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Circomedia Teachers
Here at Circomedia our teachers have a wide range of circus and performance experience, bringing a plethora of expertise to our ever-growing academy.
Charles Brockbank
Joint Head of Manipulation
Charles graduated from Circomedia in 2016 where his training
focused on combining technical juggling and comedy. He has worked
for a variety of successful circus companies such as Cirque Bijou, Gandini Juggling,
Desperate Men and Stumble Dance Circus as well as creating his
own work. This includes Shakedown, a bar flair stage show which
was performed recently at the European Juggling Convention as well
as for the Royal Shakespeare Company and at private corporate
events. Alongside fellow graduates Charles created Outside the Club
(Broken Box Collective), a trio juggling theatre show with a focus on
aesthetics and politics. They performed it at the Act festival in Bilbao
and will be premiering a full length version as part of Circus City in
Bristol. Since graduating Charles has taught specialist workshops and
masterclasses in juggling and slapstick to international students as
well as being a regular juggling teacher on the Circomedia BTEC
course. He is excited to work with students at degree level and bring
his skills to the course.
Charles Brockbank
Moira Hunt
Head of Physical Theatre
Moira trained as a performer in Holland and Australia specialising in
physical theatre. She works as a theatre maker, teacher, director, and
movement director. She specialises in corporeal mime, improvisation,
commedia dell’arte and is passionate about creating physical
language for an ensemble or an individual.
Moira is Director of RoughHouse Theatre, a Sydney-formed and
Bristol-based theatre company. Recent commissions and
collaborations include projects with London’s Victoria & Albert
Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, writers Nick Hornby and Daniel
Wallace, Theatre Royal Bath, and Tobacco Factory Theatres. Moira
has an MA in Performance
(Performance Collectives) from Chichester University. She is a trained
Hatha Yoga Teacher.
Moira Hunt
Rod Laver
Head of Undergraduate Studies
Head of Vocational Courses
A World Record breaking Gentleman and Ping Pong juggler. For nearly 30 years Rod has been a unique and sought-after speciality artist performing all over the world in Cabaret, Variety and on TV including twice receiving standing ovations on legendary French TV show “Le Plus Grand Cabaret Du Monde”. He has won medals at World Juggling Championships in the USA, at the Paris Variety festival and a Herald Angel award at the Edinburgh Festival. He represented the UK at the inaugural “Kamiwaza” TV variety show in Japan and has set a world record on Chinese TV. He recently appeared at the iconic Berlin Wintergarten Theatre and was also one of the few British Jugglers to appear in the Karl-Heinz Ziethen book “The Virtuosos of Juggling.” He had a long stint as resident Juggler at the Hippodrome on Saturday nights in London’s West End and is Joint Artistic Director of the Decadent Rabbit cabaret. Alongside his performing career Rod is very proud to have been Head Juggling teacher at Circomedia since the early 90s. Until recently he held a similar position at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London before deciding to expand and concentrate on his Circomedia career by taking on the role of Deputy to the Head of Undergraduate Studies.
Rod Laver
Emily Orme
Head of Movement
Emily is a Movement Director and teacher for stage and screen. She comes from a dance background, training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Whilst pursuing a performance career in dance Emily came across physical theatre and found an interest in the value movement holds to support text and narrative. She went on to complete a Masters in Movement Directing and Teaching at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Emily enjoys using movement to unite people and celebrate the individuality in physical expression. She is actively committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, and playful process that builds a truly collaborative ensemble.
Movement directing credits include film Magic Mike’s Last Dance, short film We Came Here to Dance premiered on Nowness, Bastille music video Shut Off The Lights. New writing theatre production Mother’s Day with Old Diorama Arts Centre, new musical for young audiences Errol’s Garden with Golden Toad Theatre, R&D for National Theatre Scotland’s development of Thrown and delivering community creative movement projects to Good Chance Theatre. She is thrilled to be working with students and at Circomedia and exploring the value of movement within contemporary circus.
Emily Orme
Nicky Pearson
Head of Aerial
Nicole is Head of Aerial for Circomedia’s Academy. Nicole was head
coach for the Pendulum Flyers youth troupe in the USA, and she has
been teaching aerial to both recreational and professional students
since 2000.
During her 25 year career she has performed with two Cirque du
Soleil productions (OVO and AXEL); entertained worldwide as a
freelance aerial artist at events for the Royal families of the UK, UAE,
Malaysia and Belgium; at high-scale corporate galas and launches
(alongside such stars as Prince, Elton John, Seal and Katherine
Jenkins); at festivals (Goodwood Festival of Speed, Glastonbury and
the Henley Festival); on cruise ships (Costa Cruise Line); in
traditional circuses (Circus Flora, Circus Smirkus, the Zoppe Family
Circus) and theatrical circus shows (Pendulum Aerial Dance).
Nicky Pearson
Dr Jonathan Priest
MA Programme Leader
Aerial Rope Teacher
Jonathan gained a B.A. Hons from Slade School of Fine Art and then
went on to work in the stand-up, cabaret and live art scene in London
during the 1980s and 1990s, running his own club and performing in
touring shows. In 1995 he co-devised “Tim Vine Fiasco” which went
on to win the Perrier Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival.
After studying at Circomedia and in Monthelon in France, Jonathan
went on to work internationally as circus performer and teacher for
the last twenty five years with various companies: Dark Horse,
NoFitState Circus, Company FZ, Forkbeard Fantasy, Cirkus Cirkor,
Marie-Louise Masraliez, Kompani Giraff, Kecca Rocca (Jeunes
Talent Laureate) and his own company, Fan-Atticks, based in
Sweden. Since 2004 Fan-Atticks have devised, produced and
internationally toured four full-length shows. They continue to run a
circus outreach project for homeless adults in Senegal with the
support of the Swedish Institute. Jonathan has been engaged as a
teacher and artistic mentor for Cirkus Cirkor’s Piloterna and
Gymnasiet programmes and for the University of Dance and Circus in
Stockholm since 2003. His students have gone on to win prizes at
Les Pistes aux Espoires, Cirque du Demain and professional
engagements with Cirque du Soleil. Although working as a full-time
pedagogue and module coordinator at
Circomedia, Jonathan continues to work in Stockholm as guest aerial
teacher and lecturer.
Dr Jonathan Priest
Owen Reynolds
Joint Head of Manipulation
Born in Dublin, Owen started his performing career in his teens with Bui Bolg working at the major festivals across Ireland. Keen to pursue his new found career, he went to study at Circomedia, Bristol, where he specialised in Juggling and Doubles Trapeze, and later obtained a Teaching Certificate in circus skills. After Graduating in 2001, Owen worked as Head of Juggling on the degree program at the National Centre for Circus Arts (The Circus Space), London, and continues to teach there as a guest teacher on the degree programme.
Over the past 15 years, Owen has performed and contributed to many of Gandini Juggling’s productions and he continues to tour with them in Smashed and 4×4:Ephemeral Architectures. In 2018 he was Educational Officer for Gandini working with 60 young jugglers across the UK and culminating in a large site-specific performance in the iconic fountains at London’s Somerset House. More recently, he co-created a piece of children’s circus with juggler, Arron Sparks, which focused on themes of determination and life choices. In 2020, Owen was awarded a grant from the Arts Council England to pursue his love for teaching and working as an educator in circus – prompting his new venture “Circus Academy” to be created.Owen Reynolds
Lisa Whitmore
HE Head of Acrobatics
HE Module Coordinator
Lisa is a professional acrobat and aerialist as well as the Head Teacher for acrobatics at Circomedia.
Her training started as a base in partner acrobatics in sports acro from the age of 11. Not wanting to give gymnastics up, Lisa discovered Circomedia after university where she started her training and journey in circus. Performances range from corporate gigs, festivals, TV work to ensemble acrobatic and aerial touring shows in the UK and abroad.
Alongside this Lisa started teaching at Circomedia and developed the syllabus for the acrobatics specialisation which includes partner acro, handstands and tumbling. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping others to have the opportunity to enjoy acrobatics as much as herself.
Qualifications include a Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Learning in Higher Education, and BSc (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Science.
Lisa Whitmore
Jono Ayres
Classes Manager
HE Aerial Teacher
HE Module Coordinator
FE Aerial Teacher
Designated Safeguarding Officer
Originally trained in Physical Theatre and receiving a BA (Hons) Degree from the University of Leeds, Jono has since been training and teaching circus for over a decade. Starting out working in the United States after completing his Masters Degree, he travelled and trained across the US, Canada, and Australia before settling back in UK. He teaches aerial, specialising in dynamic, solo, and doubles trapeze. Jono works for Circomedia as Classes Manager, overseeing one of the largest Youth Circus organisations in the UK, and also as an aerial teacher for both the Further Education and Higher Education Courses.
Jono Ayres
Alan Conlon
Youth Circus Coordinator
BTEC Acro Tutor
Alan developed an interest in Circus and Performing while living and working in his hometown of Sligo, Ireland. After spending several years training, teaching and performing in the evenings and at weekends with friends at events and festivals across Ireland, he decided to devote himself full time to performing. He auditioned for Circomedia and took part in their first FdA course, specialising in Physical Theatre and Acrobatics.
Since graduating Alan has worked as an acrobat, juggler, aerialist and rigger for companies such as Above & Beyond, Red Hands Flying Trapeze, Daft Antics, Cirque Bijou and Joy Magnet, and has toured with Bash Street Theatre for three years with shows across mainland Europe. He has also acted with the Wardrobe Theatre Company and Thrice Three Muses in Bristol. Alan has worked as a tutor for Circomedia’s Youth Circus program for many years and became Youth Circus Coordinator in 2019.
George Fuller
HE Physical Theatre Teacher
George Fuller is an American (Chicago) performer and teacher based in the UK. He specialises in street theatre, mime, clowning, improvisation, contemporary circus, dance and cabaret. His circus experience includes touring with NoFit State Circus, Midnight Circus, Crashmat Collective, and Herbie Treeheads Dinosaur Circus. He is currently touring The Rest of Our Lives which is a contemporary dance performance with Jo Fong. This piece was commissioned by the RTN and supported by The Place. George, under the pseudonym George Orange, continuously tours his solo outdoor show ‘Man On The Moon’. For 11 years he has acted as artistic director of Mary Bijou Cabaret and Social Club which presents queer and feminist contemporary cabaret. George’s current show ‘The Rest of Our Lives’ was ranked as the 6th best 2022 dance show by The Guardian.
George Fuller
Hobbit
Module Leader for BA Final Major Projects
With an MA in Directing Circus and 18 years as an award-winning
international performer specialising in acrobatics, Hobbit is skilled in
nuanced storytelling through circus physicality. Their work is politically
focused and grounded in the shared yet diverse experiences of
existing in a human body.
Hobbit trained acrobatics at Escola De Cirque Rogelio Rivel in
Barcelona and Nanterre in Paris. They have extensive professional
experience in various performance contexts: From two-handed, smallscale
children’s theatre with Stuff And Nonsense Theatre Company,
outdoor touring with Can’t Sit Still, large-scale, site-specific,
ensemble shows with The Invisible Circus & Arcadia Spectacular,
stunts & film with Warner Brothers & West End productions with
Welsh National Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice.
Acrobatic Adventures
Rachel Kirby
BTEC Aerial Tutor
Youth Circus and Adult Classes Tutor
Rachel started her circus career with the classic running away to join the circus. After studying Human Rights and Social Theory in London, Rachel ran off to Cornwall where she was taken in by a circus. They trained her up and she worked for them as an aerialist for some years. She went on tour with them as well as working for other companies and agencies around the UK and France, performing in a range of contemporary circus shows to corporate events. Rachel decided to take her training and studies further at Circomedia on the degree course where she studied Aerial, Acrobatics, and Hat Manipulation. Currently Rachel combines her teaching with performing.
Chané Leamon
Acrobatics Teacher
From a young age, Chané was captivated by dance, starting her
training as a child and immersing herself in the rhythm and
movement. As she grew, her passion for physical expression led her
to explore tumbling, where she discovered a newfound love for the
dynamic and powerful art form. The thrill of combining dance with
acrobatic elements became a driving force in her training, shaping
her path.
After beginning her acrobatics journey at Circomedia, where she first
enrolled in the BTEC program and later advanced to the FDA, Chané
honed her skills and deepened her passion for the circus arts. Driven
by a desire to specialize further, she relocated to Rotterdam to train
at Codarts, focusing on the demanding discipline of hand-to-hand
acrobatics.
Ethan Leamon
Acrobatics Teacher
Ethan is a hand-to-hand teacher who specialises in dynamic
acrobatics and stylised flips. – As a student he studied on the BTEC
and FDA courses at Circomedia before continuing his training at
Codarts Circus arts in the Netherlands.
After working on acrobatic ensemble work for the company Many
Hands he has been focusing on raising the standard of acrobatics by
teaching people around the UK in schools, acrobatic conventions
and private tuition. Now Ethan is a core, advanced level member of
the teaching staff at Circomedia and looks forward to helping our
students fully achieve their potential.
Janine Mahon
Aerial Teacher
Janine’s love for circus arts and aerial performance ignited at age 11 when she joined her local youth circus. She pursued her passion with a foundation degree in contemporary circus and physical theatre at Circomedia in 2008. Since then, she has performed internationally with notable companies such as Arcadia Spectacular, Incandescence, the Invisible Circus, and Cirque Bijou.
With over a decade of teaching experience, Janine also developed the aerial conditioning classes at Circomedia. While she specializes in aerial hoop and duo work, she has recently focused on aerial straps, completing a year of professional training in this discipline at Creat Circ.
Joanna Palmer
Aerial Teacher
Joanna is a practicing professional aerialist and performer. Her
diverse career spans 20 yrs and both national and international
stages. Her extensive experience includes performances with
traditional touring shows, such as Circus Roncalli and The
Netherlands National Circus, as well as engagements at esteemed
venues like The Barbican. Joanna’s repertoire extends to numerous
high-profile corporate events around the world.
Specialising in the art of corde lisse, Joanna is passionate about
merging the technical mastery of this apparatus with elements of live
art, installation, and theatre. Her innovative approach pushes the
artistic boundaries of traditional circus, resulting in performances that
are both creative and exhilarating.
Mark Parfitt-Jones
FE Health and Fitness
Mark has over nineteen years’ experience in the fitness industry, first
training as a sports therapist and fitness instructor and then
continuing onto advanced qualifications.
In 2003 he qualified with Body Control Pilates (a world leading
education provider for the Pilates Method) and became deeply
committed to the method. Mark has continued with his
development, passing Pilates equipment and Master qualifications
with honours.
Mark Parfitt-Jones
Heather Parkin
HE Context 1 Module Co-ordinator
Tutor
Heather works in the admin team on admissions across the Circomedia courses and is Module Co-ordinator of Context 1 for the FdA. Heather gained a First-Class BA in English & European Literature and an MA in Shakespeare: Text, Influence & Creativity before studying at Circomedia from 1999-2001. Heather’s performance career has included corporate work, devised touring theatre, voice recording, traditional/contemporary circus, devised circus theatre and cabaret.
Heather acquired a brain injury in a car crash in 2006. She recently performed in Epic Minds (2022/3) directed by Nikki Kenward, a show which explored her lengthy recovery process. Previous teaching for Circomedia includes leading community circus workshops, adult aerial classes, voice and corde lisse to FdA students, history of circus and acting head of aerial on the BTEC course.
Lewis Trump
Aerial Teacher
Lewis has dedicated a decade to the circus arts, with the last five
years specializing as an aerial straps teacher on the Circomedia
degree program. His performance history includes Glastonbury,
Shambala, and Shindig festivals, along with numerous cabarets and
corporate events.
Lewis continues to add to his training vocabulary
both nationally and internationally, enhancing his expertise and
broadening his teaching approach.
BTEC
BTEC
There’s something for everyone here. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t done circus before because whatever you do you’ll be supported to explore your creativity.
– Natasha, BTEC graduate who went on to study at Codarts
DEGREE
DEGREE
I can’t really overstate how much Circomedia has done for me… Thank you Circomedia!
– Robin Boon Dale, circus performer and director
Act Festival Prize winner (BE Festival 2017)
MA
This brand new MA in Directing Circus is a really exciting development not just for Circomedia but for circus everywhere.
– Dr. Bim Mason, Artistic and Education Director
Vocational
Vocational
Circomedia encourages you to explore your creative potential, to dig deeper, work harder, and to always find joy in what you do.
– Aimee Bennett
Circomedia Graduate