Meet your team

Hi, I’m Rosa

Hailing from the land of the long white cloud (NZ), CircArts director Rosa never thought she would end up running a circus school after moving to Melbourne in 2011. Circus was always a hobby, which she loved intensely but had never considered running away to the circus a serious career option! I mean, who would right?

After seeing the Flying Trapeze artists of the Moscow Circus when she was 6, Rosa couldn’t get enough of circus. A few weeks later her mother found an article in the local paper that started Rosa on her circus journey with InFlight Entertainment (Kiwi kids circus) in Auckland, on an outdoor Flying Trapeze Rig.

A tiny red belt became her best friend, and her trainers and peers were like a family, keeping her safe as she flew through the air. Rosa took longer than everyone else in her class to make her first ‘catch’ and still remembers it like it was yesterday. “Everyone was so supportive, clapping and cheering “Finally!”, but Mike (trainer & catcher) seemed so proud and happy, he pulled me up and gave me a huge hug as we hung off the bar, it’s one of the happiest moments of my life. Getting past the first hurdle was huge, I didn’t give up and when I finally got there, well I felt unstoppable after that.”

The school eventually grew and with it so did her confidence, as she moved on to learning and performing a variety of aerial disciplines over the years including Spanish Web/Corde Lisse, Static Trapeze, Aerial Silk and Lyra.. and Salsa Dancing.

Her move to Melbourne led her to finding KidsPlace Circus School, eventually becoming business partners and friends with then owner Diana and transforming KidsPlace into CircArts in 2014. Now, the sole director, Rosa has come to really respect what her coaches went through to get her here.

“I love them like parents and cannot thank them enough. I don’t know if I would be there without them. Because of their faith in me as a child and teen, the effort they put in behind the scenes to give us the opportunity to train, I fell in love with circus and now live the most rewarding life. Each day I am surrounded by the most amazing, supportive community. Circus is like a world wide family. No matter where you go, if you do circus, regardless of whether you are a newbie or or a relic, you find instant friends that accept, love and support you - whoever and however you are.”

Rosa is now on a mission to create a circus family of her own here in Australia - her vision is a space where children of all ages (yes, adults too!) discover a loving family and a place where they feel completely welcome and accepted, regardless of their quirks, physique or social status.

She wants to create a place where anyone who walks through the doors feels valued and appreciated for who they really are and is empowered to overcome any obstacle to be the very best version of themselves they can be and achieve success, whatever that means to them.

Hi, I’m Jon

Born and raised in France, Jonathan Campos is a memorable person and performer that ran away to Australia to fulfill his circus ambitions. Entering the industry after many years being self-taught as well as an intense three years at NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts), specializing in Chinese Pole, Jonathan is determined pass on his knowledge to whomever is willing to take it. Jon can be found performing and training a variety of circus acts, including fire manipulation, juggling, hand balancing and chinese pole, most recently touring with Melbourne-based, world-renowned performing arts company, Strange Fruit, as a performer of their unique trademark sway pole apparatus.

Hi, I’m Erika

Swedish born & bred Erika was first introduced to circus at age 16 when a close relative convinced her (which wasn’t hard) to start at Gävle Circus high school in Sweden.

Falling head over heels in love with circus it was clear from the start that this was gonna be her thing. (She has been training circus for 15 years now!)

After being introduced to many different disciplines during her three years in Gävle she had three specialties, Tightwire, Aerial Net and Hand to Hand. Hand to Hand was always the favourite because who doesn’t like being thrown around?

Aerial net is the other favourite because it is such a versatile apparatus. It can be a hammock, a rope, straps and you can do rolls and handstands inside it. 

After graduating she went to Cyprus for 8 months performing at a family hotel as a variety artist and clown she felt like she wanted a higher skill level so she applied for AFUK – Academy of untamed creativity in Copenhagen Denmark prep school.

Erika stayed there for two years specialising in Hand to Hand and Handstand.

Next stop were just next door when AFUK opened up a trial bachelor education over three years called AMOC – Academy of modern circus.

At Amoc her main discipline were Hand to Hand with Aerial Net as a 2nd discipline.

With some pretty serious injuries she had to take 1 and a half year off half way through due to hip and shoulder surgeries. 

Unable to continue in her disciplines she started up with hula hoop that wasn’t as hard on her body.

After graduating from Amoc she needed a change of scenery and was on a plane to Australia only three days later heading towards Ballarat, Australia.

Arriving in Ballarat she got a job at Physipole studios and self taught herself duo and solo Aerial hoop.

She is now building a house relocating to Geelong to live.

“The best thing about circus for me is performing. It makes me feel invincible, strong and confident. Since Amoc was a purely artistic school, they gave me so many tools in how to be creative and teaching me there is a million ways to perform but no wrong way. 

Due to being a very injury prone little bug I’ve needed to adapt and finding ways around my circus many times and I would say creativity is my strength.”

Hi, I’m Charli 

Charli is the Australian National Champion for Aerial Hoop, with a passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the circus world.

Born with a natural talent for movement, Charli started their journey as a young acrobat, performing in local shows and competitions. With a relentless drive to improve her skills, she went on to train with some of the most renowned coaches in the industry, honing her craft and perfecting her technique.

As Charli's reputation grew, she began to perform on some of the biggest stages around the country, wowing audiences with her incredible feats of strength, balance, and agility. From death-defying aerial acts to mesmerising adagio routines, Charli's performances are a true spectacle to behold.

In addition to her work as a performer, Charli is also a highly sought-after coach and mentor. She has trained countless acrobats and circus performers, helping them to reach new levels of skill and mastery. With a deep understanding of the human body and a keen eye for detail, Charli is able to provide personalized coaching that is tailored to the unique needs of each individual performer.

”I started training circus at CircArts at the age of 14 after dabbling in many other sports such as netball, karate, dance and gymnastics. After my first class at CircArts I knew this was where my true passions lie. I remained at Circarts throughout high school, making incredible memories and lasting relationships. I will be forever grateful for my time at Circarts through my teen years. It taught me discipline, perseverance, team work, confidence and gave me a sense of belonging. The people at CircArts welcomed me with open arms, my coaches were not only extraordinary in class but also showed support and compassion outside of class. 

I trained in multiple specialties while at circus such as silk, contortion, adagio, risely and foot juggling. After partaking in an aerial hoop specialty class, I feel in love. I loved the risk of being in the air, the adrenaline rush learning my first drops, preserving through the discomfort of elbow rolls, the way I could express myself through movements on the hoop and doing things most people thought are impossible.. I would set myself challenges, determine to reach them, to better my performance ability and skill repertoire.

I performed alongside my CircArts family in many community events and shows such as the Night Jar festival, Geelong after dark, PoppyKettle Festival and Pako Festa. I truly fell in love with being on stage. I then went on to perform in Miss Lyra Australia (Semi-Professional Division) and the Australian Circus Festival, placing third in each.

I began coaching at Circarts followed by some Melbourne Aerial Studios teaching a mix of adults and kids classes such as Aerial Yoga, Dynamic Lyra, Hula Hoop, Partner Acro and Intro to Circus.

In 2019, I auditioned for the prestigious National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) and was accepted into their bachelor degree. I trained at NICA for one year specialising in group acro, hula hoops and lyra.  In 2020 I deferred the degree due to the disruption with the covid pandemic. I am currently studying a bachelor of health Sciences, majoring in Nutrition and working hard to improve my circus skills to resume performing, while learning and developing my theoretical knowledge of my body and how to fuel it for optimal performance.

I have always loved sharing my knowledge of circus, health and wellbeing with students, friends and family. Witnessing others refine, develop and grow their circus skills gives me great joy. Circus is such a fun and rewarding way to train with benefits not limited to physical fitness or health improvements but also gaining confidence, building relationships, improving teamwork and communication skills, learning trust and problem solving. Circus really helped me to figure out who I was, and who I wanted to be. I hope to make a difference in peoples’ lives, help them find joy through circus and achieve their training goals."

Hi, I’m Ellie

Ellie is a multi-disciplinary circus artist with specialist solo acts in handstands, straps/stirrups and cyr wheel and in addition she has strong skills in tumble, hand to hand, chairs and groups acro.

Ellie’s past training includes 9 years as a fulltime student with The Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

In her last 2 years of being with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Ellie completed a Cert III Circus Arts with Swinburne University, Australia.

This gives her a competency to understand performance and performance creation on a deeper level as well as the ability to teach; she has used this to teach workshops and create her own performances.

Over the past 9 years Ellie has performed over 100 shows, over 40 different venues in Australia and New Zealand.

Hi, I’m Aisling

I started circus when I was 6 at CircArts, it has been something that I have really enjoyed and I have always been able to look forward to.

I was always a really shy and quiet kid and never really felt comfortable expressing myself, over the 11 years that I have been at CircArts I have really grown as a person and felt more comfortable just being me and I honestly don't think that I would have gotten to this point without the supportive family environment that circus created for me.

The first time I wanted to try circus was after seeing my first show I remember being so amazed by the contortionists and told my mum that I wanted to be in the bendy lady show, so we tried circus and I was instantly hooked.

I really enjoy training aerials, there's just something about being up in the air that makes you feel so graceful. Over the years I have specialised in Silk, Trapeze and Lyra (Aerial Hoop), and group acrobatics. In 2016 I placed 3rd with two of my friends with our trio dance trapeze act at the Australian Circus Festival. I love to experiment with new ideas and transitions, and a couple of years ago I made a horizontal aerial ladder act!

I think the best thing about circus is the sense of family, it really gives you the opportunity to grow and try new things without feeling like you are being judged. back when I first started I was only 6 and I barely spoke to anyone, I was really shy and I remember not even wanting to do my first concert I was too nervous to get out in front of the crowd, but I have to say that it was worth it, I needed to feel like I was confident and circus is what got me there.

As a coach I really want to help other kids get the feeling of joy that I got when I first started at CircArts and help them to feel like they have a home away from home, and help them to overcome difficulties in their lives.

Hi, I’m Tess

I started my circus journey at ten years old, training at Aerial Dance Studios Ballarat. My mother was taking pole classes and one week decided to bring me along to watch - I decided that rather than watching, I’d prefer to give it a go myself! I instantly fell in love and starting pole classes as well as a Circus Skills class they were running for kids. I worked hard, slowly building up skills. Every year I trained I became more certain this was what I wanted to do with my life.

My specialties include Aerial Hoop, Trapeze, Hammock, Contortion, and Pole fitness. I started training hoop and pole from the beginning of my circus journey, and then delved into contortion.

In 2016 I became a competitive pole dancer, winning my first competition and holding the title of Australian Pole Fitness Junior Champion. Since then I have competed and placed in various competitions, as well as performing at shows. 

As a trainer, I am most passionate about encouraging my students to become the best they can be. I understand entirely what it’s like to start these sports with no prior training and just the passion to be better. I’m a bit of a toughie, but it’s for the right reasons! 

In my time at CircArts I have quickly been accepted into a loving and accepting community and a lovely team of trainers that care so much about their students. I’m very thankful to have found this family.

Through circus I have become more confident in myself, starting as a shy and mousy kid and being built up into the much more expressive person I am today. It has done wonders for my mental health, the rest of the world entirely disappears when I’m training. It’s a feeling like no other.

Hi, I’m Naz

Starting gymnastics at the age of 7, Naz Turner has been training many of the skills he performs/coaches today for the majority of his life! 

Competing around Victoria, Naz eventually had the opportunity to participate in a gymnastics competition held at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). Filled with excitement and confusion he walked amongst the apparatus, knowing whatever this was, it was for him.

At age 11, Naz was quickly overwhelmed by the growing hours and pressure that came with competitive gymnastics. Not long after, he took his first class at CircArts and his passion came to full fruition. 

Naz had found a place where he could keep and further refine his physical abilities and let his creative side flow, without the added pressure of competition and unrealistic expectations. Beginning to take more and more classes, he eventually began assistant coaching lower level students at CircArts alongside his training, determined to further his own abilities as well as assist those up and coming. As he continued his training at CircArts Naz became comfortable performing more and more apparatus including juggling, unicycle, doubles trapeze, aerial straps, tightwire and tumbling, but none of these he took to quite Handbalancing. 

Beginning to take his training  and coaching more seriously, Naz began building his performance experience representing CircArts at community events. His confidence and skill started to grow rapidly and from here his career path was set in stone, he was a performer. 

After honing his handbalancing skills to an international level at CircArts Geelong, Naz returned to the National Institute of Circus Arts but this time as a student, not a competitive gymnast. In 2017-2018 he received his Certificate III and IV in Circus Arts specializing in handbalancing, slack wire and group juggling as well as receiving training in different dance and performance disciplines.

 Gaining more experience in circus apparatus and performance, he then went back to his roots, coaching gymnastics on the side and receiving his beginners qualification under Gymnastics Australia, further expanding his ability as a coach. 

Today, Naz is a proud, dedicated member of the CircArts team with a versatile skill set. He is passionate about providing members of all ages and skill sets with a safe, encouraging and compassionate environment to achieve their personal fitness/wellness goals.

Hi, I’m Nicole

I am Geelong born a bred and started training silks at the age of 21.  

I saw a silk for the first time in person at a rock-climbing centre, it was tall, red and beautiful just like something you’d see some Circ Du Soliel, needless to say rock climbing was put on the back burner for the day so I could give it a try and I have trained every week since.  

I have trained with CircArts for roughly 6 years and have dabbled in almost all the classes there are on offer including trapeze, lyra, cyr wheel, foot juggling, fire eating, the list goes on!  

I am most passionate about aerial silks & hammock.

I love every aspect of silks from complex wraps to drops and rolls, and I am enthusiastic about helping people achieve beautiful tricks no matter their age, size, strength or flexibility, encouraging students to gain confidence to attempt things they never thought were possible.  

CircArts is an excellent welcoming space where you can work on your strength and flexibility in a supportive environment. 

I can’t wait to meet you!  

Hi, I’m Jade

I started training circus when I was 6 years old at CircArts.
I decided I wanted to start training at circus after being invited to a birthday party. 

After a very short time training I realised that circus was my passion. I went on to specialise in trapeze and roller boller. My brightest memory of doing roller baller is my fist ever solo. I was terrified to go on stage but with the support of my coaches I worked up the courage and I felt so empowered and special when everyone was clapping whenever I did a trick.
Trapeze has always been my favourite part of circus. I loved training it and I loved performing it. I found trapeze to be very rewarding as I found a lot of the skills challenging so I was above the moon whenever I got a new trick.     

Being involved at CircArts has improved my mental and physical health over the years. I have learnt many social skills and organisational skills and most importantly It has provided me with a happy place where I feel comfortable to be myself. As a trainer I love the idea of helping kids to find their passion within a nurturing environment and inspiring them to try their best in everything that they do. I hope to provide the kids I teach with as amazing of an experience as I had. 

I am currently studying a bachelor of zoology and animal science, with the hope to be able to work within the animal industry in the future!

Hi, I’m Ellie

I have always loved dance and gymnastics and was a competitive ballroom dancer in my teens. I then got my body balancer certificate through Les Mills and enjoyed training and teaching in Yoga flow. Through my group of friends I then found rock climbing/Bouldering which then again turned competitive and I worked and instructed in a climbing gym for a few years while studying Architecture.

 I was dragged to a pole dancing class as moral support for a friend in 2016 but the second I walked in and saw the Lyra and silks I knew I had try it and never looked back. I trained in Sydney at Poltique and tried a few different studios when I moved to Geelong but nothing compared to Circarts.

My specialities are Lyra/Aerial hoop and more recently trapeze. Anything bendy or flexy I am all about. Splits, Splits Splits and more Splits.

I love the crazy variety of people you meet from all backgrounds and jobs. The first Advanced Lyra class I took at Circarts we had a Doctor, Dentist, Zookeeper and Dietician. Always so much fun to see such different people choosing the same way to spend their free time.

I am most passionate about giving people the opportunity to try something new. A lot of the tricks and moves can look daunting and I can remember how I felt (and how I still feel on new moves) but being able to break it down show people that it is possible. If not straight away with practice, watching someone work on a move for a few weeks and then finally get it. I get more of a kick out of watching students get their nemesis move rather than me get mine. Everyone needs to experience that feeling.

Moving from Sydney to Geelong on my own CircArts became my second family and has introduced me to the most amazing people. Teaching just seemed like the next step to help my own practice and learn from the students.

I have been pushed to do tricks that I never would have dreamt of trying purely based on the confidence the coaches had in me. Tess especially always found moves she knew I would love but also ones that would test me and drive me out of my comfort zone.

I love working with beginners where Aerials is an outlet after a busy day of life/work. Regardless of what is happening in their personal life circus is always a safe happy place to unwind and I want to make sure that’s always the case! :)

Hi, I’m Amanda

Amanda Conti is a multi-talented performer who began her career as a professional dancer, before embarking on a journey through the world of circus. Trained at some of the most renowned schools in Australia and New York, she has merged the two art forms together revealing an awe-inspiring, magical quality of Aerial Dance.

Amanda has captivated audiences throughout Asia, Europe, North America and Australia.

With an impressive portfolio including performing for Princess Cruises, Crowne & Wyndham Hotels in China and Singapore, Crown Casino, Fashion Aid, Melbourne Cup and The Australian Prime Ministers Olympic Gala.

She has featured her aerial acts on TV series Home & Away, Master’s of Choreography “Once Upon A Time”, P&O Cruises and Dracula’s Cabaret in both Melbourne and Queensland.

Hi, I’m Leigh

Leigh Rhodes started his performing career as a talented acting student in the small town of Lara, Victoria and began training at CircArts before a successful audition for NICA saw him complete a Bachelor of Circus Arts in Melbourne.

He developed his circus abilities and incorporated his diverse skill set of Roue Cyr, Bounce Juggle, Hats, Dance, Clown, and Rollerblading into his acts.

His skills include character work, improvisation and many styles of dance choreography to name a few. Specialising in Bounce juggling and Cyr wheel, his own urban style mixed with comedy creates an unique and unusual performance.

Leigh was a resident performer for the National Basketball League in the Melbourne Arena, regularly performing for audiences in their thousands.

Touring internationally with Dummies Corp for many years, he’s been able to use his knowledge and experience to give back to the community and direct and choreograph multiple circus, cabaret and musical shows in Festivals around Victoria.

Hi, I’m Laura!

I have wanted to run away and join the circus since I was 12 when I discovered KidsPlace (now CircArts)! My creative primary school teacher introduced a whole class juggling program and I was inspired to practice for the whole of my Summer holidays and haven’t stopped juggling since. I quickly found that my passion was manipulation and balancing things on my nose including all household objects.

I love that anyone can be a part of CircArts and that nothing is impossible if you work hard. Circus has many avenues to perform, create, train or be part of the behind the scenes to work collaboratively to assist everyone to achieve a common goal which is usually my preference. The skills that you learn through being in Circus can be transferred to all parts of your life. I have become more confident and am able to problem solve and achieve things I never thought I could. In 2019 I was courageous enough to leave CircArts and attended Summer Camp in the USA as a trainer which was amazing! Circus has now provided me with friends from all around the world.

I especially love training the younger students and seeing them develop their co-ordination and skills. I like to form a relationship with each student and encourage them to develop their strengths and help them to work on the things that they are not so confident with. It is great when all of their hard work comes together and they feel good about themselves and what they have accomplished.

CircArts is the place I love to be and where I spend so much of my time outside of my studying. I have lifelong connections to the other trainers and feel like it is my second home. I know that it can be a place of welcome for everyone and I hope that all of the students develop the love for the Circus that I have.

Hi, I’m Beth,
I started training circus at CircArts just before the pandemic began. I know what a great year to start… Even though Covid was a setback, I was hooked on circus. Before I started my Circus Journey, I trained dance for many years which included all styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. I loved dance but I felt like I needed something more. Through social media I found videos of people performing in the circus and I was so intrigued I wanted to give it a go myself, that's when I found CircArts.

I love the Joy I get when training and especially the rush you get when you finally get a new skill or performing in front of an audience, it’s something you can’t get anywhere else. At CircArts I am a part of the Emerging Artists program and earlier in the year we performed at the Spiegeltent in Barwon heads, and is one of my most fond memories being at Circarts and performing with not only my teammates but my friends, who without circus I never would have met.

Circus is a community full of weird and unique people but we are brought together through our love of the incredible sport of Circus. Circus has so many different options and specialities to train in there is absolutely something for everyone in this sport. Through Circus I am most passionate about performing and training to a high level. As you share the performance with your audience, you heighten their experience, it's a way of self expression that I want to be able to share with others.

I became a Coach and Administrator through the Emerging Leaders program. Seeing the smiling faces coming through the doors each day knowing that CircArts is a happy place for them as it is for me, is very rewarding.

Training at CircArts has helped me come out of my shell. Starting off I was very shy and it can be nerve racking when you come into a new place not really knowing how to do everything or what some of the equipment is, but the team a CircArts are so welcoming and my trainers helped me come out of my shell and realize who I am and what my potential is.

Hi, I’m Jaz,

When I was little I was super keen on learning aerials after seeing the trapeze in a travelling circus. I used to train on monkey bars, I loved being in the air. I always wanted to be able to do the splits, and when I heard about a circus school in Geelong I jumped at the opportunity! It’s always been something that’s given me comfort, and I love being able to challenge myself in training. 


My specialities currently include Aerial hoop, handstands and contortion. Over the years I have performed in Wonderland Speigeltent shows and Miss Lyra competitions. As much as I love being in the air, I have always watched handstanders in awe and it’s something I’ve recently found a new passion for. 


I love how supportive the circus community is. Everyone is patient and encouraging, no matter what skill sets and abilities you may have. I also love that with circus, there isn’t only one end goal, you can always grow and try new things! 

In my time at CircArts I have made lifelong friends who are committed to pursuing their goals. The CircArts team brings together a positive collective of likeminded, talented individuals who support and encourage each other to do their best. The CircArts community nurtures values that I hold dearly and really value and I think that’s why CircArts has always felt so special to me. 

Hi, I’m Hannu!

I'm Finnish born and raised with an asian background. I started Wu shu at the age of 11 because my parents thought I was spending too much time on the computer. I learned almost all Wushu styles and started specializing in Long fist (Changquan), Staff (Gunshu), Broadsword (Daoshu) and chinese lion dance.

After teaching Wushu, competing and performing, I saw my first circus show in 2015 and fell in love with Circus arts. I decided to go study Circus at Turku for 4 years (2016-2020).

I studied aerial (static trapeze and pair trapeze) and handbalancing at school and after school hours I trained juggling and floor acrobatics. I always thought that it would be cool to do flips for living! In the end I ended up becoming a floor acrobat doing flips and twists, aswell as a juggler. As a coach I'm open minded and enjoy teaching floor acrobatics!

Hi, I’m Emmi

I started training circus as an adult. After training circus for a while, I started teaching in a youth circus school and a year later I got in to Turku Universaty of Applied Sciences to study circus arts.

I had never seen circus performances before and I didn’t know what aerial acrobatics were. I was supposed to try pole dancing but accidentaly booked myself in to an aerial hoop class and then I got a little addicted to it.

My specialities are aerials. I train the rope and silks the most but I have also done plenty of lyra and net also.

I love that in circus there are so many ways that you can express yourself and you never run out of things to train.

As a coach my favorite thing is to see students acheive their goals and get excited about learning new things. I love working at CircArts because the students and the teachers have a great team spirit! The most rewarding part of my work is to see someone nail the trick that they have worked hard on.

I want to give my students tools to aim high with their circus career. I want all of the kids and the adults to understand that they can do amazing things and they can train to be in a really high level even if they started a little later in life.

Hi, I’m Sophie

You can usually find me behind the front desk or practising aerials in the studio! I first started taking circus classes in 2017, starting with trapeze, aerial hoop and silks. Ever since day one I have been hooked. I love all kinds of aerials, but my favourite apparatus is the trapeze.

The thing that inspired me most about circus was the way it mixes fitness, fun and self-expression. The circus attracts some really interesting people and I have made some amazing friends in my time training at CircArts. There is a real community feel here that I love, and it is great to interact with students, parents and trainers alike. Plus getting the opportunity to perform in the showcase each year is exhilarating!

Outside circus, I can be found drawing, writing, painting or studying for my doctorate. It has been fun seeing how I can incorporate all my hobbies into my work and training at CircArts.

Hi, I’m Maxine!

I use she/her pronouns. I grew up up down on the Mornington peninsular playing with animals and climbing trees. I started circus when I was 15 at Hipcat youth circus in Frankston after seeing a Circus Oz show and being completely mesmerised by their performance.

Youth circus was amazing, it was a place where I was encouraged to come out of my shell, made a great group of friends, got to have fun, be silly, creative and got to be challenged physically with the circus skills.

From there I went on to training at the National Institute of Circus Arts completing the cert 3&4 and then the bachelor course in Circus Arts, where I honed different circus skills specialising in tight wire, dance trapeze and group acrobatics, from these you wouldn’t guess it but I am afraid of heights! But there was something really special and tranquil that I found in these specialties especially with wire and I became hooked!

What I really love about circus is its inclusivity, the fact that it is an activity that literally has something for everyone. I believe it provides so much joy through connections with others, growth of personal confidence and self esteem, whilst learning about your body and mind through supportive challenge. It builds physical fitness and activity, provides cognitive exercise, provides creative outlets, all this and so much more! This is why I want to teach, to spread this wonderful craft!

As a circus trainer I am most passionate about facilitating circus classes that are fun, supportive, welcoming and safe for all people. I wish for my students to discover the joy of circus and what it means to them. I aim to support and challenge each student to achieve their goals physically, socially, mentally, and to feel a part of our community! 

The thing I love most about CircArts is the community. I love to see whole families bonding over a shared love, people connecting and making life long friends through this place and being a coach here is no different. Getting to work along side amazing coaches and students that constantly inspire me and help me to grow and learn is such a pleasure, it is so much more than an afternoon activity!

The thing I like most about coaching is seeing students come out of their shell and surprise themselves with what they can do. I aim to hold classes where people feel comfortable and safe to express themselves and when I see students start to feel comfortable enough to be fully them and make friends with others in the space is the most rewarding part for me. I also love seeing people break through mental barriers they may have, seeing people overcome that is amazing!

I always struggle with fear around certain skills and tricks, even performance or social fears but to get to the other side and doing something you never believed you could is so much fun, and so I love to support students to overcome these barriers and achieve their goals, whatever it may be.

My hope is that through circus, we can help people to realise their self worth, to feel confident and comfortable in themselves, to make a place where people can connect with each other meaningfully and to learn about looking after the health of our mind and body. 

My aim is to keep learning how to make circus more accessible and inclusive so that everyone has the opportunity to discover the joys of circus. My hope and belief is that through circus we can have fun, keep active and healthy, learn so many skills that translate into life, such as resilience, compassion, kindness, determination, teamwork and learn so much about ourselves in the process.

For me circus has so much power and I wish that everyone who comes to circus is able to discover the joy for themselves. 

Hi, I’m Lola

I started training circus when I was 7 at CircArts and began touring with Circus Royale in 2018 performing contortion and hand balancing with Chinese spinning carpets.

I was originally doing callisthenics, then added on circus training to learn tricks for my solo routines for comps but as I got older, I realised I wanted circus to be my career. Then I achieved that goal and began touring and performing in a big top circus!

My Contortion Spinning Carpets Acts act is one of very few of it’s kind globally and in Australia, and in 2014 and 2018 I won two awards with it at Australian circus festival, placing 1st and 2nd. 

Performing makes me feel confident, the best feeling is when you finish your act feeling proud of what you've performed. It's amazing performing for a crowd and getting to take photos with people who are amazed after the show. 

Training makes me feel healthy and happy and it’s what I've loved doing since I was a child. 

I am most passionate about teaching students how to properly learn contortion. Contortion is my favourite thing to teach, especially to passionate kids. I learnt from my coach Diana from a young age so I love to teach students how I was taught. Doing it for so long I have a lot of tips and tricks to share!

I love seeing my students happy as they learn new skills and accomplish goals they have set, and watching my students perform at the studios concerts seeing how happy and proud they are of themselves.

My students will feel positive and confident when training and get to work hard leaving feeling accomplished and inspired to challenge themselves to be the best they can. 

I love CircArts because it is so much fun and students can make so many friends and leave feeling happy but also successful from their training. 

Hi, I’m Rachael

I started dance lessons at 4 years old starting with ballet and later learning tap and jazz until I switched to calisthenics at 7 years old. I competed for 6 years before making the move to gymnastics. After being inspired by Cirque du Soleil aerialists and contortionists, I decided to look into circus training and found CircArts! That was over 10 years ago!

I specialise in aerial hoop and recently began training duo lyra with my neighbour. I am also really passionate about strength and flexibility training, believing that with the right foundations you can achieve anything.

I love circus because it has always felt inclusive and welcoming to everyone. You meet such amazing people who come from all walks of life and can do incredible things! I love watching adult students come in (often very nervous), and leave with a huge smile on their face knowing they've achieved great skills (and great bruises) and overcome their fears.

Being at CircArts for many years, both as a student and coach, I have seen many changes - when we started we only had one of each aerial apparatus! I am so proud of all we have achieved and the growth that the school has had since I began in the teen class over 10 years ago.

Hi, I’m Charlotte

I first began performing in 2007 in my primary school orchestra and continued up until I began training at CircArts.

I’ve always loved performing and CircArts was an opportunity to continue this passion. I was always interested in circus, wanting to perform lyra from the first time I saw Cirque Du Soliel in 2006. After playing netball for several years I decided that I should mix it up with something fun and non-competitive

Over the past few years I have focused on my juggling skills. Juggling is both something I can challenge myself with and also an incredible way to get rid of stress and anxiety, almost like meditation for me.

Training at Circarts has been an incredible way for me to grow as a person. Being able to focus on specific skills has helped give me motivation to push myself more in every aspect of my life. Circus is a way to express yourself in a welcoming environment. The non-competitive environment creates a space for people to not be judged and to have a go at everything, no matter their abilities.

As a tinies trainer I love to see my students confidence grow. Since beginning coaching in 2017, seeing our shy students being able to perform in the shows with a smile on their face has always been one of the most rewarding parts of being a trainer for me. Knowing that I have an impact on my students lives, whether it is a fun activity for them or creating confidence.