Life as a Professional Circus Artist
Yes – it’s as zany and fabulous as you can imagine! Since 2001, I’ve been working around the world as a professional aerialist and coach, and loving (almost) every second of it. Highlights include performing at the Olympic Stadium in Greece, Casino Estoril in Portugal, Las Vegas, The House of Blues in New Orleans, Sea World’s VIVA show, and hundreds more. I’ve toured with Cirque Productions, Cirque le Masque, Circus Nexus (lots of cirques!) – and more. In 2002, I teamed up with Angela Attia to form ImaginAerial, a top-ranked cirque-style partnership.
When I fell in love with circus, I had never so much as turned a cartwheel. I had noodles for arms, and couldn’t do a pull-up if my life depended on it! My teaching philosophy is this: circus is for anyone (and that includes you!).
My husband, a lighting designer, and I met when I was on my first aerial gig in NYC; we now have a teenage son who refuses to do anything “circus-y”. The adventures keep on coming, and I love love love what I do. My students have gone on to perform with Cirque du Soleil and other professional circuses – LOVE THAT – and some do it just for fun (love that, too!). Come join me – I’ll see you in the air!
Training, Certifications, and Why I’m Qualified to Torture – er, Teach You
I’ve been teaching professionally for over twenty years, and pioneered many of the techniques, spotting positions, and safety guidelines used in teacher training all over the USA. Additionally, I am an ACE certified personal trainer, founding member of NYATA (NY Aerial Teachers Alliance), member of American Circus Educators, and I hold specialty certifications in corrective exercise, athlete nutrition, pre/postnatal training, increasing flexibility, athletic injury prevention, and more.
Fancy Certifications and Whatnot
- Founding Member of NYATA (NY Aerial Teachers Alliance) – a group of teachers dedicated to fostering excellence in aerial instruction.
- Member of the American Circus Educators Association
- American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer
- Corrective Exercise Specialist (National Academy of Sports Medicine )
- Flexibility Program Design Specialist (NASM)
- Sports Nutrition Coach (NASM)
- First Aid CPR AED Certified (American Heart Association)
- Pre-And Post-Natal Fitness certification
- Exercise for Special Populations CEC
- Sports Nutrition CEC
- Mind/Body Awareness CEC
- Psychology of Motivation & Achievement CEC
- Athletic & Sports Injuries CEC
- NASM Home Workout Design CEC
“If an acrobat wakes up in the morning and doesn’t hurt, chances are he’s dead.” – Russian circus proverb