Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn McLaughlin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started dance lessons as a young child and have been dancing ever since. My roles have changed – student, performer, teacher, choreographer and project manager but my love of dance has always been there with the desire to share this love with others. As a native of Atlanta, I spent my preprofessional years with Southern Ballet of Atlanta. This company which included child and adult performers prepared me to to attend college for dance. Sadly, after more than 35 years Southern folded while I was away at school. Returning from school without a dance home, I worked in retail and the hotel business before getting back in the studio with a modern company and starting my teaching career. I taught for several dance schools and organizations before founding my own school, Movement Arts Atlanta, in 2011.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Do any of us have a smooth road? Dance artists, as do many artists, have a difficult time finding enough work to make a living. However, it always seemed to work out for me even if it was not as I planned. It seems that the second part of this is the most important. For example, I worked with a very challenging director for more than 13 years and our separation was very difficult – cross words, false claims, public lies, but without that break, I would not have started my own school and had the courage to say yes to bigger projects.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I believe that one of the things that makes me and my school, Movement Arts Atlanta, different is that I actively take the position that I am to be of service to my students, their families and the art form. This attitude or culture informs my school and the projects I undertake. I see how it works in the joy of my young students as they master movement in class and in the high quality work produced by the artists that I work with in projects like A Time with Isadora.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Well, I am the oldest child so, a bit bossy and take charge. Both good qualities for my life now. Given that I started dance lessons at 5, my interest has always been dance. I did love horses and violin in my elementary years but dance won out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.movementartsatlanta.net/
- Instagram: @movementartsatlanta
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MovementArtsAtlanta
Image Credits
All photos by John Ramspott
