MEET THE COMPANY

AERIAL STRAPS

Veronica Blair is an accomplished aerialist, choreographer, and circus researcher whose work bridges artistry and advocacy. She is the recipient of the 2021 Gerbode Foundation Choreographers Award, the 2020 American Circus Educators Award for Innovation, and the Community Impact Award at the inaugural International Circus Awards for her creation of the Uncle Junior Project, a multimedia archive highlighting people of African descent in American circus. In 2013 she curated the live exhibition Entrapment to Entertainment: A Celebration of Black People in American Circus.Veronica has been invited to speak at institutions including the Smithsonian and the San Francisco International Arts Festival, and she regularly facilitates discussions on equity, representation, and abuse prevention through the Circus and Changing Realities series in partnership with CircusTalk. Her artistry on stage and her voice offstage continue to shape the future of the circus arts. instagram.com/veronica_blair_aerialist

DUO ACROBATICS

Toni Cannon is a powerful acrobat and strongman who brings passion and resilience to every performance. He began his circus career later in life but quickly immersed himself in training under masters such as Lu Yi and Dominik Wyss, developing skills in Chinese pole, partner acrobatics, and hand-to-hand. His performance credits include Topsy Turvy Circus, Circus Bella, This is Acrosanct, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf,and his own solo show Reflection. Toni thrives on finding new ways to express himself through movement, and he draws inspiration from the parallels between acrobatic challenges and life’s obstacles. He continues to share his artistry with audiences across the Bay Area and beyond. instagram.com/acrocannontion goes here

CLOWN

Clown, musician, and educator Jamie Coventry has a background that blends theater, music, and circus. After earning his BA at San Francisco State University, he completed two years at the Clown Conservatory of the SF Circus Center, where he began creating original shows that inspire curiosity and joy. Jamie has developed two full-length clown productions of his own and, together with Natasha Kaluza, won Best Comedy/Clown Act at the American Circus Festival two years in a row, as well as Best Duo at the Picklewater Free Circus Festival. He is also the founder of Tin Sandwich, a neo-vaudevillian harmonica ensemble performing blues, jazz, Balkan, and tango. Jamie continues to bring laughter and music to audiences of all ages through his playful and inventive work. coventryandkaluza.com

TIGHTWIRE

For over 25 years, Ariele Ebacher has combined the virtuosity of circus with the poetry of dance and theater. Trained in the traditions of both movement and storytelling, she has performed around the world in contexts ranging from black box theaters to international festivals, cruise ships to classic circus tents. Her credits include The Midnight Circus, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, NoFit State Circus, Circus Flora, Cirque Mechanics, Flynn Creek Circus, Big Apple Circus, and Venardos Circus. A dedicated advocate as well as an artist, Ariele is a co-founder of the American Circus Alliance, which works to unite and champion circus artists and organizations across the country. She is delighted to return to Circus Bella, where her artistry continues to fuse spectacle with soul. https://www.instagram.com/arielewirewalker/?hl=en

DUO ACROBATICS

Mia Fan is an emerging circus artist whose passion and dedication have made her one of the most promising young performers in the Bay Area. Currently completing her senior year of high school in Concord, CA, Mia trains rigorously at Circus Center in San Francisco, balancing her academic life with an ambitious training schedule. Her early background in musical theater and gymnastics naturally evolved into a love for the circus arts, where she now specializes in aerial rope, flying trapeze, partner acrobatics, and Chinese pole. In just a few short years, she has performed with People’s Circus Theater and The Flying Royals, and she is deeply honored to join the Circus Bella family—a company she has admired since she was six years old.

AERIAL HOOP

Dwoira Galilea is a versatile circus artist specializing in aerial hoop and contortion. A former rhythmic gymnast, she began circus training at age 11 and has been performing professionally for more than 15 years. Dwoira is known for her glamorous stage presence, distinctive costumes, and ability to captivate audiences worldwide. She has toured internationally with both traditional and contemporary circuses as well as major cruise lines, and has appeared locally at dinner cabarets, corporate events, galas, and nightclubs. Her performance credits include Strut & Fret, Vau de Vire Society, Golden Gate Dolls, Cirque Estival, Cirque Mondo, Shrine Circus, Fantazia Circus, Velocity Circus, Celebrity Cruises Entertainment, the Edwardian Ball, and the 50th Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Offstage, Dwoira is pursuing a Pilates certification while continuing to perform with passion wherever possible. instagram.com/dwoiragalilea

CONTORTION

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA, Elise Hing discovered her natural flexibility at age 12 and quickly developed a passion for contortion. She trains regularly in San Francisco under coach Leslie Tipton and has shared her art in performances across the Bay Area and beyond. Elise has appeared with Flynn Creek Circus and competed as an emerging professional at VivaFest Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023. With Circus Bella she continues to delight audiences through her playful, awe-inspiring shapes and movements. Outside the circus ring, Elise enjoys exploring the redwoods, caring for her pets, and pursuing creative projects like sewing. instagram.com/elise_hing

CLOWN

Calvin Kai Ku is a Bay Area performer whose clowning brings laughter and healing to both the stage and the community. His background in theater and circus has led him to appearances at the WuQiao International Circus Festival, Teatro ZinZanni, Zaccho Dance Theatre, theme parks, and private events. As Artistic Director of the Medical Clown Project, Calvin also leads a team of professional clowns who ease stress and anxiety in hospitals and assisted living facilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. With a unique mix of humor, heart, and theatrical training, Calvin continues to create joy-filled connections across diverse audiences. kaikuentertainment.com

CLOWN & HULA HOOPS

Natasha Kaluza, also known as the Super Duper Hula Hooper, is a multi-talented performer blending theater, dance, music, and circus. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Theater Arts and a minor in Education, she also holds a graduate certificate in Dance. Natasha trained at the Clown Conservatory under Jeff Raz, where she met her performance partner Jamie Coventry and formed the award-winning duo Coventry & Kaluza. A quadruple threat—acting, dancing, singing, and circus—Natasha is best known for her funk- and b-girl-inspired hula hoop acts, which have earned acclaim across festivals and circus stages. Her work continues to merge virtuosity and fun, bringing joy to audiences of all ages. coventryandkaluza.com

ROLA BOLA

Ori Quesada is a Bay Area native and lifelong acrobat who began training at age seven under Master Lu Yi and Teacher Xia Ke Min in traditional Chinese acrobatics. At sixteen he developed his signature Rola Bola Kick Bowls act, which he continues to perform today. Over the past 25 years, Ori has appeared with Troupe Vertigo, Sweet Can, Circus Bella, Circus Nonsense, and the Santa Rosa Symphony, and was featured in the first Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival and with the LA Opera. Most recently, he performed in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf. Ori is thrilled to return to Circus Bella, bringing his skill, artistry, and hometown pride under the big top.

BOUNCE JUGGLING & GAUCHOS

Ossy Sanchez is a fifth-generation traditional circus artist from Mexico City who has been performing since the age of eleven. His repertoire includes trampoline, tumbling, gaucho, Russian swing, and juggling—his favorite act, inspired by watching his father perform on television. Ossy has since carried on the family tradition, bringing his juggling and circus artistry to theaters, tents, and arenas around the world. Proud of his heritage and deeply committed to the circus life, Ossy continues to delight audiences with both skill and heart. instagram.com/ossy_sanchez/?hl=en

FOOT JUGGLING, ROUSTABOUT & COMPANY ARTISAN

Jack Weinstock is a multifaceted circus artist and artisan whose path has woven together theater, design, and acrobatics. A graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in technical theater and design, Jack went on to train in clowning at the SF Circus Center and later studied foot juggling at the Hebei Wuqiao School of Acrobatic Arts in China. Her career has included roles as Technical Director and instructor at San Marin High School, as well as teaching positions with Circus Center and Prescott Circus Theatre. At Circus Bella, Jack contributes both onstage as a performer and behind the scenes as a craftsperson, builder, and all-around roustabout, blending artistry and resourcefulness in equal measure.

TRUMPET

Ian Carey is an East Bay-based trumpeter, composer, and educator whose work spans jazz, experimental music, and circus. He leads the Ian Carey Quintet+1 and Wood/Metal/Plastic, and he performs regularly with ensembles including the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, the Morchestra, and Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra. As an educator, he teaches at the California Jazz Conservatory and Sonoma State University, and he is also an accomplished graphic designer. Ian brings his versatile musicality to Circus Bella’s All-Star Band, infusing every performance with energy and improvisational spark. iancareyjazz.com

SAXOPHONE

Kasey Knudsen is a San Francisco-based saxophonist, composer, and educator widely recognized as one of the region’s leading jazz voices. A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a BA in Jazz Composition, she has been commissioned by the San Jose Jazz New Works Festival, InterMusic SF, the de Young Museum, and others. She co-leads groups including the Schimscheimer Family Trio, the Holly Martins, and the Klaxon Mutant Allstars, and collaborates with artists from TuneYards to Fred Frith. Named by Paste Magazine as one of “10 Female Instrumentalists Who Redefine Jazz,” Kasey continues to expand the boundaries of her art while bringing her powerful sound to the Circus Bella All-Star Band. kaseyknudsenmusic.com

PERCUSSION

Michael Pinkham has been a cornerstone of the Bay Area music scene since the early 1990s. He has recorded and toured internationally with artists ranging from Joan Baez to Linda Tillery, Peter Rowan, Diego’s Umbrella, and the Oakland Symphony. A versatile percussionist, he performs with Kugelplex, the Lost at Home Drumline, and multiple local projects, and since 2008 has been the drummer for the Circus Bella All-Star Band. Michael’s dynamic playing and deep groove help drive the heartbeat of the circus.

TUBA

Jonathan Seiberlich is a tuba player, composer, and educator active throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. He has performed with the San Francisco Symphony, Jazz Mafia Collective, Grateful Brass, Honor Brass Band, Kyle Athayde Dance Party, and Circus Bella, among many others, and has shared the stage with Sigur Rós, Veronica Swift, and the California Honeydrops. As a composer and producer, he releases original work under the name Jensen Engineering and leads the Jonathan Seiberlich Quintet. Jonathan holds performance degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and USC, and currently teaches tuba at Sonoma State University. His blend of classical training and brass band spirit brings depth and vitality to the Circus Bella All-Star Band. instagram.com/grandtoobah/?hl=en

KEYBOARD

Katy Stephan is a pianist, vocalist, and composer known for moving fluidly between classical, jazz, and pop. Her voice has been featured in film and television soundtracks including X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Catwoman, and The Time Machine,and she has appeared as a soloist with the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Katy has composed and performed original music for theater, dance, and circus, including work with Vau de Vire Society. Since 2011 she has also been the resident singing pianist at San Francisco’s Comstock Saloon. With Circus Bella, Katy brings her versatility and expressive artistry to the Circus Bella All-Star Band. katystephan.com

VIOLIN

Christina Walton is a violinist and actor based in the East Bay who performs extensively in theater and concert settings. Her credits include Matchbox Magic Flute, Paradise Square, and Ain’t Too Proud at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and Nobody Loves You at American Conservatory Theater. Onstage, she has appeared in immersive actor-musician productions such as Wildfire at Z Space and Once with 42nd Street Moon, for which she won a Theatre Bay Area award. Christina also serves as concertmaster for the Oakland Civic Orchestra and collaborates with jazz vocalist Faye Carol. With a background that bridges classical training and theatrical storytelling, she brings both precision and playfulness to Circus Bella’s All-Star Band.

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR & RIGHT HAND MAN

Carlo Gentile is a director, performer, and educator who has worked in circus for over 15 years. A graduate of the SF Circus Center’s Clown Conservatory, he also trained in China, where he honed his foot juggling act. Carlo has performed with Circus Flora, the Royal Lichtenstein Circus, and the Zoppé Italian Family Circus, appearing as a clown, juggler, unicyclist, and diabolo artist. He has also served as Artistic Director for CircEsteem and the Chicago Youth Circus. At Circus Bella, Carlo oversees production with the same artistry and care he brings to performance, ensuring that the show delights audiences from start to finish.

MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Avery Ucker found her way to the circus through the well-worn path of Middle Eastern diplomacy, dance, arms dealing, and tech. In her 10+ years at YouTube, she worked on every facet of the company, launching key products including YouTube Premium and YouTube TV, building YouTube’s first brand strategy, and leading internal and external efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community. She was a Development Officer at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and helped that institution weather the aftermath of the late aughts’ financial crisis. Avery has trained, coached, and performed circus in New England, Chicago, and San Francisco. Avery received her B.A. from Reed College, studied at the American University in Cairo, completed Executive Education at Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, and graduated from New England Center for Circus Arts’ 3-year ProTrack program with a focus on dance trapeze and clown. Her dog Ruby has an underbite, a snaggle tooth, and a corkscrew tail. averyucker.com

COSTUME DESIGNER

Autumn Adamme, founder of Dark Garden Unique Corsetry, is renowned as the “Godmother of Modern Corsetry.” Since launching her San Francisco atelier in 1989, she has pioneered corsetry for a contemporary audience, blending historical influences with modern aesthetics. Her designs are sought after worldwide, and she continues to set standards for craftsmanship and innovation in the field. At Circus Bella, Autumn’s costumes bring whimsy, elegance, and theatrical flair to the ring.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Tristan Fabiunke is a San Francisco based lighting designer and recent graduate from SF state. He was last with Circus Bella last Winter as lighting designer for Kaleidoscope. Most recently: Associate Lighting Designer and Programmer for West Edge Opera. Lighting designer for MCT'S Addams Family, Upcoming: Assistant Designer for a world premier Ballet at SF ballet, and Lighting Design for MCT'S Midsummer Night's Dream.