Welcome to
Flight Studio
At Flight we ignite in children and youth a sense of exploration, self expression and connectivity through art.
Our programs are led by artists and educators from the Stratford community who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.
Our creative arts classes offer students the space, resources, and opportunities to learn a new craft or further a passion they have been nurturing.
At Flight children will also have a ton of fun and make new friends!
Children begin to express themselves through artistic means at a very early age. Engaging with art is a vital part of their journey as individuals and a means through which they can know community. We are the woven fabric of so many different forms of self-expression. Be it singing, painting, crafting, dancing, acting, drawing, writing, playing an instrument… whatever the form may be, through seeking, practice and collaboration we learn a little more about our story and this human experience we all share. I hope that all the young artists who would like to come and play at Flight Studio will feel at home and find ways to tell their own stories through different artistic disciplines, while also finding joy and connection in learning about the stories of others.
Warmly,
Michelle Giroux
Founder
The Flight Team
Jane Czarny
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Jane believes in creating positive personal stories, especially in the realms of education, the arts, parenting and volunteerism. As a teacher, collaborator and Arts Curriculum developer for over thirty years, Jane encourages shifts in structural thinking through cultivating a growth mindset in young people.
During her longstanding career at the Bishop Strachan School, she taught Drama, English, Media Arts while directing plays, musicals, the school Nativity pageant...and forged a friendship with the wonderful Michelle Giroux!
Here in Perth County, she was gifted the role of team lead/creator and teacher of of a unique program of kinesthetic learning for the HPCDSB. In October, you can find Jane at the Avon Theatre, hosting Ghost Tours for the Festival's Meighen Forum.
Writing credits include StratFest@home’s Ghost Tours, essays in the Globe & Mail, as well as songs, stories, poems and, most recently, a YA novel (unpublished...for now). A licensed Chaplain, Jane officiates personalized Ceremonies of Love. Jane is delighted to be on the Flight Crew and is excited to collaborate with all your children!
Brooke Dufton
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An experienced performer, teacher, conductor, and clinician, Brooke Dufton holds a doctorate in Vocal Performance specializing in Vocal Pedagogy. As a performer she specializes in early music and new Canadian classical music, and she has been praised for her ‘great skill’ (Globe and Mail), ‘strong presence’ (Peterborough Examiner), and ‘beautiful tone and control’ (The Chronicle-Herald). She also adjudicates, leads masterclasses and workshops, and maintains a global private studio with students in-person and online. Her students have been awarded prestigious solo opportunities, tours, and recordings, acceptances into performance programs in Canadian and American universities, awards and scholarships from festivals, and high standing in exams.
Choir singing is near and dear to Brooke’s heart: Brooke has performed in professional choruses across Canada. Brooke has conducted a variety of ensembles and is currently the director of the Festival Sounds Chorus in Stratford.
She is an RCM-certified teacher, a member of several music teaching associations, including ORMTA, CMTA, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Brooke has taught and guest lectured for a number of institutions, including the Royal Conservatoire Scotland; the Glenn Gould School; the University of Toronto, where she was nominated for a teaching award; and Mount Allison University.
Michelle Giroux
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Michelle is an actress who has worked in the Canadian theatre, television and film industry for the past twenty-five years. After graduating from The National Theatre School she joined the Stratford Festival Acting Company. In her first two seasons, Michelle toured to the New York City Center playing William Hutt's daughter in The Miser and Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal opposite Brian Bedford at The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Other roles at Stratford include Nina in The Seagull, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Jean-Louise in To Kill a Mockingbird, Isabella in Edward II, Katerina in Brothers Karamazov, Joan of Arc in Henry VI, Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest, Elvira in Blithe Spirit, Portia in The Merchant of Venice and Rosaline in Love's Labours Lost. Michelle has also performed in plays at The Tarragon Theatre, The Factory Theatre, Crow's Theatre, The Segal Centre, GCTC, Theatre Aquarius and with Groundling Theatre. Michelle is a graduate of the inaugural Acting Program at The Canadian Film Centre. Upon graduating she was nominated for The Vancouver Film Critics' Award for Best Actress in Blood Pressure, her first feature film. Other feature film credits include Blackberry, Delia's Gone and Life in a Year. Michelle has also played recurring roles on The Hardy Boys, The Hot Zone, Mockingbird and Suits among others. Michelle lives in Stratford with her husband, Graham Abbey, her daughter Vivienne and their dog, Arlo.
Jaimie Henderson
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Jaimie is a Canadian actor & educator who recently returned back to Ontario after completing her MFA in Acting down in the States. As an actor she has explored the complex lives of characters from Shakespeare's time all the way up to the current contemporary canon at theatres both in Canada and the US. Outside of performance, Jaimie has a large background in theatre education, theatre for young people, and an extensive teaching background with students ranging from high school through university. She is certified in 3 weapon styles, a professionally trained dancer/choreographer, and fitness instructor. Jaimie is thrilled to be part of the Flight Family!
Kellen Hatanaka
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Kellen Hatanaka (b. 1987, Toronto, Canada) is a multidisciplinary artist who makes vibrant, figurative paintings and drawings that celebrate sport, design, history, and culture.
Hatanaka’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has been featured in publications including Victory Journal, ArtMaze Magazine, and Graphite Journal.
He has collaborated with clients such as Nike, Reebok, Casper, The Polaris Music Prize, Apple Music and The Toronto Blue Jays.
Hatanaka and collaborator Jon-Erik Lappano received the Governor General's Award for their book Tokyo Digs a Garden (2016). He is currently based in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
Eric Lundgren
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Eric is an American Guitarist hailing from the rural countryside in northern Wisconsin. Raised on classic and psychedelic rock, Eric cut his teeth sitting in with the cover bands of the area playing songs by CCR, Bob Segar, and Three Dog Night to name a few.
He went on to receive a formal music education studying contemporary and jazz guitar, arranging, and composition. He spent his postsecondary years traveling on cruise ships performing Vegas style production shows, backing guest entertainers, and playing in bands covering anything from Ballroom Dance to Modern Radio Hits.
Now based in Stratford, Eric has enjoyed building relationships with the many talented musicians in the area. You can see him play the regular jazz nights at The Relic, live music nights at Starlight or curated performances with some of The Stratford Festival’s many talented singers, with one of his favorites being the 2023 PAL Fundraiser “Signed, Sealed, Delivered…The Hits of Motown”.
Eric is so excited for the opportunities the Flight program brings to the Stratford music community. Grab your instrument, bring your creativity, let's make some music!
Deborah Moore
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Deborah earned her BFA in Acting and became Orff-certified through the Royal Conservatory of Music, realizing early on that her true passion was working with children. With a deep commitment to education and the arts, she knew her purpose was to inspire young minds through creativity, music, and performance.
With over 24 years of experience as a passionate music and drama educator, Deborah has taught in several Montessori schools, including Kew Park Montessori, Beaches Montessori, and Boardwalk Montessori in Toronto, where she has nurtured and supported the development of children of all ages. Deborah’s love for music, dance, and drama has allowed her to create a rich, creative environment where children can express themselves and grow through the arts.
Throughout her career, Deborah has directed school choirs, led Orff concerts, and organized musical theater productions, inspiring students to engage with music in a dynamic and joyful way. She has taught a variety of instruments, including the recorder, ukulele, and pitched Orff instruments, encouraging children to explore sound, rhythm and movement through hands-on learning. Her approach blends the principles of the Orff method with the Montessori philosophy, fostering a holistic understanding of music and movement that supports both artistic and personal growth.
Deborah’s teaching is centered around helping children develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration while building a strong foundation in music and the arts. Deborah is dedicated to creating an atmosphere of joy, discovery, and growth for every child she works with, inspiring them to discover their own unique voice and talents.
Our Studio Space
Flight Studio’s beautiful home is located on 35 Waterloo Street North, in Room 1D at the Falstaff Family Centre! A perfect studio for learning, growing, and memory-making, this multi-faceted studio is great for all our fun weekly activities.
We are honoured to share our space with Loreena McKennitt and all the amazing arts initiatives that have held tenancies at Falstaff. We feel inspired to build on those legacies through the sharing of ideas, collaborations and community partnerships with the hope of building a lasting arts space that is synonymous with youth and creativity.
