OUR MANAGEMENT
Anaïs Guimond
President & Owner
Winner of the CYBF Best Female Entrepreneur 2010
Winner of the BDC Young Entrepreneur of the year 2011
At the age of 5, Anaïs took dance classes before developing her new passion for theatre and gymnastics. She also practiced other sports competitively such as basketball and alpine skiing. She was in her last year of high school when she discovered what would eventually become her career and change the rest of her life: Circus Arts!
After a few months of training on her bungee-trapeze, she went to Orlando, Florida, to perform for the first time as a professional acrobat in Elastics Gymnastics. Following these performances, she went to Montreal to train with aerial specialist Andre Simard, at the Cirque du Soleil studios. In 1997, she left Quebec City for Las Vegas with her partner at the time. While he performed in Cirque du Soleil's show "Mystere", Anaïs trained in Cirque's studio, improving her bungee-trapeze act, as well as her hand-balancing techniques. Before returning to Quebec, Anaïs performed bungee-trapeze at the Tucson Annual Fair in Arizona. She and her partner then returned to Quebec City and opened a circus studio called Cirque de l'Odyssee. While teaching circus arts, Anaïs started to work on a new solo routine on her trapeze. Nine months later she was hired by the first permanent Cabaret in Quebec "Les Folie's de Paris" where she performed as a bungee-trapeze artist and dancer for three years, a total of 500+ shows. She then accepted an offer from the Cabaret Le Théâtre de Nouveautés in Montreal where she performed 100+ shows. In 2001, she was added as co-host of the TSN Caribbean Workout for over sixty shows taped on location in Barbados. Later that year, she moved to Halifax to work on the TV series Made in Canada. Since 2003, Anaïs has also been the French spokesperson and voice talent for Superstores in Atlantic Canada as well as other French advertising campaigns.
Since coming to Halifax in 2001, her main objective has been to open Atlantic Canada's first and only school for circus arts: Atlantic Cirque Agency & School. Atlantic Cirque has been a great success since its opening in September 2002 and now counts over 150 weekly participants. Atlantic Cirque is the biggest circus school East of Montreal. After almost 5 years in business, Atlantic Canada's first professional circus troupe was finally born. Cirque Siana presented its first show: Premiere at the Alderney Landing Theatre in February 2007 and June 2008, to sold out audiences both times! Thank you for your support. In the fall of 2009, Anaïs started another company with her friend Victoria Germain called 360am (artist management). Anaïs and her team are now working on the production of their next show-series (and a book!) to be presented in February 2012 in Halifax in celebration of Atlantic Cirque's 10th anniversary!
BUSINESS AWARD
In November 2010, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation announced the winners in the Best Business Award categories for the 2010 CYBF Chairman's Awards. Atlantic Cirque's owner, Anais Guimond won CYBF BEST FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR! Anais was also named BDC Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 and was also nominated for the RBC Women Entrepreneur 2011.
After a few months of training on her bungee-trapeze, she went to Orlando, Florida, to perform for the first time as a professional acrobat in Elastics Gymnastics. Following these performances, she went to Montreal to train with aerial specialist Andre Simard, at the Cirque du Soleil studios. In 1997, she left Quebec City for Las Vegas with her partner at the time. While he performed in Cirque du Soleil's show "Mystere", Anaïs trained in Cirque's studio, improving her bungee-trapeze act, as well as her hand-balancing techniques. Before returning to Quebec, Anaïs performed bungee-trapeze at the Tucson Annual Fair in Arizona. She and her partner then returned to Quebec City and opened a circus studio called Cirque de l'Odyssee. While teaching circus arts, Anaïs started to work on a new solo routine on her trapeze. Nine months later she was hired by the first permanent Cabaret in Quebec "Les Folie's de Paris" where she performed as a bungee-trapeze artist and dancer for three years, a total of 500+ shows. She then accepted an offer from the Cabaret Le Théâtre de Nouveautés in Montreal where she performed 100+ shows. In 2001, she was added as co-host of the TSN Caribbean Workout for over sixty shows taped on location in Barbados. Later that year, she moved to Halifax to work on the TV series Made in Canada. Since 2003, Anaïs has also been the French spokesperson and voice talent for Superstores in Atlantic Canada as well as other French advertising campaigns.
Since coming to Halifax in 2001, her main objective has been to open Atlantic Canada's first and only school for circus arts: Atlantic Cirque Agency & School. Atlantic Cirque has been a great success since its opening in September 2002 and now counts over 150 weekly participants. Atlantic Cirque is the biggest circus school East of Montreal. After almost 5 years in business, Atlantic Canada's first professional circus troupe was finally born. Cirque Siana presented its first show: Premiere at the Alderney Landing Theatre in February 2007 and June 2008, to sold out audiences both times! Thank you for your support. In the fall of 2009, Anaïs started another company with her friend Victoria Germain called 360am (artist management). Anaïs and her team are now working on the production of their next show-series (and a book!) to be presented in February 2012 in Halifax in celebration of Atlantic Cirque's 10th anniversary!
BUSINESS AWARD
In November 2010, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation announced the winners in the Best Business Award categories for the 2010 CYBF Chairman's Awards. Atlantic Cirque's owner, Anais Guimond won CYBF BEST FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR! Anais was also named BDC Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 and was also nominated for the RBC Women Entrepreneur 2011.
Jessica Mailhiot
General Manager
Jessica has been heavily involved in arts and entertainment for over 18 years in an administrative and performance capacity. At the age of six she started studying the piano, and performed in various vocal competitions in the Maritimes. With 10 years of lessons, she headed to Dalhousie University in Halifax to study in Music and Psychology. In 1997 she left Dalhousie University to explore the Wild West. She worked as an administrator in a prominent Yamaha music school located in the West Edmonton Mall. Working closely with Yamaha Music she traveled to various schools in Canada, the US and Asia.
Her passion for music and the arts, led to a small band being formed “Jessie and the Mob”. The band performed at small blues venues in Edmonton for over four years, and provided her with a solid repertoire of old blues songs and a new respect for gigging musicians. While working full time she accomplished a diploma in Human Resources and Labor Laws with Athabasca University. 11 years later in 2007, Jessica decided it was time to come home to the east coast to be close to her family. She is now working full time for the Department of Music at Dalhousie University as the Production and Graduate Program Administrator.
Since joining our team in the Spring 2010, Jessica has brought her positive, warm and inviting energy to the establishment and is developing great relationships with our clients, staff and students! We don't know what we would do without her.
Her passion for music and the arts, led to a small band being formed “Jessie and the Mob”. The band performed at small blues venues in Edmonton for over four years, and provided her with a solid repertoire of old blues songs and a new respect for gigging musicians. While working full time she accomplished a diploma in Human Resources and Labor Laws with Athabasca University. 11 years later in 2007, Jessica decided it was time to come home to the east coast to be close to her family. She is now working full time for the Department of Music at Dalhousie University as the Production and Graduate Program Administrator.
Since joining our team in the Spring 2010, Jessica has brought her positive, warm and inviting energy to the establishment and is developing great relationships with our clients, staff and students! We don't know what we would do without her.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Caitlan Anthony
Head-Instructor
Cirque Siana Troupe Coordinator
Since she could walk, Caitlan has been involved in the performing arts. At the age of four, she was already twirling and flipping in dance classes and gymnastics. After several years of recreational and then competitive gymnastics at Alta, Caitlan decided to try something new. Switching to Rythmic Gymnastics at age 10 she quickly made her way in the sport. She went to Nationals and even to the 2003 Canada Games, where her team placed 8th. After Canada Games Caitlan, wanted to find a less stressful alternative to Rhythmics that would still let her jump, bend, and fly. Through a friend, Caitlan heard about the circus, and decided it might be time to run away! Caitlan decided to try it out and joined Atlantic Cirque as a student in 2004. These days, you can find her at the gym just about any day - look for blonde hair and glitter! If you need any tips on flexibility or handstands, Cait's your expert in the field.
Cait has done many performances since 2003. She's one of the bendiest girls you'll find in Halifax, and loves to climb anything she can get her hands on. She's strutted her stuff for the IWK Telethon, Titz 'n' Glitz, Haliwood, the Halifax Jazz Festival, and at various business and trade shows - and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Caitlan has been an instructor since 2007, and has been the head coach of Atlantic Cirque since 2009. In 2010, Cait added another feather to her hat - Cirque Siana Troupe Coordinator!
Cait has done many performances since 2003. She's one of the bendiest girls you'll find in Halifax, and loves to climb anything she can get her hands on. She's strutted her stuff for the IWK Telethon, Titz 'n' Glitz, Haliwood, the Halifax Jazz Festival, and at various business and trade shows - and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Caitlan has been an instructor since 2007, and has been the head coach of Atlantic Cirque since 2009. In 2010, Cait added another feather to her hat - Cirque Siana Troupe Coordinator!
Jason Ayoub
Full-Time Cirque Instructor
When you're at Atlantic Cirque, you can often
find Jason showing off his muscles by lifting people high in the air, or
twisting and flipping on the trampoline. Jason has been doing circus since 1998
and joined us at Atlantic Cirque in 2006. He started off teaching summer camps,
but in 2009, he relocated to Nova Scotia to be part of the Atlantic Cirque
family full time!
Jason is a former Cirque du Soleil artist, and attended the National Circus School in Montreal from 1998 to 2001 as a professional student. He also has prior experience coaching provincial-stream gymnastics! Jason performed trampoline and teeterboard for two years before he decided to go South, where he worked as a flying trapeze instructor at Mexico's Club Med. His most recent project was working for three months in creation for Cirque du Soleil's show, Love, which opened in Las Vegas in 2006. Jason brings his high-flying circus skills to our students at Atlantic Cirque, and his hand to hand, juggling, and trapeze performances to audiences all over HRM!
Jason is a former Cirque du Soleil artist, and attended the National Circus School in Montreal from 1998 to 2001 as a professional student. He also has prior experience coaching provincial-stream gymnastics! Jason performed trampoline and teeterboard for two years before he decided to go South, where he worked as a flying trapeze instructor at Mexico's Club Med. His most recent project was working for three months in creation for Cirque du Soleil's show, Love, which opened in Las Vegas in 2006. Jason brings his high-flying circus skills to our students at Atlantic Cirque, and his hand to hand, juggling, and trapeze performances to audiences all over HRM!
Laura Montgomery
Full Time Cirque Instructor
Laura is a performer of physical theatre and acrobatics. She trains, performs and teaches in various cities throughout North America. Laura specializes in trapeze, handstands, partner acrobatics and stilts, and continues to train vertical rope, spanish web, hoop diving and tumbling. She can be seen upside down in many studios including The New England Centre for Circus Arts in Vermont, Circus Warehouse in NYC, Big Sky Works and The Ruby Streak Studio in Brooklyn and Atlantic Cirque in Halifax, NS. Laura trained and performed with the Brooklyn based acrobatic dance company, LAVA from 2009-2011. While with LAVA, Laura performed in Loving & Daring and Encyclopedia. Laura performed in and was a founding member of the Ottawa theatre company, The Ottawa Stilt Union, under the direction of Laura Astwood.
Laura also trained and performed with the Ottawa Stilt Union for three years, performing in three shows; Beowulf, This is a Very Old Story and The Girl who was Eaten by the Dark. Laura has done stilt performances across Canada, with the company and as a solo artist. Laura's unique experience as a stilt performer and an acrobat makes her wonder if life is always better either 9 feet tall or upside down.
Laura first joined our team in the summer of 2010 to teach summer camps. She has since moved to Halifax from New York to join Atlantic Cirque full time, welcome Laura!
Laura also trained and performed with the Ottawa Stilt Union for three years, performing in three shows; Beowulf, This is a Very Old Story and The Girl who was Eaten by the Dark. Laura has done stilt performances across Canada, with the company and as a solo artist. Laura's unique experience as a stilt performer and an acrobat makes her wonder if life is always better either 9 feet tall or upside down.
Laura first joined our team in the summer of 2010 to teach summer camps. She has since moved to Halifax from New York to join Atlantic Cirque full time, welcome Laura!
Sophie Fong
Cirque Instructor
Melissa Legge
Cirque Instructor
Melissa is proud to tell you that she grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador! She spent her youth playing flute or singing, dancing, performing, and horseback riding. After she broke up with her first boyfriend at the age of 15, she learned how to juggle - and she's never looked back. In 2007, she moved to Québec to pursue professional circus training, and now holds a diploma in circus arts from the École de Cirque de Québec. Her specialities include creative development, juggling and club passing, physical theatre, and group acrobatics. She is the girl to go to if you need a serious workout!
Melissa has been coaching since 2007, and has worked around the world. She has trained youth and professionals in Québec, the United States, and South Africa, and has also performed professionally on the stage and in the streets! After working for Inbhongolwethu, a Cirque du Monde project that works with HIV+ youth in South Africa, Melissa realized that social circus was her passion. In 2009, Melissa came to Halifax to study Social Work at Dalhousie University. If you ever see her with her nose buried in a book before or after a class at the gym - that's why! She's coaching circus arts in Halifax for the past three years.
Melissa has been coaching since 2007, and has worked around the world. She has trained youth and professionals in Québec, the United States, and South Africa, and has also performed professionally on the stage and in the streets! After working for Inbhongolwethu, a Cirque du Monde project that works with HIV+ youth in South Africa, Melissa realized that social circus was her passion. In 2009, Melissa came to Halifax to study Social Work at Dalhousie University. If you ever see her with her nose buried in a book before or after a class at the gym - that's why! She's coaching circus arts in Halifax for the past three years.
Madelaine Higgins
Assistant-Instructor
Maddy has been involved in the performing arts since she was just a small child! She grew up in the theatre, and began acting and the tender young age of six! She has experience in ballet and jazz, and has been attending Atlantic Cirque as a student since 2005. Immediately after joining, Madeline developed a captivation with aerial silks, and focused her energy on improving her skills! This determination paid off in 2007, when she began performing professionally - only two years after she began learning! Since then, she has expanded her skills to include cereau, or aerial hoop.
Having always been inspired by her fabulous coaches, Maddy jumped at the opportunity to become an assistant coach in the fall of 2009. She continues to enjoy passing on her circus skills to a new generation, while developing her own performance in the advanced classes at Atlantic Cirque!
Having always been inspired by her fabulous coaches, Maddy jumped at the opportunity to become an assistant coach in the fall of 2009. She continues to enjoy passing on her circus skills to a new generation, while developing her own performance in the advanced classes at Atlantic Cirque!
Zachary Smart
Assistant-Instructor
Zach was born in the far-off land of Central Pennsylvania, and joined the Atlantic Cirque family when he began classes in 2003. He is our world traveler! He is currently living in Halifax, and is in tenth grade at Auburn High. His interest in circus just keeps growing and growing! Zach also spent two years in Ottawa, where he trained at Spring Action Trampoline Centre, returning to Atlantic Cirque in 2007. Zach has a long (and growing!) list of circus goals - he is an avid juggler, loves trampoline, rope, and trapeze, and can often be found practicing hip hop or breakdance in his spare moments!
This year, he also began to take an interest in clowning, when he developed a comedy routine for Atlantic Cirque's show at Nocturne. His other interests include waveboarding, skateboarding, hockey, fencing, snowboarding, video games, planking, and dubstep! Zach is currently working toward developing full-length circus acts to use for future performances, and he continues to learn about coaching through his work at Atlantic Cirque!
This year, he also began to take an interest in clowning, when he developed a comedy routine for Atlantic Cirque's show at Nocturne. His other interests include waveboarding, skateboarding, hockey, fencing, snowboarding, video games, planking, and dubstep! Zach is currently working toward developing full-length circus acts to use for future performances, and he continues to learn about coaching through his work at Atlantic Cirque!
Meaghan De L'Eveille
Assistant-Instructor
Meaghan is another import to Halifax. She grew up in Ontario, where she has been involved with musical theatre and competitive sports since the age of five. Starting with dance and baseball, she did her first performances with a local children's musical theatre troupe in 1998. In 2001, Meaghan progressed to a more professional level, and has since been in a wide variety of shows, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, and Les Misérables.
In 2003, she moved to Nova Scotia and decided she needed a change of pace! She spent the next few years participating in competitive cheerleading and soccer, and eventually found a way to combine her love for performing with her intense athletic abilities... circus! In the summer of 2010, Meaghan began learning circus arts, and quickly realized that this was her niche! Meaghan is one of Atlantic Cirque's newest assistant coaches, and also became one of our first professional students this fall! She so far has been pursuing studies in hand balancing, aerials, as well as poi. If you need pointers about form, or a good gym recommendation, Meaghan is the one to talk to!
In 2003, she moved to Nova Scotia and decided she needed a change of pace! She spent the next few years participating in competitive cheerleading and soccer, and eventually found a way to combine her love for performing with her intense athletic abilities... circus! In the summer of 2010, Meaghan began learning circus arts, and quickly realized that this was her niche! Meaghan is one of Atlantic Cirque's newest assistant coaches, and also became one of our first professional students this fall! She so far has been pursuing studies in hand balancing, aerials, as well as poi. If you need pointers about form, or a good gym recommendation, Meaghan is the one to talk to!
Breagh Lunn
Assistant-Instructor
Bio coming soon
Lily Jackson
Assistant-Instructor
Lily grew up here in Halifax has been involved in dance classes since she was 6 years old, and after a few years of ballet, she switched to modern dance. Lily has also always had a fascination for horses and took riding lessons for 7 years. She has experience in cheerleading and competing and has been attending Atlantic Cirque as a student since 2010. After joining, Lily became very interested in the aerial rope and spanish web, she strongly focuses on that apparatus but enjoys doing the diamond, and cerceau. All her hard work sprung into action when she began performing professionally in 2011.
Ever since Lily joined Atlantic Cirque she has dedicated a lot of time to learning new skills and broadening her horizons in the theatre arts world!Soon after she started preforming, Lily also took on coaching as well. She now passes on all she has learned to her students and hopes to inspire them to continue circus the way her coaches inspired her to! Lily is almost done high school and has dreams to mix circus and horses by becoming a trick rider and having her own barn someday. She keeps up her learning through the advanced classes at Atlantic Cirque and can’t wait to keep improving!
Ever since Lily joined Atlantic Cirque she has dedicated a lot of time to learning new skills and broadening her horizons in the theatre arts world!Soon after she started preforming, Lily also took on coaching as well. She now passes on all she has learned to her students and hopes to inspire them to continue circus the way her coaches inspired her to! Lily is almost done high school and has dreams to mix circus and horses by becoming a trick rider and having her own barn someday. She keeps up her learning through the advanced classes at Atlantic Cirque and can’t wait to keep improving!
Meghan Lea
Assistant-Instructor in training
Bio coming soon.
Nicole Allain
Assistant-Instructor in training
Bio coming soon.
John Beale
Physical Theatre Teacher (Professional Programs)
John Beale is a Halifax based actor, teacher and director. Theatre credits include work at Neptune, Parrsboro Ship’s Company, Shakespeare By The Sea, Stephenville Festival, Tarragon, Lunasea,
Two Planks and a Passion, Equity Showcase in Toronto, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts and his self-produced work at The Old Red Schoolhouse Theatre in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Recent theatre credits include Peggy and Manuel in The Peggy Show, Owen in Girl in
the Goldfish Bowl, Wendell in Home, Swinburne inBrightest Red to Blue, Reverend John Hale in The Crucible for which he received a Merritt Award for Best Supporting Actor and most recently Nurk in Daniel MacIvor's world priemier of Bingo.
John has been acting, teaching and creating for the past 20 years. His workshops inspire engaging presence by focusing on the pleasure to play and discovering the joy of failure. Beale is a graduate of the Philippe Gaulier International Theatre School and also trained, performed and taught extensively with Shakespeare & Company in Massachusetts.
John joins the Atlantic Cirque team in the fall of 2011 as the Physical Theatre Teacher for our Professional Programs.
Two Planks and a Passion, Equity Showcase in Toronto, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts and his self-produced work at The Old Red Schoolhouse Theatre in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Recent theatre credits include Peggy and Manuel in The Peggy Show, Owen in Girl in
the Goldfish Bowl, Wendell in Home, Swinburne inBrightest Red to Blue, Reverend John Hale in The Crucible for which he received a Merritt Award for Best Supporting Actor and most recently Nurk in Daniel MacIvor's world priemier of Bingo.
John has been acting, teaching and creating for the past 20 years. His workshops inspire engaging presence by focusing on the pleasure to play and discovering the joy of failure. Beale is a graduate of the Philippe Gaulier International Theatre School and also trained, performed and taught extensively with Shakespeare & Company in Massachusetts.
John joins the Atlantic Cirque team in the fall of 2011 as the Physical Theatre Teacher for our Professional Programs.
Jordan Farmer
Dance Instructor (hip Hop, b-boying, popping)
Jordan Farmer is an urban dance performer and instructor with Concrete Roots in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has been dancing for 3 years and does b-boying, hip hop, and popping. He is the founding member of ILLusions Crew who performed at the 2010 Nocturne Art at Night Festival. He has won first place and received trophies and medals at “5, 6, 7, 8 Showtime” and “The Dance Off” and has performed at the Michael Jackson Tribute Tour. He has also opened up Z103.5’s 2010 Summer Rush concert. Jordan has taught for Dance Nova Scotia as the 2011 summer instructor teaching free workshops to HRM youth at community and recreation centres. He has also taught for Ross Creek Centre for the Arts as a popping instructor, and taught an open popping workshop at the 2010 Hopscotch Urban Arts Festival in Halifax. Jordan is taking Audio Engineering at The Centre for Arts and Technology to better his understanding of music and theory to help him continue on his path as an urban dancer.
Jordan joins the Atlantic Cirque team in September 2011.
Jordan joins the Atlantic Cirque team in September 2011.
OUR SEASONAL INSTRUCTORS
Monique Ryan
Hula Hoop & Belly Dancing Instructor
Monique's passion for movement started at an early age - she took gymnastics, jump rope, and even held her very own cheerleading practice... in her basement! She began studying belly dance in 1998, and soon began to perform with several local troupes. Her passion for dance led her to pursue a BSc in Kinesiology, yoga teacher training, and brought her straight to us at Atlantic Cirque! After being introduced to Tribal Fusion bellydance, Monique sought out training from the stars of the discipline - Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Mardi Love, Ariellah, and Amy Sigil of Unmata.
Monique is a popular local dance instructor, and is at the forefront of Tribal Fusion bell dance and hula hooping in Halifax. With her troupe Serpentine Circus, Monique produces large-scale theatrical shows that showcase tribal fusion and traditional belly dance, hula hoop, fire performance, hand balancing, acrobatics, contortion, burlesque, gogo dance, and more! Some of the other members of the Atlantic Cirque family have also participated in these events!
Monique joined the Atlantic Cirque coaching team in 2011. This year, she's a busy person - she's one of the students in our professional program, and recently opened her own studios in downtown Halifax with her co-founder Laura Selenzi - Serpentine Studios on Barrington Street!
Monique is a popular local dance instructor, and is at the forefront of Tribal Fusion bell dance and hula hooping in Halifax. With her troupe Serpentine Circus, Monique produces large-scale theatrical shows that showcase tribal fusion and traditional belly dance, hula hoop, fire performance, hand balancing, acrobatics, contortion, burlesque, gogo dance, and more! Some of the other members of the Atlantic Cirque family have also participated in these events!
Monique joined the Atlantic Cirque coaching team in 2011. This year, she's a busy person - she's one of the students in our professional program, and recently opened her own studios in downtown Halifax with her co-founder Laura Selenzi - Serpentine Studios on Barrington Street!
Erica Penton
Cirque Instructor
Erica grew up constantly moving around as a military child, and has a diverse background. She grew up performing musical theatre, and has experience in ballet, gymnastics, and diving. She graduated from high school in Oklahoma City, and then moved on to England, where she attended a full-time circus school! She now holds a diploma in circus arts. She specializes in physical theatre, cloud swing, and static trapeze, and performed at many festivals, including the infamous Glastonbury Festival!
Erica began teaching with Atlantic Cirque in the old days at the Shambala School - way back in 2003! She currently holds a BA in English and (I think??) a master's degree in Library Information Sciences from Dalhousie University. Erica re-joined the Atlantic Cirque team as a coach in the fall of 2009.
She is currently available for private lessons - a lesson in cloud swing is great for any aerial enthusiast, especially because it's not something that we always have enough time to focus on in regular classes!
Erica began teaching with Atlantic Cirque in the old days at the Shambala School - way back in 2003! She currently holds a BA in English and (I think??) a master's degree in Library Information Sciences from Dalhousie University. Erica re-joined the Atlantic Cirque team as a coach in the fall of 2009.
She is currently available for private lessons - a lesson in cloud swing is great for any aerial enthusiast, especially because it's not something that we always have enough time to focus on in regular classes!
Sara Greenberg
Cirque Instructor
These days, Sara pops in and out of Halifax as she completes studies in Systems Design Engineering at Waterloo in Ontario - but, whenever she can find a spare moment, she is excited to return to the gym, and continues to be a part of the Atlantic Cirque family! Sara grew up in Ontario, and began to learn Irish Dance at age four. She danced in several competitions, and continued to take part for nearly four years.
Before relocating to Halifax in 2000, she also gained experience in recreational gymnastics and other forms of dance. In Halifax, she continued this training, participating in both Highland Dance, and ballet. However, after her discovery of circus arts in 2004, she has never looked back! She has now been at Atlantic Cirque for seven years, and loves to share her knowledge.
Sara specializes in hand balancing and silk, and loves all forms of aerials. She has performed for business parties, hair shows, and the opening of Dartmouth Crossing, as well as other venues. She is proudly a member of Atlantic Cirque's performing troupe, Cirque Siana, and is also a cirque instructor. In Ontario, Sara continues to develop her circus skills and has also taken part in university-level cheerleading.
Before relocating to Halifax in 2000, she also gained experience in recreational gymnastics and other forms of dance. In Halifax, she continued this training, participating in both Highland Dance, and ballet. However, after her discovery of circus arts in 2004, she has never looked back! She has now been at Atlantic Cirque for seven years, and loves to share her knowledge.
Sara specializes in hand balancing and silk, and loves all forms of aerials. She has performed for business parties, hair shows, and the opening of Dartmouth Crossing, as well as other venues. She is proudly a member of Atlantic Cirque's performing troupe, Cirque Siana, and is also a cirque instructor. In Ontario, Sara continues to develop her circus skills and has also taken part in university-level cheerleading.
Gillian Wesley
Yoga Instructor
Gillian Wesley started taking yoga classes in junior high to increase her flexibility while training for Canada Games. What started as cross-training, soon turned into a life long passion.
In 2010, Gillian decided to take her practice to the next level by becoming a yoga instructor. Through 108 Yoga’s Health and Wellness Yoga Teacher Training Program, Gillian trained under Nancy Hunter. Gillian believes that yoga is a powerful tool, not only to improve our physical health, but to reduce stress and illness and improve our every day experiences.
She joins the Atlantic CIrque team in August 2011 as our "Morning Yoga" instructor.
You want a chance to join our amazing team?
Visit the job opportunity section and send us your resume!
Visit the job opportunity section and send us your resume!
