Rodleigh Stevens – Head Coach

Click here for a full Resumé and CV

I am fifth-generation circus performer.  I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of excellence in circus arts. I am passionate about creating new circus acts and training the next generation of elite circus professionals in both traditional and contemporary circus.  I teach from basic beginner level to professional high-skill level.

I can teach all circus disciplines to an intermediate level. Aerial and ground acrobatics are my speciality; any acts requiring aerial awareness (ie. swinging, twisting and somersaulting). This includes partner and group hand-to-hand acrobatics.  I teach both bases and fliers for all acrobatic and aerial disciplines.

I coach using a combination of Direct Training (direct instruction) and Joan Vickers world-renowned Decision Training method for athletes and professionals. I incorporate comprehensive bio-mechanical principles into my instruction as well as the latest developments in specialised movement techniques.

I have over 40 years of experience teaching circus skills to a large number of students.  During my performing years, I toured around the world.  In that time, I learned secrets from circus families, handed down from one generation to the next, which I can share with you. Many of my students have become successful professional circus performers in all types of shows including Cirque du Soleil.  As a trainer I have worked for Zip Zap Circus, Flying Fruit Fly Circus School, École Nationale de Cirque (ENC) as well as Cirque du Soleil. I ran my own circus school, Trix Circus, for over 15 years and I completed Formation de Formateur at ENC in 2018. All this experience has enabled me to detect technical problems easily and accurately. I have a wealth of knowledge from which to draw on to create skill progressions that are achievable and tailored to individual needs.

I am an advanced circus rigger and I can answer all of your aerial rigging questions with authority.  I can give you advice on what rigging gear is best suited to your needs for different performing venues.  I have created a company that builds circus equipment, so I can advise you on equipment that is safe, long-lasting and best suited to your needs.

Amanda Lynch – Coach

Click here for a full Resumé and CV

Amanda discovered circus during her drama degree at the University of Queensland. She joined an all-ladies community circus group in Brisbane called Vulcana Women’s Circus where she was introduced to a diverse assortment of circus skills and included in their local and festival performances. She discovered a passion for swinging trapeze and pursued this skill enthusiastically. During her circus career development, she also learnt to do tissu, aerial hoop, duo aerial hoop, net, corde lisse, adagio, duo trapeze, duo bungee and character stilt walking and performed at corporate galas and high-end functions in Australia, Sweden, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Amanda started coaching at Flipside Youth Circus and Vulcana Women’s Circus in 2003 and discovered how much she enjoyed teaching teenagers and women. She has an energetic and enthusiastic style of coaching, using diverse methods to help her students achieve their individual circus goals. In 2008, she joined Trix Circus School where she worked as the company administrator, coach, choreographer and co-artistic director. In 2014, she took a performing and teaching contract with Stardust Circus and toured for three years across Australia.

In 2017, Amanda became the Assistant Head Coach for Sailor Circus in Sarasota, Florida. She created a 50-minute show in which 30 students represented their circus school at the 10-day Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in Washington DC in July of that year. To be featured at this festival was a great honour for the circus school and a highlight of her work with young people. Amanda then returned to Montreal to continue training swinging trapeze with Victor Fomine and decided to enroll in the Professional Circus Trainer Course offered by the École Nationale de Cirque. She specialised in vertical skills, training under experienced circus coaches including Sarah Poole, Véronique Thibeault and Éliane Domanski. The course at the Montreal school has allowed Amanda to offer her students a more complete and scientifically-based pedagogical framework.

Coaching Testimonial:

I met Amanda during her teacher’s training degree at ENC where I have been coaching aerials for the past 16 years. I have had some of the best discussions about technique and teaching methods with her. Amanda is a passionate artist, creator and coach and her energy is contagious. She is curious, intelligent, funny and is always looking to learn and share. With her as a coach, you will work hard, learn to analyse your movements and build confidence.

– Véronique Thibeault, École Nationale de Cirque, Montreal, Canada