From Alpharetta to the Big Top: Alpharetta Students Win Big in Las Vegas Circus Arts Competition

ALPHARETTA, GA – February 23, 2017 –Four young local performers took

home distinguished awards at last week’s VivaFest International Circus

Competition. Students from Akrosphere, Alpharetta’s new aerial and circus arts

school, traveled to Las Vegas to compete in various circus acts against students

from circus arts programs around the U.S. and Canada.

In the Aerial Silks and Rope category, 16-year-olds Natalie Shih and Harper

Doherty took first and second place, respectively, with Celia Dizon, 13, claiming

runner-up in the Aerial Hoop category, and 13-year-old Yasha Jeltuhin scoring

fourth in Trapeze. To say the students and coaches alike were surprised at the

extreme success from the less than five-year-old school would be an

understatement.

"I felt completely taken aback when I found out I had won,” says Suwanee

resident Shih of her victory. “I wasn't thinking about the competition, just about

performing the best I could!” Akrosphere’s Aerial Silks and Aerial Hoop Coach

Tawni Edwards says she had a similar approach, emphasizing that education

and exposure for students were the main goals of the trip. “We went to Vegas to

have fun and perform. We were surprised when they all placed very high in their

categories.” Edwards adds, “The Viva Fest was an amazing and unique

opportunity for our students to perform under a big top. They were able to be fully

immersed in circus culture and learn new skills that they can incorporate into new

acts.”

Not only were students judged on their skills, but their participation in VivaFest

gave them an opportunity to receive invaluable input from circus professionals

from around the world. Edwards says, “The professional judges and instruction

gave excellent feedback and the kids are motivated to work harder and improve

on what they already know.”

Even in the excitement of their success, the Akrosphere team is now turning their

attention to the next big thing. "We have a full performance company at

Akrosphere," says Jen MacQueen, Artistic Director and owner of Akrosphere,

"and we are currently building a full length show to take to festivals this fall."

With a well-rounded set of circus arts offerings, Akrosphere instructors are

always encouraging their students to learn as many circus disciplines as possible

by bringing in guest artists, and VivaFest served as a major step in that

expansion. "Our students saw a Diabolo artist this past weekend and went nuts

over him… Looks like we will be bringing in a Diabolo coach soon!" laughs

MacQueen.

Now the the award-winning students have returned to their gym to hone their

skills and are already making plans for next year’s competition. "I would love to

go back next year and perform in more acts and take workshops outside of my

comfort zone," says Shih. Dizon simply chimes in, "Same!" Amid the excitement,

Edwards optimistically looks towards the future. “It's about having fun and

sharing your joy of what you do. I'm so proud of their hard work ethic and

excellent artistry. I can't wait to see what they create next!”

ABOUT AKROSPHERE AERIAL & CIRCUS ARTS

Akrosphere specializes in teaching Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Trapeze, Cyr

Wheel, and Circus Acrobatics. However, they encourage their students to learn

as many other disciplines as possible, bringing in guest artists to instruct them on

apparatuses like Aerial Straps, Corde Lisse, Chinese Pole, and more.

Akrosphere offers circus classes, summer camps, and workshops for students

from beginner to advanced levels. Their highly-trained staff of instructors have

been seen around the United States in circus shows, professional theatre

productions, and dance concerts, and have also worked on "the other side of the

table" in the fields of directing and choreography. Akrosphere serves families in

the Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Cumming, and Roswell areas of North

Fulton, Forsyth, and greater Atlanta. www.akrosphere.com