Biographies

Sidonie Adamson

Sidonie is a circus artist and coach to outside of the box athletes and aerialists. Her lifetime in creative athletics and performing arts has seen her perform across three continents and with notable organizations such as Les Sept Doigts de La Main, St. John’s Circus Fest, and Anystage Productions. She has lit up stages as a circus artist, hung from trees as a vertical dancer, performed in international festivals and curated and produced cross-continental shows. She is one of Western Canada’s most sought after aerial coaches and has a passion for coaching for longevity instead of short term outcome. She works with aerialists and non conventional athletes both online and in person to carry them through their careers safely and with efficiency. Her athletes become resilient, resourceful performers who are no longer derailed by change and instead continue to thrive regardless of circumstance. She lives in Vancouver with her Human, Cat, and 17 year old frog and is incredibly excited to be a part of the Alberta Circus Arts Festival.

Gerardo Balderas Figueroa

Gerardo is a Mexican Canadian artist who currently makes up the entire circus community in Lethbridge. He transitioned from Martial arts to circus arts eight years ago. He initially specialized in aerial hoop and duo straps, where he has had the opportunity to train and compete in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Mexico City, apart from working with multiple entertainment companies in Western Canada. However, thanks to the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, the creators of Zoom and anti-vaxxers, he had the opportunity to dedicate an unexpected amount of time to start developing hand-balancing skills. Gerardo is grateful to his online coaches and the developers of mRNA vaccines for getting him to a point where he can perform again and start to show his new skills. As an artist, he hopes to engage the crowd and transport them into his world of delusional drama, where he’ll take you from white swan tragic beauty avenue or unapologetically sexy queer street. Regardless of the destination, he hopes you enjoy the journey because, at the end of the day, life is a circus.

Nicholas Beach

Nicholas Beach is the General Manager of the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre. He is responsible for programming the arts centre’s multi-disciplinary season of 40 or more artists in 6 different series each year. The Lougheed Centre presents Canadian and international artists including theatre, dance, circus, and a large variety of music genres. In his 20 year career in the arts, he has worked in several theatres across Canada. Nick is a board member for the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts and an active member of the Prairie Regional Presenters Coalition. The Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre opened in 2014 and is located on the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus in Camrose, just south of Edmonton. The Lougheed Centre is home to a 584 seat state-of-the-art proscenium fly house and a 120 seat cabaret venue.

Tanya Burka

Tanya Burka is a graduate of Montreal’s renowned National Circus School with a specialty in aerial silks, aerial hoop, and acrobatic clown. Tanya has performed across four continents with diverse companies and organizations including Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize, and St. John’s International Circus Festival. She has a portfolio in stage management, coaching and assistant direction alongside her stage career. Tanya likes cats, pastries, and telling people she used to be an nuclear engineer. No lie.

Marilou Cousineau

A member of the national artistic gymnastics team from 1993 to 1997, Marilou set a Canadian record by taking part in five world championships. She was the first Quebecer to enter her name in the International Artistic Gymnastics Federation’s code of points with an innovative beam element, the Cousineau. Marilou was named Athlete of the Year by the Canadian Gymnastics Federation (1993-1994) and Athlete of the Year by the Fédération de gymnastique du Québec (1996). She also received the Marcel-Bonin Award (1995) and the Philippe-Chartrand Award (1996). Recognised for her exceptional career, Marilou was inducted into the Panthéon des sports du Québec in 2013. At the end of her gymnastics career, she was an acrobat for three years in Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba show in Orlando. Marilou holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the Université du Québec à Montréal, and has been working at the National Circus School since 2002, first as coordinator of the preparatory and recreational programs and teacher in circus arts, and now as Assistant Director of the Higher education program and continuing education.

Carole Demers

Carole has been a circus flyer for the majority of her life. Her Russian Bar trio, The White Crow, won several festivals including Festival du Cirque de Demain à Paris (Gold), Monte Carlo International Circus Festival (Silver Clown), International Circus Festival of Budapest (Silver trophy). Her high level of performance and artistry lead her to three different Cirque du Soleil shows, traditional and contemporary circuses and a Hollywood movie set. She holds a Bachelors in Education and a Masters Diploma in Creative Project Management. Carole is now the co-artistic director of the St. John’s International CircusFest and is involved with different circus companies in Quebec city.

Éric Deschênes

With a bachelor’s degree in physical activity sciences (kinesiology) from Université Laval (1995), Éric began his career as a trainer, instructor and fitness assessor in various fitness centres in Montreal. A physical training coordinator/specialist at the National Circus School since 2004 and a Cyr wheel, German wheel and ultimate wheel trainer since 2007, Éric also works as a physical training specialist and consultant for Cirque du Soleil. As a Cyr wheel specialist, he is a member of the technical committee of the International Wheel Gymnastics Federation (development, rules and catalogue of difficulties). Éric is also an assistant at the Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC).

Anahareo Doelle

Anahareo Doelle is the co-producer/co-founder of the St. John’s International CircusFest, now going into its 6th year . She is a graduate of the National Circus School of Montreal where she specialized in aerial hoop and silks. For the past eighteen years she has performed in various shows, including places such as Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Japan and Germany. She performed and lived in Berlin for seven years before she returned to her hometown St.John’s in 2011 with her husband and family. She is passionate about bringing more circus to the East Coast. In 2022 she was awarded the Arts NL Educator of the year award for her work with her aerial school iFLY Aerial Arts in which she is the director.

Scotty Dont

Scotty has always been involved in the arts from a young age, as an illustrator and muralist. Later they discovered dance and performance arts in Montreal. After focusing on a contemporary and urban foundation in movement they then pursued circus arts, completing 2 years at the Circus School of Verdun and then further developing their skills with the professional program at the Ecole De Cirque de Québec. Having since toured in the states and creating two solo shows in Canada, Scotty continues their exploration in how race and gender politics inform our society, and in the art we consume and create.

Jay Flair

Jay Flair is an award winning multidisciplinary artist who is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat! From busking to solo stage shows, from adult only drag and burlesque shows to children’s parties; Jay is familiar with a wide range of audiences and performance styles. Jay’s acts, from circus stunts to sleight of hand, make use of her experiences in life and she strives to be inclusive to all who may find themselves in her audience.

Randall Fraser

Randall Fraser is the founding Artistic Director of The National Stiltwalkers of Canada and as been running the company since its founding in 2001. He comes from a background in theatre and festival design and production. Having been a lighting and sound technician, set prop and costume designer, puppeteer, mask maker, stiltwalker and fire performer. Stiltwalking combine all his creative passions into one unique and dynamically varied career.

Vanessa Furlong

Vanessa Furlong (she/her) is a professional circus and physical theatre artist specializing in acrobatic stilts, trapeze, and clown. She is currently based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. A graduate of Bishop’s University (Theatre and Music), Vanessa has toured with multiple performance groups nationally and internationally for the past 2 decades as a musician, actor, circus artist, and educator. She uses multiple creative techniques in her lifelong journey to explore access in art and the effects/gifts of aging on her creative expression. Vanessa is co founder of award winning circus duo LEGacy Circus alongside Erin Ball.

Anit Ghosh

Anit Ghosh (Musical Director, Barka) is a violinist, multi-instrumentalist and a multi-faceted musical free spirit. Anit has collaborated with GIROVAGO since its foundation. Fascinated by the diversity of instruments and musical styles used around the world, he draws inspiration from them in search of new ways to express the human.

Catherine Girard

Following her training in Dance and Circus arts, Catherine Girard has collaborated with several international companies, including Cie Finzi Pasca, Cirque Éloize, Les 7 doigts, Cirque du Soleil, and Cirque Alfonse. Her curiosity and love for the circus arts have led her to develop and refine various disciplines over the years. As a multidisciplinary artist, Catherine also has a strong interest in music and theater. Alongside her artistic career, she has had the privilege of joining the teaching team at the National Circus School of Montreal in recent years.

Stephanie Gruson

Stephanie has been a company member and performer of Firefly Theatre & Circus since 2013 and a student since 2009. She was so excited to join the Firefly team as Director of Operations and Special Events in 2021. She has a true passion for Aerial and Circus Arts. She has performed in many productions put on by Firefly such as KOLABO and PANACHE. She has been involved in many corporate and charitable events including the Canada 150 celebration at Roger’s Place, performing along with Canadian artist Sarah McLachlan. Stephanie is a Franco-Albertan. She is excited to be the festival’s French representative and producer.

Samantha Halas

Hailing from Winnipeg, Samantha Halas has travelled the world to study circus arts including China, San Francisco, Mongolia and across Canada. Now based in Montreal, her latest accomplishment has been creating Deep Dish- a one woman show which she has performed in both Winnipeg (Gas Station Arts Center) and Montreal (TOHU, Mainline Theater). Samantha has performed for circuses including Street Circus’s Throwback, Haut Vol, Wonderbolt Circus, Luna Caballera, the Underground Circus, Labo Cirque, Chile’s En La Cuerda, Balancing on the Edge, has toured Canada and Europe with the Red Sky Performance’s production of Backbone and has appeared as a featured performer with The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. She teaches social circus, as well as coaching professional and semi-professional circus artists using circus as a medium for social change as well as having produced and written three narrative driven cabarets in Winnipeg as Frostbite Circus.

Anne-Marie Hivert

Anne-Marie started circus as a recreational activity when she was 7 years old. After completing 2 years of the Verdun Circus School preparatory program, she enrolled in the teacher training program at the National Circus School in Montreal. Since then, as a circus artist, she has been performing all around Quebec in multiple street entertainment programming and festivals, like Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. She was lucky enough to work with a couple equestrian circus company as an acrobat, a choreograph and a director. As a teacher, she has taught in many circus studios, high schools and kindergarten classes in and around Montreal. She now teaches circus full time in the Calgary area.

Lindsay Istace

Lindsay Istace is a multi-talented dynamo, known for their stage presence and captivating performances. Originating from Saskatoon and currently based in Edmonton, Lindsay’s shows feature a wide range of skills, including sword swallowing, bendy hula hoop routines, and mesmerising fire arts. Their shows have garnered multiple awards for their originality and character. Their training experience has taken them all over the map, from The San Francisco Circus Centre to Las Vegas for extended private contortion coaching and to the Beijing International Acrobatic School. Within the local community, Lindsay is known for their expertise in teaching flexibility for all bodies and for their collaborative work with emerging artists.

Graeme Janzen

Born in Calgary, Graeme Janzen has been doing theatrical lighting, rigging and performer flying for 10 years. Over the years, he has flown performers for Calgary Opera’s production of Everest, 9 years of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show while working for Chicago based Vertigo and most recently Alberta Ballet’s production of PHI. In 2018, he started Gaslamp FX INC which specializes in aerial rigging hardware and fall protection sales after seeing a need within the Alberta community for quality rigging hardware suppliers.

Juliette Lacoste

Patrick Léonard

Patrick Léonard (Stage Director, Barka) Co-founder and Artistic Director of the renowned circus company, 7 Doigts de la Main, Patrick expresses his acrobatic and clown talent with a fearless and reckless style. A chemist by training, this four-time figure skating champion, graduated from the National Circus School of Montreal, won the Nicouline Award at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain and continues to push the boundaries of creativity.

Kenneth Lindemann

Since graduating from the École de cirque de Québec in 2011, Kenneth Lindemann has been performing and coaching all over the world from Australia to Quebec City. Kenneth has been on stage with companies such as Cirque du Soleil, the 7 fingers and is currently training artists to prepare them for careers in circus. Mixing traditional circus technique with the individual needs of each person, Kenneth tries to help hand balancers at any level to progress in a way that’s effective, safe and fun.

Nadine Louis

Nadine Louis was trained at a very young age at the National Circus School, then toured with the Cirque du Soleil for seven years as a contortionist on New Experience, Fascination and Saltimbanco. She completed studies in arts and communications at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, and graduated from the National Theater School of Canada in acting after a four-years program. From 2003 to 2010, she was in the cast of Rain by Cirque Éloize, a show for which she also acted as artistic consultant. From 2010 to 2013, she interpreted the role of the Red Spider in the Cirque du Soleil show OvO. From 2014 to 2023, she participated in several creative processes and performed in numerous shows, including Ruelle, by Hallyway Production, Glücksjäger, by Palazzo, Le mobile, by La marche du crabe, Vice et vertu, by 7 Doigts de la main, Kings and Queens from the Palazzo, Bébés, from the NTE, Dream Project, from Yonder Windows, Céleste, from Cirque Éloize, L’Impro Cirque and Laboratoires, from Les Improduits. She also participated in the St-John’s Circus Fest as well as several editions of the cabaret Le Monastère.

Renée Mak

Renée Mak is a multi-disciplinary circus artist and creative extraordinaire based in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Unlike so many circus artists out there, she started her circus journey late at the age of 22. Despite a great desire to learn dance, gymnastics and diving, she grew up in a culture that greatly discourages creative endeavors and had no background in any sort of movement or creative realms. What started as a means to lose weight became an empowering, artistic journey that has become an integral part of her identity. ​Through tenacity, hard work and the gracious support, encouragement and inspiration of so many – she has become the artist that she is today. For Renée, circus is an empowering medium to explore movement, femininity, sexuality, comedy and other themes. Renée is one of the principles of the all-female circus collective.

Vitor Martinez Silva

My name is Vitor Martinez Silva, I come from Brazil and I have over 12 years of diabolo experience. With a background in gymnastics, dance and musical theatre, I moved to Canada by myself at the age of 13 to dive into the circus world with the National Circus School; where I have been combining physical skills with tricks and movements to bring a new and unique approach to the art of diabolos. 

Mooky McGuinty

A master of physical comedy, Mooky is one of the funniest ladies working on the international circuit today. Gracing the world’s most illustrious shows, Mooky’s wit brings down the house, be it at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House, or a church basement in Laronge. Mooky has spent her life clowning, delighting crowds world wide with her unique brand of slapstick and playful Spirit. As principal clown of Cirque du Soleil’s highly successful show Varekai, Mooky co-created the role, and played it to over 4 million spectators, throughout North America and Europe, including for Cirque’s debut in Russia. Mooky is a trailblazer, as the first female solo clown in Amsterdam’s most prestigious Royal Carré Winter Circus. She is a favourite of London’s Olivier Award winning cabaret, La Soiree. Her comedy has been featured at Just for Laughs, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Festival, and the Cape Town Comedy Festival to name a few. She can charm the feathers off a goose. In addition to being a virtuoso comedienne, she is a gifted musician and
a hilarious puppeteer. Liza Minelli called her “wonderful” and she even received a kiss from Desmond Tutu. Mooky’s work is evolving from stage to screen. Audiences internationally have seen her Varekai clowning via DVD and online. She plays principle roles in Cirque du Soleil’s television venture Solstrum, and on a number of independent short films. Now Mooky is building on that with an original series of her own, starring her endearing character Gloria. Her production company Mooky McGuinty Creative, based in Saskatchewan, Canada, is creating a series of non-verbal physical comedy shorts about Gloria, and her adventures on the Prairie in search of a spotlight.

Angola Murdoch

Growing up on the family farm in Grey County, Ontario, Angola Murdoch’s childhood was spent dancing and doing gymnastics. Since then, her movement repertoire has grown to include many disciplines such as aerial circus arts, acrobatics, and capoeira. For the last 20 years, Angola has enjoyed a rich career locally, having performed at major venues in Ontario (Buddies in Bad Times, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canadian National Exhibition, and others) and internationally (Cirque Pacifica (Maui), Gramercy Theatre (NYC), and Zip Zap Circus (South Africa)). A highlight of Angola’s career was being a Klingon aerial silk performer on Star Trek: Discovery. Currently, Angola is also a company member of Femmes Du Feu Creations. Through LookUp Theatre, she creates contemporary circus and theatre productions inspired by true stories. Angola has directed six full-length contemporary circus shows, including 2019’s Toronto Circus Riot. Based on the actual Toronto Riot of 1855, the Circus Riot premiered to packed audiences and critical acclaim and garnered a Dora Nomination. LookUp Theatre is currently touring across Canada with Twist Of Fate, Angola’s solo show. www.lookuptheatre.com

Kei Nguyen

With a background in dance and rhythmic gymnastics, Kei now explores the circus world through disciplines such as staff manipulation, aerial pole and hand to hand. She graduated from École de cirque de Québec in 2022 and has shown her passion for circus through performing and creating ever since. Kei’s main goal as a circus artist is to return the love the community gives her, in any form; by meeting people, attending events, or even continuing to show display her love for circus.

Sandra Olarte

Sandra Olarte (she/her) is a Mexican-Canadian aerial artist who has been teaching and performing aerial arts for over 10 years. Now residing in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), she has performed in theatre productions, multidisciplinary arts festivals, and private and public events. Sandra specializes in experimental aerial apparatus, aerial silks, rope, sling, and cloudswing; when not in the air, Sandra dabbles in contemporary dance, physical theater, and clown. She also happens to hold an M.Sc. in Statistics and knows a thing or two about social research. As an aerial performer, Sandra strives to create a deep and meaningful connection with her audience, to highlight the relevance of diversity, inclusion, and representation in the arts, to educate and create social change. Sandra is also a coffee aficionado and very much in love with her two cats, Huitzilopochtli & Quetzalcoatl (Huitzi and Quetza if you struggle with Náhuatl). Sandra resides, creates, and performs in the land that has served as a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous Peoples. As an immigrant to this land, she is bound to listen, understand, and learn from them, and to protect their rights and assist in their cultural, political, economic, and artistic advancement.

Francis Proteau

Committed to performance from his beginnings, Francis obtained his black belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was 13. He continued to evolve in the world of martial arts until the day he took his first circus class. Since that moment, he has devoted his life to the practice and teaching of circus arts. He graduated from the National Circus School of Montréal’s 1 year intensive Coach Training program in 2011. While he principally teaches acrobatics and juggling, his years of martial arts practice and his depth of experience in other circus disciplines, dance and acting enable him to teach a variety of disciplines, adapting to the needs of each student. He joined the teaching staff at the École de Cirque de Québec in 2019, with the desire to further the development of circus arts and its community. He continues to teach acrobatics and juggling at the ÉCQ in the college and high school programs.

Mathew Reid

Matthew Reid has been composing music since the time he was too short to ride on roller coasters. For the last ten years he composed and performed songs and a live soundtrack for Toronto’s world famous Second City comedy theatre. Recently, the Toronto Symphony premiered his musical, the Second City Guide to the Symphony. In the 2016/2017 season it will be performed by some of North America’s top orchestras. Matt also began a creative collaboration with head of Tim Burton productions, Derek Frey by composing the score for film, Green Lake. Matthew joined the circus when he composed and played live for Lookup Theatre’s Toronto Circus Riot. In addition, Matt’s has composed for and licensed his music for film, television, games, web series, art galleries, museum exhibits and pyrotechnical circus events.

Tim Roberts

Tim Roberts is currently the Chief Executive of the Quebec City Circus School and president of EnPiste. He has been involved in circus arts since he learned to juggle 3 balls at age 15. That opened the door to a stint as Boss Clown for Ringling Bros., then a period as a street performer in Europe and co-founder of a juggling theatre company in France (L’Institut de Jonglage). He has been involved in circus arts education since 1993; from starting the professional development department at le Centre national des arts du cirque (CNAC, in France) to running the HE programme at the National Centre for Circus Arts, in London (UK) from 2000 to 2016. During that time he was also president of the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (FEDEC) for eight years. He might open a bakery if all this circus stuff doesn’t work out.

Carmen Ruiz

Carmen Ruiz (Artistic Director, Girovago) is a dance artist and producer. Of Colombian origin, she hopes that her artistic creation will become
a spark that propels human and social movement towards the reinvention of individual and collective histories. Her physical vocabulary
and contemporary research are deeply inspired by her roots and migration history.

Kate Ryan

Kate Ryan is a world-renowned Canadian circus artist, entertainer, and entrepreneur, specializing in Circus Hula Hoop, Face Balancing, Physical Comedy, and Grand Multi fire Hula Hoop. With an impressive client resume that includes Cirque du Soleil, Cartoon Network, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Party like Gatsby Speakeasy EU, and Adelaide Fringe Inc., Kate’s captivating performances have taken her to twenty-three different countries around the globe. Her Comedy Circus Show is a hilarious and entertaining experience that combines physical comedy, skilled circus disciplines, and witty humor. As a seasoned comedian and performer, Kate takes the audience on a wild ride of laughter and amusement through a variety of acts, showcasing her incredible talent as a comedian, acrobat, and circus performer. Kate is the Canadian Director of the social circus NGO, Spark Circus and the first Canadian Ambassador to Hoopologie, the world’s most revolutionary hula hoop company. Her work as an entertainer and humanitarian (Spark Circus) has been featured in magazines such as L’oreal Vietnam. In 2021, her digital adaptation to the circus arts industry and her work as a Director, Producer, Editor, and Artist in TEN, was recognized by the Montreal Independent Film Festival and won “Audience Choice: Feature Film” at the Circus International Film Festival. In addition to performing, Kate produces, directs and tours numerous shows and artists across the country for her company, The Little Bed Ball Company.

Jordan Sabo

Cirque in the Park will be co-hosted by local performer Jordan Sabo, otherwise known as Pinwheel Circus. From a young age, Jordan has garnered a passion for putting himself in front of others. As a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program, Jordan applies his professional training as an actor to blend storytelling, juggling and magic. His career has taken him on a wonderfully unexpected journey! Since graduating he has become an entrepreneur, creating and performing wholesome arts entertainment. You may have also seen him as Jojo of Jojo’s Magic Circus performing for families, communities and organizations across Canada and in Alberta. Some of Jordan’s highlighted works have been featured with the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, the Citadel Theatre, the Edmonton Arts Council, and now Firefly Theatre and Circus. He is honoured to be partnering with Firefly to highlight Edmonton’s aspiring circus performers!

Juan Sebastián Mejía

Juan Sebastián Mejía (Artistic Director, Girovago) is a creator of the unexpected. His mind is constantly immersed in a circus environment, where everyone, including the audience, is connected by a compelling desire to move together and dance. His hope is that this desire will eventually translate into a collective movement for social change.

Schuyler Snowdon

Schuyler Snowdon is a highly skilled circus artist and charismatic street performer based in Calgary. With a focus on balancing ladder, rola bola, and juggling, Schuyler captivates audiences with impressive feats of precision and control. Their talent has led them to remarkable opportunities, including being cast as a lead character in Les Productions Haut-Vol’s show, “Tundra,” at Canada’s Wonderland. Schuyler has collaborated with companies like Cirque De La Nuit and Indigo Circus and has toured their street shows with Fringe festivals, gaining a reputation for their quirky character, clever wit, and unique choreography. Their performances are a delightful blend of skill, charm, and creativity, making Schuyler Snowdon a standout performer and all around “cool dude.”

Ricard Soler Mallol

Ricard Soler Mallol (Stage Director, Barka) Born in Barcelona, he holds a Master’s degree in Theater from the UQAM. He is a director, dramaturgical advisor and performing arts teacher. He has presented more than a dozen shows combining street theater, circus, music and theater. Ricard believes in the enrichment of artistic creation thanks to the displacement, adaptation, contrast, understanding, welcome and difference that arise from the union of several creators of different profiles and disciplines.

Daniel Tamagi

With over a decade of experience under his belt, The FloWarrior has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s top fire and flow arts performers. Fusing his passion for dance, martial arts and music, he has created his own unique brand of ‘martial artistry’ through years of training and dedication to his craft. A world renowned innovator in a number of unique disciplines including folding fans, rice hats, lightsabers, and the Force Leash; he continues to push the limits of what is possible through movement art and object manipulation.

Aurélien Tomasi

Aurélien Tomasi (Musical Director, Barka) was born in France and has been living in Montreal since 2012 where he participates in multiple projects on the current Quebec music scene as a musician, composer and arranger. Specializing in traditional jazz, his musical influences range from traditional world music to contemporary music.

Holly Treddenick

Holly is an artist, producer, artistic director for Femmes du Feu Creations, osteopath (DOMP), entrepreneur and mother of two. Originally from Winnipeg, Holly moved to Toronto in 1995 to study at Toronto Dance Theater. Holly now works primarily in the circus sector and has trained in circus across Canada and the USA. Holly has taught, performed and toured with many dance and circus companies across Canada and the USA, including LookUp Theatre, Circus Orange, and many more. Holly is an active advocate for the circus sector and serves on the En Piste pan- Canadian circus development committee, the Welland Downtown BIA, the Welland Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, and initiated the new Welland Creatives Network. Holly relocated to Welland after 25 years in Toronto, with her family in July, 2019 to open a new circus and multi-arts center called The Bank Art House, that will serve the local and international arts community and hopes to see you there!

John Ullyatt

John Ullyatt is a local actor, street artist, and general bon vivant. He is also a co-founder of Firefly Theatre and Circus with his wife, Annie Dugan. He was most recently in Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes and will soon be hosting the Spiegel Tent Show at K-Days and playing the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors in Vancouver and Edmonton, followed by Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Citadel Theatre. Street installations include The Human Fountain, The Dung Beetle, Crosswalk Theatre and The 21st Century Gargoyles.

Sarah Visser

Sarah Visser is a circus artist from Alberta, Canada. She is a generalist specializing in swinging trapeze, dance trapeze, aerial hoop and ground acrobatics. Sarah studied circus for 3 years at École de cirque de Québec from 2017-2020 and then continued her professional training in Montreal with World famous swinging trapeze coach, Victor Fomine the following year. Sarah is always willing to take on a challenge. She has performed dance trapeze while swinging, splashing and flipping above and into a pool of water for Milord Entertainment as well as performed fire eating and manipulation out doors at the Edmonton Valley Zoo with Circus Surreal. She has performed multiple disciplines such as dance trapeze, swinging trapeze, fixed trapeze, aerial silks, fire eating and manipulation, contortion, duo trampoline and acrobatics though out Canada and in the United States. She is dynamic, driven, and passionate and is excited to share her art and bright energy with audiences around the world.