instructors
Travis Johnson
Travis is the co-owner of the Vancouver Circus School. Having grown up in the world of circus and trampoline, Travis has never known a life without either. Travis started his competitive career in trampoline at the early age of 6, later having gone on to win the Western Canadian title, a few times over. During his teenage years, Travis became a trampoline and gymnastic instructor. After high school, Travis joined an event management company, becoming its vice president within 3 years. Following a severe motor vehicle accident, wherein Travis barely escaped with his life, Travis and his father, Aaron, decided to develop the Vancouver Circus School. To date, by utilizing his event management and administrative background, Travis has produced over 300 events for the Vancouver Circus School and its professional division, the Inner Ring.
Aaron Johnson
Aaron is the co-owner of and Director of Safety and Education for the Vancouver Circus School. Aaron has been a catalyst in the development of Trampoline Coaching Education, as he developed a safety manual for the country that would eventually be known worldwide; collaborating with some of the world's finest trampoline experts, such as Dr. Fred Yeadon, Dave Ross, and Boris Verkhovsky, as well as many other Canadian trampoline specialists, Aaron produced the safest, most progressive system for teaching trampoline possible, the NCCP Trampoline Technical Manual. More recently, Aaron also served as the Head Acrobatic and Artistic Coach for the Cirque du Soleil show, Mystere, having worked in Montreal and Las Vegas. Soon after, Aaron and his son, Travis, started the Vancouver Circus School in order to share with others the fun, the challenge, and the love of learning acrobatics and circus arts.
Jennifer Long
Hailing from the icy depths of Prince Edward Island, Jennifer brings passion and creativity to all she does. A graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Jennifer has been an entertainer since the age of three! Some of her favorite performance credits include: "Jan" in "Grease" (Vancouver), "The Gin Game" (BC Tour), the "refugee" in "Spirit of a Nation" (Victoria and Vancouver), "Les Folles Jambettes" CanCan troupe, and a one-year contract as "Anne of Green Gables" at Canadian World Theme Park, Japan.
In addition to theatre, Jennifer's love of acting has led her both to the small and large screen. She has worked on productions including Smallville, Outer Limits, Slapshot II, East Coast Music Awards, 2009 Canada Games, and Canadian Idol.
With a diverse background in Arts Administration and Event Management, Jennifer is excited to finally have a chance to "run away with the circus", in her new role as the Vancouver Circus School's General Manager.
Nigel Wakita
Nigel's fascination with the world's weird and wonderful wonders has led him to the Vancouver Circus School, where he works as the Director of Recreational Education, and instructs unicycling, juggling, and Nigelisms. With the Vancouver Circus School, he has not only found an outlet to perform as a resident artist for Inner Ring (the school's professional division), but also finds opportunities for others to explore circus arts by encouraging physical education, and allowing students to flex their creative muscle in a desk-less, non-competitive environment. Every day, Nigel actively makes an effort to use his degree in Theatre and Education from Simon Fraser University, to continue the circus tradition of providing an enjoyable, challenging and thoughtful experience.
Meregon Kiddo
Meregon was one of the first students to enroll in classes at the Vancouver Circus School, back in 2005. At the time, she was also studying criminology at Simon Fraser University, and planned to eventually go to law school. Though, not long after her introduction to aerials, Meregon made quite a change in career paths, deciding to abandon law school in order to pursue circus, full time. Soon after, she became the very first person to make the transition from a student to an instructor for the Vancouver Circus School. In addition to now being the Head of Department for Aerial Silk, Meregon is also an instructor for the school's Ring Master program, and a resident performer for its professional division, the Inner Ring.
Brandon Miyazaki
Before joining the Vancouver Circus School, Brandon was a competitive figure skater, having trained in Ice Dance and Freeskate for ten years.
In 2008, Brandon accelerated through the Vancouver Circus School's recreational aerial program and was subsequently invited to undergo instructor training; he was hired immediately! Thereafter, he became the Head of Department for Aerial Arts and joined the Vancouver Circus School's administrative team. Brandon also teaches Aerial Silk, Swinging Trapeze, and Trampoline, in addition to instructing for the Ring Master program. A resident aerialist for the Inner Ring, (the professional division of the Vancouver Circus School,) Brandon also performs on multiple apparatuses, including Solo and Duo Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silk, Swinging Trapeze, and Static Trapeze.
Michael Maan
Michael has been involved in performing arts all his life, having always loved combining physical fitness with the arts. Participating in recreational gymnastics, dance, theater, and music throughout his life eventually lead Michael to the Vancouver Circus School, where he now works as a multidisciplinary instructor, as well as the Even Manager for its professional division, the Inner Ring. Initially having starting as a recreational aerial silk student, Michael trained hard to lose some extra weight and went on to develop further as an aerial, training on aerial hoop and static trapeze, as well. Michael hopes to inspire his students, proving that with hard work, you truly can achieve anything you wish to, and have fun in the process!
Alexandra Witwer
Alexandra comes to the Vancouver Circus School via her upbringing as a competitive gymnast. Her decade of competition led her into coaching in Red Deer, Alberta where she gathered another ten years (and counting) of experience. She loves to teach, and has her degree in Education to prove it. As of late, Alexandra's passion for circus and learning has brought her to the VCS where she joined the family in 2010 and hasn't looked back.
Lindsay Bevan
Lindsay had an easy transition from being a competitive gymnast for fourteen years to joining the ranks of the Vancouver Circus School. She is trained in multiple circus apparatuses; is Fully Certified Level 1 Gymnastics, and a gymnastics judge; and, Certified Level 2 Trampoline. She is currently attending British Columbia Institute of Technology, studying Forensic Sciences.
Fiona Walsh
Fiona has acted, danced, stage managed, and designed lights as a student at Vancouver Island University and Simon Fraser University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. She has also acted in commercials, a few episodes for AZN Lifestyles TV, and has performed with a sketch comedy group called SFUU MAN CHU, with the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre. After finishing university and having so much newfound free time, Fiona learned circus arts as a way of bringing fitness back into herlifestyle. Fiona now works as an aerial instructor for the Vancouver Circus School, and is also part of the school's administrative team.
Scott Campbell
Scott had many different jobs and titles before running away and joining the circus. He is a classically trained actor who left Vancouver and toured the United States and Canada with Circus of the Kids. Scott has also lived in Hungary, training his double trapeze act with his partner, Gabriella, at MACIVA. Scott has taught kids and adults to fly, dive through flaming hoops, eat fire, juggle fire, and has helped them balance on their own two feet.
Charlotte Romses
Charlotte started taking classes at the Vancouver Circus School when she was thirteen years old. When she was younger, she tried many different sports and activities, but after Charlotte found circus, she never wanted to leave. In 2009, she became an instructor, teaching classes in Aerial Silk, her favorite circus discipline. Outside of circus, Charlotte is currently studying Psychology at the University of British Columbia.
Paige Halex
Paige has been involved in the performing arts ever since she can remember. When she was younger, she participated in gymnastics, theatre, dance, and improv. Though, nothing 'stuck' until she found circus at age eleven; she has been immersed in training and performing, ever since. Paige currently specializes in aerial silk and static trapeze, and would much rather be flying through the air than be on the ground. When Paige is not doing circus, she is committed to doing community and social volunteer work.
