Get To Know Roc City Circus

Emma brings with her an extensive 11-year NYS certification in childhood education. She is also certified to work with students with disabilities. Emma has been teaching dance and flexibility classes for children, along with choreographed dance routines for live performances for years in the Rochester area. She is also trained in CPR and First Aid. She loves to encourage children to exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices using positive reinforcement, such as saying, “Let’s go play at the Circus!”

After moving to Rochester from St. Louis in 2015, in hopes of finding a new community of friends based around fun and fitness, it all began with an introductory Aerial workshop, and there was no looking back!

Audra has experience in Aerial Silks and Static Trapeze, but Lyra (Aerial Hoop) and teaching Youth Aerial is where her passion truly lies. Performing at numerous events in Rochester and Buffalo Audra’s favorite part of teaching is being able to share the passion and encouragement that got her to where she is today.

In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and two children, spending time with friends and doing anything active. She has four rescue cats and is told she can’t have any more. We shall see…

Stretch & Flexibility, & Youth Aerial Program Instructor 

photo credit Olivia Kaiser Photography

Sophia began her training in the Circus Arts in 2015. Training on Lyra (Aerial Hoop) Static Trapeze and Aerial Silks. Competing in the St Louis 2019 Aerialympics, flying away with two silver medals.

Sophia teaches stretch and flexibility classes,  and, the youth program at Roc City Circus. When she is not training hard, Sophia is a student at RIT and is studying Visual Media.

Hilda fell in love with Aerial Arts in 2014 in Northern California, where she was involved with a community teaching, performance organizing and taking opportunities to practice in the redwood forest.

In 2017, she moved to Rochester, making Aerial training, teaching, and performance a priority in navigating a new home.

Ashely was introduced to the Circus Arts in 2015 when she took an introductory Aerial Hoop class. From there, she was immediately hooked and has continued to train and performed on multiple apparatuses.

Her passions include Lyra (Aerial Hoop), Static Trapeze, and partner or “doubles” work. Experienced in instructing both children and adults and loves to watch her students grow over time.

Ashely works as a legal assistant during the day, and when she’s not hanging upside down, she spends her free time enjoying outdoor activities, hanging out with friends, and learning everything there is to know about whales.

Aerial Silks, Straps, and Basic Handstands Instructor

Chris is very passionate about the Circus and performing Arts. Starting in 2010 with Aerial Silks, Chris has expanded his skills to include, Aerial Straps and is an avid practitioner of Handstands, dabbles in Juggling, Cyr Wheel, Acro and now the Flying Trapeze!

Chris has trained in Rochester, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Montreal, Berlin, and Des Moines, always learning and gathering as much knowledge from as many sources as he can. During the day he gives his body a little break as a software architect, and where he’s not practicing, teaching, or working, her might be taking photos or waiting on Neal Gaiman to write another book.

Mindy began her love for the Aerial Circus Arts in 2012. While training to run marathons, she took an Aerial Silks class with a friend. She was immediately hooked! Mindy has been teaching in the Circus and Aerial Arts since 2014. She has an extensive background in group aerobic exercise instruction with a prior AFAA certification. Mindy brings that passion to all of her classes. She looks forward to sharing her love of Aerial and fitness with you.

Mindy’s home is filled with her love for animals. She and her husband share their home with three birds and two dogs.

Kira began training in 2004 on various apparatuses such as swinging and Chinese pole. She has been performing professionally for years and began teaching in the Circus Arts in 2015. Her current passion is Aerial Hoop (Lyra)
015. Her current passion is Lyra (Aerial Hoop).

Kira has her master’s in education with a focus in working with special needs students, both children and adults. Kira is also a licensed massage therapist, which comes in handy when discussing muscle groups and how to utilize your body when working through various Aerial skills.

In her spare time, Kira is an avid gardener, a practicing herbalist, a bookworm, a gamer, and a mom. Just kidding, the mom thing takes up most of the time, so she hardly ever gets to that other stuff!

Illy fell in love with the Circus Arts in 2010, after taking her very first Aerial Silks class. Since then, she has trained on a wide range of apparatuses, including Aerial Hoop, Hammock, Cube, Frame, Tippy Hoop, Chinese Pole, Corde Lisse, Net, and of course, Static Trapeze! Bringing a vast level of knowledge ranging from beginners’ singles, too advanced level doubles training. Illy has been teaching in the Circus Arts since 2012. She looks forward to sharing her passion for flying with all of you!

When Illy is not instructing Static Trapeze classes, she enjoys spending her time doing anything fitness related. From bodybuilding competitions, rock climbs, paddleboards, cycles, hikes, Acro Yoga, and more. While fitness is important to her, being a mom is her greatest joy, she also appreciates the finer things in life, such as board games, reading, Twix bars, and craft beer.

Dance – Jazz Lyrical and Barre Above ® Instructor

Allison began her study of dance at the age of two in various studios around Syracuse, NY. She studied at the University of Hartford, taking classes in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap, and was president and choreographer for the University of Hartford Dance Team. Since moving to Rochester in 2006, Ali studied dance with Sandy Stramonine School of Dance and taught the Advanced Jazz Class for three years. After taking a break from teaching dance to have her two children, Fritz and Liam, Ali became Barre Above Certified ®.

Ali is a violinist and music teacher at Fairport Central School District. She choreographs the musicals at Fairport High School and enjoys hanging around on Aerial Silks at ROC City Circus.

Aurora grew up performing in theater she started Hula Hooping and training in the Aerial Arts in 2015. She has since gone on to perform professionally under the alias Sugar Hoops. Although self-taught in Hooping and Dance, her skills are exceptional. Aurora looks forward to sharing her skills with other upcoming stars.

Joanne is a board-certified rehabilitation medicine doctor (MD), experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT), wellness consultant, and fitness expert who is passionate about exercise as a prescription for healing. Her training includes holistic health coaching through Integrative Nutrition, and Medical Acupuncture through Harvard University. She also carries a board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine. Furthermore, she is a Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine and a Level II Reiki Practitioner.

Joanne is certified to teach Acro from Acroyoga Fit, SeattleAcro, and Acro Revolution. Furthermore, she has studied intensively with other schools of Acro, such as LIFT School of Acrobatics, Acroyoga Montreal, YogaSlackers, and Cheer style Acro.

 Zumba Instructor

Emma’s love of Zumba began in 2011 while in graduate school at Brown University where she studied immune responses to viruses. It’s been suggested that Zumba positively benefits both physical and mental health, improving heart health, immune cell function, and just generally making you feel better. For her, she keeps coming back because it is FUN! Emma became a certified Zumba instructor in 2015 and enjoys helping people dance their stress away to a healthier life. When she’s not on the dance floor, you may find her on the Aerial silks or at the wheel creating pottery, like the ROC City Circus mugs that we proudly sell at ROC City Circus.