first year at Studio 5678 and after two years of recreational dancing joined the competitive team.  Alex has won many special and overall awards over her 11 years of competitive dancing.  She has been trained in jazz, tap, ballet, acro, hip hop, lyrical and pointe.  
 
Alex volunteered as an assistant teacher for 3 years in acro and tap and has been a counsellour/ dance teacher for Studio 5678's Summer Dance Camp for the past 6 years. 
 
Currently a grade 12 student in the French Immersion Program and avid rugby player at Brantford Collegiate Institute, she is extremely excited to begin her career teaching dance at the studio where she has grown up and that she has loved for many years.