MACKENZIE SAVILL

AERIAL SILKS - HOOP/LYRA INSTRUCTOR

Mackenzie has dedicated years to the development of her aerial practice. She is a multi-disciplinary aerialist, performer and instructor. Her background in competitive gymnastics and dance engrained a deep sense of mindful practice, functional strength training and body awareness.

In more recent years, Mackenzie has travelled internationally to deepen her practice. She has attended several aerial intensive workshops and classes in exploration of both classical and contemporary circus arts. She is an NCCP certified coach and has been teaching at Discover Circus for 4 years and counting.

Her classes include skill development, technique, conditioning, aerial stamina, safety awareness and act development. She hopes to inspire her students to find their own sense of expression through aerial movement.

JORDYN PENRY

AERIAL HOOP/LYRA INSTRUCTOR

As is a lifelong performer it was only a matter of time before Jordyn would find herself in the world of circus. As a classically trained dancer, Jordyn has been dancing her entire life, always pushing to try new things and advance herself in all aspects of performance, Jordyn has trained around the world. Taking her first-ever aerial class in london she was immediately addicted.

Jordyn Is apart of the performance troupe Circus Acts Insomniacs, Jordyn’s performance experience and 6 years of teaching dance makes her the perfect fit for discover circus, she lives to do what she loves and no one can stop her.

ALLY ROBERTON

DANCE TRAPEZE - INSTRUCTOR

More comfortable upside down, Ally naturally gravitated toward aerial arts. She began training dance trapeze in Toronto in 2014 and has since expanded her training to lyra, static trapeze, silks, dance, and partner work.

Ally pushes herself to dive deeper into self-exploration and growth by training solo, with her peers, and training with world renowned coaches in Canada and internationally. She is a certified hatha and yin yoga teacher, black belt in Karate, and holds certificates in Costuming and Rigging for aerialists.

Ally is passionate about the many different aspects of circus theatre, and expresses this passion by creating and touring with local troupe Circus Acts Insomniacs. She hopes that she can share this passion with her students at Discover Circus!

SIOVHAN WILLIAMSON

HANDSTANDS & PARTNER ACROBATICS INSTRUCTOR

My circus journey began unbeknownst to me on Saltspring Island in 2013, where I completed a 200h yoga teacher training as a prerequisite to enrolling in Acro Yoga Montreal's teacher training in 2014. My time in Montreal sparked a deep interest in the circus arts, and upon returning to Vancouver, I began training and performing with The Underground Circus in Vancouver. I did a variety of work over 4 years with TUC including hand-to-hand balancing, aerials, puppeteering, and harness work, dabbling in teeterboard training, fire, and the flow arts as well.

I relocated to Nelson BC in 2017, and am honored to be part of the vibrant and talented circus community in the Kootenays. I perform as a member of Acromada, taking part in various BC festivals and events. Circus has expanded my world and changed my life, and the journey continues.

My philosophy as a movement educator is that people are innately experts of our own individual movements, and that movement is a joyful expression of our beings. My role as an instructor is to offer technically precise information about the ‘how to’ of skills while inspiring my students’ confidence to explore their own innate movement. This approach is informed by my extensive experience as a competitive artistic gymnastics athlete and coach, ballet and contemporary dancer, a teacher within BC's education system, and my current work as a Registered Massage Therapist.

ANDREA LEGG

AERIAL SILKS INSTRUCTOR

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. I studied classical and contemporary dance and eventually moved to Montreal to attend LADMMI, a professional dance program. After graduating in 2004, I realized my love for aerial acrobatic arts and quickly turned my sights to the Montreal circus world. I worked as an independent artist for 6 years traveling the world working for various companies and producing my own work. Then in 2010 I began the creation journey with Cavalia, Odysseo and spent the last 5 years of my career touring this show all over North and Central America.

VIVIAN HUGHAN

BOARD MEMBER

Born flipping, jumping & climbing in her mom's tummy, acrobat Viv Hughan has inherent passion for creative movement. Growing up as a gymnast and avid outdoor enthusiast, her main interests keep her active in aerial silks, acro yoga, gymnastics, climbing, skiing, dance and yoga. Vivian lives in Nelson, BC where she coaches at Glacier Gymnastics, trains at Discover Circus and is an acro-yogi & aerialist with Acromada.