Rising Stars: Meet Caro Vezina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caro Vezina.

Caro, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a professional dancer born and raised in Montreal, Canada.

Fun fact: When I first started taking dance classes at a young age, I didn’t like it. Who would have thought that today? It’s only later on that I really discovered a passion for dance. From that moment on, I never stopped. At the age of 11, I appeared on my first TV show, and the rest is history. Throughout my life, I managed both dance and school until I reached university. I recall missing school classes to attend sets, taking notes from my friends, or going to the library during lunch breaks while everyone else was having fun because I would dance at night. It was only when I entered university that managing both became more challenging. I impulsively crashed an open-call audition in New York City just to experience it. There were about 400 dancers. I was literally not expecting anything when I received an email from them expressing interest in working with me. Unfortunately, at that time, I didn’t have the necessary documents to work in the US, but it became a realization for me: ‘Everything is possible.’ What if everything you dream of can happen? You only have one life—stop being afraid, go for it, dream big, and I quit university! Dance became my only plan A, and from there, my career took off. I had the opportunity to work on numerous incredible TV shows, live performances, festivals, and musicals in Montreal. Simultaneously, I continued training and traveled to New York, LA, and London to enhance my skills. Over the years, I built an extensive resume and eventually felt that I had accomplished everything I wanted in Montreal. I finally felt prepared to make a bigger move: applying for my work visa to pursue opportunities in the USA. And here I am now, having spent a year in Los Angeles, pursuing my biggest and wildest dreams. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me!”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, there have been plenty of obstacles, but they have shaped the person I am today. I believe one thing responsible for my success is my resilience – never giving up, even when faced with countless rejections. It’s about having faith and that small voice inside, believing in the unknown, and pushing through.

This industry is truly challenging; you need to be strong mentally and physically. I’ve experienced phases of low self-esteem and self-confidence, questioning everything, as there were times when dance brought more sadness than joy. However, that inner voice persisted: ‘You didn’t come this far to give up now.’ So, I kept going, growing, achieving things, and becoming proud.

There have also been numerous injuries along the way; some of the major ones include breaking my foot, injuring my knee and my other foot, and even dealing with blood clots in my leg. Additionally, I underwent heart intervention due to arrhythmia, where they had to perform a procedure to stop it from recurring. I vividly recall moments of rushing off stage during a show or leaving a class mid-session because I felt my heart might fail.

Each injury forced me to pause dancing for a while; I had to learn how to navigate through these phases. During those times, I focused on other areas like singing/acting classes, self-improvement, updating my portfolio., etc. There’s always a way to keep moving forward toward your goals.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional dancer, teacher, and content creator. I’ve trained in various styles because I believe that to sustain a long career, versatility is crucial; it allows one to navigate through different genres effortlessly.

My credits encompass a range of projects, including Nickelodeon’s SnowDay movie, a Loblaws commercial, Point Zero’s web commercial and in-store displays, Danser Pour Gagner (the French version of America’s Best Dance Crew), performances in Mamma Mia and Footloose The Musical, appearances on The Masked Singer and The Voice, among others. I’ve had the honor of dancing alongside Kelly Clarkson, Karol G (tour), Shania Twain, Christina Aguilera, Latto, Matt Simons, and many more. Additionally, I had the privilege of assisting Mel Charlot, the choreographer, on the last season of So You Think You Can Dance.

One of my proudest moments occurred when I joined Karol G’s tour. Just one week after my visa was approved, I received a last-minute call to join the tour because someone was injured. In less than 48 hours, I went from my bedroom in Montreal to the stage in Sacramento. I’m still not sure how I managed that… It involved immense pressure, stress, and zero sleep, but it was undeniably worth it. I firmly believe that life often places you in situations it knows you can conquer, and this was one of the most challenging yet most incredible moments of my career so far!

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my most cherished childhood memories related to my career is my initial experience on the set of a TV show in Montreal. It marked the beginning of it all! I was around 11 years old when I was chosen to perform on a TV program akin to ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ I can vividly recall the overwhelming support from my friends and family. There was something truly special about that first time—being on TV, on set, and backstage. If you had told that young 11-year-old girl that what she had just experienced would become her life, I would never have believed it. Reflecting on this moment brings forth such intense emotions, reminding me of where I began. It’s a memory that’s etched in my mind forever.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carovezina_