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Creative ID: 399

Art form(s): Theatre
Language(s): English, Spanish
Based in: Waikato
Where I'm available:
Waikato
When I'm available: We are available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm

My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)

I'm a professional scenic artist, specialist in aerial acrobatics. In the search for an authentic natural language, I combine natural movement and the power of physical expression in my performances. My interest in acrobatics was first sparked in 2001 in Colombia and I improved my aerial acrobatic skills at their National Circus School. In Singapore I found my life partner, with whom I formed an aerial team. We have participated in various festivals around the world, and won a number of international awards. The BBC described my performance as one of the 'highlights from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival'.  I'm co-founder of a local circus and dancing school and recently participated in a number of domestic festivals.

 

My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with

I'm a circus artist recognised nationwide. I have performed my own shows in the biggest festivals around New Zealand. I graduated in 2006 from a professional circus school in Colombia. We moved to New Zealand in 2017 and opened a New Zealand branch of our school and have taught more than 100 students in our weekly after school classes. Some of our highlighted experiences in teaching has been working for a New Zealand Polytechnic teaching for their circus degree program, the biggest youth circus network in Europe, and for a renowned London street circus programme.  We teach juggling and acrobalance and performed a 45-minute show for a local school. 

 

Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes

I taught juggling and trapeze to passengers (families) for five years onboard cruise ships. In 2013 I moved to London and started working for a renowned street circus programme, working with 11-25 year olds in acrobatics, street dance and traditional circus skills. The young people we work with were mainly targeted as ‘hard to reach’ including young people with behavioural or learning difficulties, under-confident, speak English as a second language and young refugees and asylum seekers.

 

I worked 2 years in a row at a festival teaching various circus disciplines to kids from all around the United Kingdom (ages 10 to 18). The festival usually goes for a week where they learnt exercises, routines and created their own pieces to perform at the Gala show over the weekend for the community in general.

 

I moved to New Zealand late 2017. I have had the opportunity to come down to Wellington for a week at a time in the last two years to teach a professional degree at a local Polytechnic. I teach after school circus classes at our dance and circus school (juggling, hula hoop, handstands, acrobalance, aerial silks, aerial hoop) for ages 5-7, 8-12 and adults 3 days a week. I also help with the creation process at the end of the year where all the students get together to create and perform a show for families and friends 

 

Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice

We would love to be a part of the Creatives in Schools programme because it's a way we can give back to the youth of today. We believe circus is a powerful tool that can empower students to make them believe in themselves, work as a team, build strong relationships, trust others and way to get them 'in the moment'. Circus is a fun way to move, increase flexibility, stamina, mobility, co-ordination and strength and has been proven to contribute to mental health and wellbeing. I wish I had had this opportunity when I was younger and I believe that there are many students out there with untapped potential that may not be into 'sports' and circus could be their 'outlet' for sharing/telling their stories in a bold and creative way.

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