The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

In this iconic interview, multidisciplinary artist and athlete Jared Khalifa talks about what inspired his journey from capoeira, to tumbling, to music, theatre, dance, and now Cirque du Soleil! Jared goes on a deep dive revealing his favourite discipline, how he's overcome setbacks, and the biggest lessons he has learned as a young professional artist.

Jared is a multidisciplinary artist and athlete, born and raised in Vancouver. Jared's interests in music and movement first sparked while training in capoeira, leading him to pursue gymnastics, dance, voice and musical theatre.

As a tumbler, Jared has competed globally - representing Canada at three World Age Group Championships, earning two World Cup Silver medals, twelve National Championship medals and three Canadian titles. While competing on the international stage, Jared was featured for two seasons as a VIP athlete at the All Star Games live spectacle. Alongside his gymnastics career, Jared continued to work in the theatre industry and has been seen in productions such as Beauty and the Beast (The Arts Club), Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat (Royal City Musical Theatre), the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and live appearances in concert with Barry Manilow, Foreigner and Eric Church with the group Showstoppers.

In 2015, Jared was scouted by Cirque Du Soleil and offered a select position at Cirque IHQ in Montreal. Shortly after beginning a position in their professional training program, he accepted a contract for the arena touring show OVO, as a part of the original recreation cast.

Following his time on tour, Jared dove into the Film and Television industry as a dancer, actor and stunt performer. Some of his notable credits include Schmigadoon (Apple TV), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Paramount Pictures), Bring It On: Cheer or Die (Syfy) Descendants 3 (Disney), The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (Netflix), Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (NBC), Christmas Chronicles II (Netflix), Motherland: Fort Salem (Freeform/Hulu), Cinderella Story: A Christmas Wish (Warner Bros), video games with EA Games and more.

In 2021, after a global casting produced by Cirque Du Soleil, Jared was humbled to join the cast of Mystère in Las Vegas, and be one of the few people in the show's history to play the lead character of Red Bird. You can follow along on Jared's journey and the casting process in the Cirque Du Soleil produced docuseries, In Search of the Red Bird.

In tandem to his stage and screen career, Jared is a passionate teacher and performance industry advocate. He has taught for internationally recognized dance and acrobatic curriculums, led teacher- training programs, and been on faculty at a variety of conventions. Jared holds a position on the UBCP/ACTRA Dance and Choreography committee – representing artists and bringing awareness to the importance and value of dancers and choreographers in Film and Television.

Follow Jared on Instagram: @jared_khalifa

Do your students get headaches in acro class? It's more common than you think! In this episode, Master Teacher Meaghan Wegg, who's spent a good part of her Aerial and Acro career upside down, provides insight and her top tips to help your students minimize and prevent headaches in class.

Looking for some practical exercises with visuals? Check out Meaghan's Weekly Mini presentation, Managing Headaches During Acro Class, on YouTube!

Meaghan Wegg

Meaghan grew up dancing where she studied Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Acro. In 2001, Meaghan was accepted in to L'Ecole Nationale de Cirque in Montreal where she specialized in aerial hoop and contortion with additional training in Ballet, Contemporary and Modern. Upon graduation in 2005, Meaghan performed professionally as a principal dancer in many roles, including the cast of ‘Tomorrow' (Pigeons, International) and the cast of ‘Loft' (7 Fingers). From 2009 – 2012, Meaghan performed on tour globally with Cirque Du Soleil's ‘Quidam' as a feature aerialist.

Following an extremely successful performance career, Meaghan shifted her focus to coaching and choreography. In 2013 Meaghan graduated with a diploma from L'Ecole Nationale de Cirque (Montreal, Canada) with a major in Research of Acrobatics, and a minor in Hand to Hand partnering for dancers.

Currently she works as a private acrobatic coach and choreographer, and attracts students from around the world with a focus on career development, choreography and professional stage preparation. Meaghan founded Move With The Beat dance competitions in 2013. She is the Australia, New Zealand and Singapore Division manager for Acrobatic Arts since 2015. Most recently she has launched her Aerial Arts Online syllabus guiding teachers with her course for their students and class preparations. Meaghan started The Academy Circus as a local London, Ontario circus and acrobatic facility in 2017.

Meaghan recently has been hired for global choreographic projects in Australia, Montreal, France, China and India creating large scale shows for special events, Casino shows and year end performance university shows. She is passionate about welcoming everyone into the performance industry while sharing tips and tools about making it a reality. She is now an on call Artistic Coach with Cirque du Soleil. Meaghan is very happy to be settled in her home town of London Ontario with her small family!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Curious about what it takes to start Aerial Arts at your studio? In this interview, studio owner and Acrobatic Arts Master Teacher Kate Evans candidly discusses the growing pains of introducing this unique program to her business. Listen in to find out how Aerial Arts has become a catalyst to success for Kate's students in every dance genre!

About Kate Evans

Kate commenced her training at the age of 2 and danced throughout her entire childhood under the training of Maria Shanks. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre. Kate completed all examinations in classical ballet with the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and in all genres with Comdance including Jazz, Tap, Theatrical and Ballet.

Following this she trained full time at Brent Street Studios (Sydney) and completed her Certificate IV in Performing Arts.

After graduating from high school Kate was accepted into BA Medicine at University of NSW however deferred, and accepted the position at Brent Street Studios.
Kate recommenced her BA Medicine however transferred her focus into a Bachelor of Psychology after 2 years, completing and attaining the BA in Psychology at the Queensland University of Technology.

Kate has had a professional career and gone on to share her love of the performing arts and acrobatics/aerial arts through teaching students, professionals, certifying teachers, examining and adjudicating, at a range of locations both locally and globally. Kate has always had a passion and love for teaching and commenced teaching in her early teens. Whilst completing her Bachelor of Psychology Kate also attained dance teaching qualifications including Comdance Modern Jazz Teachers Diploma, Comdance Tap Teachers Diploma, Comdance Classical Ballet Teachers Diploma and Comdance Theatrical Teachers Diploma. Kate also attained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching with the Royal Academy of Dance and is currently a registered teacher for the RAD.

Kate now runs and manages her own Performing Arts and Acro and Aerial studio in QLD, Beats Per Minute Performing Arts, and Beats Per Minute Acro and Aerial. With over 22 years teaching experience Kate has trained students from the age of 2 years to Professional in all areas of dance, acrobatics, aerial and singing with many of her former students dancing and teaching professionally around the world in musicals, movies and cruise ships.

Kate is Alixa Flexibility Certified Module 1, 2, 3 and Course Conductor, delivering teacher certification courses to teachers globally. Kate also hold qualifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Aerial Arts Hammock and Hoop certified teacher, and a Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet licensee.

Module 3 certified, Kate is a Course Conductor and Examiner for Acrobatic Arts, and manages the Australia, New Zealand, and Asian divisions of Acrobatic Arts Examinations faculty. Kate is also Course Conductor and Office manager for Aerial Arts. Kate has a passion for the biomechanics of dance/acro/aerial and endorsing safe and progressive dance/acro/aerial training. Kate is honoured to be be apart of the Acrobatic Arts faculty and thrilled to be sharing her passion and knowledge with the next generation of students and teachers!

Beats Per Minute Performing Arts - https://www.instagram.com/beatsperminutepa/

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Acrobatic Arts Master Teacher Jill Ford brings to light the benefits of Acro exams to both dancers and teachers. As a successful Acro studio owner Jill brings a perspective and some excellent points -- many you may not have considered! If you're currently doing exams or considering them you won't want to miss this episode full of case studies and real life examples.

About Jill Ford

Jill was originally from Regina, Saskatchewan where she danced competitively in the areas of ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and baton twirling for 17 years. She went on to teaching dance, baton and acrobatics in her home city and now resides in Edmonton, Alberta where she has opened her own studio specializing in Acrobatics and Baton Twirling. She completed her bachelor of Education (k-5) at the University of Regina which has furthered her expertise as an acrobatic and dance teacher. Jill has travelled the world as an athlete and coach representing Canada at 8 World Baton Twirling Championships and now continually is committed to keeping young children involved in the areas of acrobatics, dance and baton twirling. She is very happy and honoured to be part of the Acrobatic Arts staff and loves sharing her passion and knowledge with students and teachers!

Jill's credentials include: Bachelor of Education, Canadian Dance Teachers Association Certified Teacher, Canadian Baton Twirling Association Level 2 Coach, Inductee of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Need some visuals? Check out Jill's Weekly Mini presentation, Benefits to Exams with Jill Ford, on YouTube!

For more info about Acrobatic Arts exams visit https://www.acrobaticarts.com/#/page/custom/30/12

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Need some confidence getting an acro program started at your studio? In this interview, studio owner and Acrobatic Arts Master Teacher Cheryl Crawford discusses her own highs and lows on the journey of starting an acro program. Cheryl explains what tools and resources helped her not only get started, but grow a reputable and successful program that has grown to over 400 students today!

About Cheryl Crawford

Started dancing at the age of 5 taking ballet & tap lessons at the local Town Hall, by the age of 10 years I loved everything about dance.

Trained for 3 years at the Theatre School of dance & drama, Edinburgh where I studied RAD Ballet, I.S.T.D Tap & Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, singing & Acting.

I loved every minute of it and graduated with my RAD Registered teacher status in 1999.

Although I loved performing my biggest passion was teaching so in 2001 I set up my own school, 8 months after having my first child, needless to say, my hands were full!

16 years (and another child later) later I now have my own Dance Studio where we offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Cheer, Contemporary and my new favourite Acrobatic Arts.

I am one of the lucky ones that can say I enjoy going to work!

I am honoured to be part of the Acrobatic Arts Staff and look forward to growing with the company.

Links Mentioned:

Facebook M1 Certified Teachers Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AcroArtsCertified

Acrobatic Arts Exams - https://www.acrobaticarts.com/#/page/custom/30/12

Acrobatic Arts Teacher Training Courses & Workshops - https://www.acrobaticarts.com/#/page/custom/2/26

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Master Teacher Sarah Reis provides an overview of hte types of mats you might consider for your AcroDance training program! Sarah's got helpful ideas for getting started and tips for adding as your program develops. Spoiler alert: you don't need much!

In her early development Sarah split her time between gymnastics and dance then later got into circus work and competitive rock climbing. The combination of these skills led her to a performance career as a stunt double in the thriving Vancouver film scene. While enjoying a professional performance career she worked on various projects including cruiseship contracts, print, television, film and nightlife productions. Sarah has always felt it was important to continue her education and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2006. After graduation Sarah started work as an artistic sport rehabilitation specialist in a Physiotherapy clinic during the day while teaching dance in the evening. At the clinic Sarah primarily designed return to training programs for injured artistic athletes.

Sarah is a certified teacher in acrobatics through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) and is a level three coach in women's artistic gymnastics with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Sarah holds longstanding certificates with many established dance teacher, Pilates and fitness related organizations. Sarah eventually returned to school to study contemporary dance at Simon Fraser University and completed a second degree in Education. Sarah spent some time working in the school district, holding an official teaching license with the BC ministry of Education in the specialty of performing arts and physical education. In 2008 she completed her Master's degree in Human Performance Coaching Sciences from the University of Victoria where she researched in the field of athletic motor development and later developed the curriculum for the International Dance Teaching Standards teacher education program for developing dance educators. Sarah began her doctorate research in Leadership Education but has since switched her focus to Dance Medicine. Within her research Sarah is interested in AcroDance teaching methodology and recently presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.

When not touring as a public speaker, Sarah is the director of a large dance competition and manages a physiotherapy clinic among other small businesses. Sarah has spent the last decade touring worldwide presenting at various universities, dance conventions and conferences and can also be seen live from Los Angeles with CLI Studios. With a strong creative pull Sarah has been choreographing AcroDance lines and productions for more than twenty years and continues to be passionate about student development when she is home and able to teach in her hometown. Module three certified, Sarah is an examiner and course conductor here at Acrobatic Arts.

Need some visuals? Check out Sarah's Weekly Mini presentation, Next pieces of equipment to buy and what you can do with them, on YouTube!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Are you a Certified Teacher? Have you added your studio to our Certified Studios Map? Join Michelle McBride, Acrobatic Arts Marketing Director, as she walks you through the process and explains why this is an important step in your Certification!

About Michelle McBride

Michelle has a degree in visual communication design and has worked in the industry for 20 years. She works with Acrobatic Arts as a marketing director and also consults several local studios. She has worked with large national and international brands to small local businesses and government agencies. Michelle has been a dance instructor for over 20 years and is a certified instructor in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, AcroDance Preschool, Aerial Arts and is a certified adjudicator.

Need some visuals? Check out Michelle's Weekly Mini presentation, How to add your Studio to the Certified Studios Map, on YouTube!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Angela Kim is a professional figure skater, contortionist, aerialist, and Founder of Balanced Skaters. She is recognized for her versatility, but it's the blending of disciplines that sets her apart. We talk to Angela about her unique career, a comeback after double hip reconstruction, and how she's made a professional career on the ice and under the big top!

Angela Kim is a Professional Figure Skater, Circus Artist, & Founder of Balanced Skaters. Angela comes from an eclectic background: she began skating at the age of 6 and competed until age 18. She's been performing ever since.

She started her professional career back in 2000 with Ice Theatre of New York, Inc.® and has held principal positions for Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice, Royal Caribbean, Art on Ice, and Cirque du Soleil since then.

Her long-standing success stems from years of experience working with the body in many different disciplines. She discovered circus arts in 2006, and has been studying traditional Mongolian contortion and aerial acrobatics for over a decade.

During this time, she also opened and co-owned a successful pilates studio called Studio Blue in Portland, Oregon, where she began to develop the Balanced Skaters program. After several years of coaching and running her studio, she began mixing circus with figure skating, putting her on the map as one of the few pioneering skaters to mix disciplines.

In 2015 Angela received her certification as an Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) mobility specialist. She began coaching full-time on and off the ice in Oakland, CA, and opened her second pilates studio, Pilates Loft Oakland.

After 2 years of being away from performing, she received an offer from Cirque du Soleil to perform as an inline skater and aerialist in their new creation, Volta.

During her time in Cirque, she continued to coach as well. She was asked to teach for Acrobatic Arts and was thrilled to be a part of a program that helped young dancers build strong, capable, and healthy bodies.

Angela saw a disconnect in the skating world and wanted to make a larger impact in reaching broader skating communities. She teamed up with Acrobatic Arts to create Balanced Skaters.

Balanced Skaters: https://www.balancedskaters.com/

Balanced Skaters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedskaters/

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Master Teacher Kate Evans explains why shoulder and hip flexibility are critical for bridge work. Kate also helps you put what you learn into action with exercises to increase your dancers' mobility in their shoulders and hips. Listen Now!

About Kate Evans

Kate commenced her training at the age of 2 and danced throughout her entire childhood under the training of Maria Shanks. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre. Kate completed all examinations in classical ballet with the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and in all genres with Comdance including Jazz, Tap, Theatrical and Ballet.

Following this she trained full time at Brent Street Studios (Sydney) and completed her Certificate IV in Performing Arts.

After graduating from high school Kate was accepted into BA Medicine at University of NSW however deferred, and accepted the position at Brent Street Studios. Kate recommenced her BA Medicine however transferred her focus into a Bachelor of Psychology after 2 years, completing and attaining the BA in Psychology at the Queensland University of Technology.

Kate has had a professional career and gone on to share her love of the performing arts and acrobatics/aerial arts through teaching students, professionals, certifying teachers, examining and adjudicating, at a range of locations both locally and globally. Kate has always had a passion and love for teaching and commenced teaching in her early teens. Whilst completing her Bachelor of Psychology Kate also attained dance teaching qualifications including Comdance Modern Jazz Teachers Diploma, Comdance Tap Teachers Diploma, Comdance Classical Ballet Teachers Diploma and Comdance Theatrical Teachers Diploma. Kate also attained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching with the Royal Academy of Dance and is currently a registered teacher for the RAD.

Kate now runs and manages her own Performing Arts and Acro and Aerial studio in QLD, Beats Per Minute Performing Arts, and Beats Per Minute Acro and Aerial. With over 22 years teaching experience Kate has trained students from the age of 2 years to Professional in all areas of dance, acrobatics, aerial and singing with many of her former students dancing and teaching professionally around the world in musicals, movies and cruise ships.

Kate is Alixa Flexibility Certified Module 1, 2, 3 and Course Conductor, delivering teacher certification courses to teachers globally. Kate also hold qualifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Aerial Arts Hammock and Hoop certified teacher, and a Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet licensee.

Module 3 certified, Kate is a Course Conductor and Examiner for Acrobatic Arts, and manages the Australia, New Zealand, and Asian divisions of Acrobatic Arts Examinations faculty. Kate is also Course Conductor and Office manager for Aerial Arts. Kate has a passion for the biomechanics of dance/acro/aerial and endorsing safe and progressive dance/acro/aerial training. Kate is honoured to be be apart of the Acrobatic Arts faculty and thrilled to be sharing her passion and knowledge with the next generation of students and teachers!

Need some visuals? Check out Kate's Weekly Mini presentation, Why is shoulder and hip flexibility important for Bridge Work?, on YouTube!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Master Teacher Vicki Fletcher gives ideas for drills and skills that you can work on with your incline mat. You will find great ideas for building strength and confidence in little to advanced dancers!

Vicki Fletcher was born and currently lives in Ontario Canada and has been dancing since the age of 2. She soon realized that her love for all forms of dance was something she wanted to share with others through teaching. She began teaching at the age of 17 and has been doing it ever since. Vicki brings 25 years of teaching experience in jazz,tap,acro,lyrical, stretch and conditioning and musical theatre.

Vicki graduated from Dance Masters of America's Teacher's Training School at Kent State University and the University of New York in Buffalo and is also certified through the Ontario's Gymnastics Federation.

Vicki has adjudicated dance competitions and has taught workshops at many studios in Canada. She feels it is very important to stay current with your training so attends workshops and conventions whenever she can. She has won many awards for her creative and innovative choreography and her students have won numerous awards,scholarships and titles. Many have gone on to pursue their own careers in dance whether it be performing in companies or on cruise ships, studying dance in University and becoming teachers themselves.

Through her years of teaching Vicki has become more and more passionate towards the acro aspect of dance and has had great success in building a strong acro studio. This love for acro and the desire to see it done safely by teachers and students is what makes being a part of Acrobatic Arts so exciting for her.

She is looking forward to working with students and teachers from all over the world who share her passion for acro.

Need some visuals? Check out Vicki's Weekly Mini presentation, Many ways to use an incline mat, on YouTube!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com