Meraki Circus, Dance & Entertainment 3.3

MERAKI TEAM:

RACHEL BUTLER: Rachel grew up in Gladstone and made Agnes Water her home three years ago when she started teaching dance and circus. She has been dancing since the age of 4 and has a wide array of experience in different genres of dance. Rachel has a BA in Performing Arts after three years at university in Brisbane. This is where she found her passion for Circus Arts. More recently she completed a year of full time training in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre at Circomedia in Bristol, UK. She is excited to be the director/founder of Meraki Circus and Dance and looks forward to sharing her experience.

ADAM HUGHES: Adam has lived in Agnes Water for 14 years working mostly as a painter – but his true passion is fire spinning, which he has been doing since the age of 15. He has performed professionally all over Australia and soon internationally when he goes to Papua New Guinea next month to perform with Pyrodynamics. Adam is also skilled in partner acrobatics and is passionate about all things circus!

CASSIE FARIAS: Cassie is based in Gladstone and recently joined the Meraki Team toward the end of 2016. She has a beautiful, natural way with our students and her skills and knowledge are a real asset. Cassie has trained for many years in gymnastics and sports acrobatics. With her circus skill development with the Meraki team and in her final stages to become a qualified yoga instructor, her experience of the body and movement is invaluable. Cassie recently completed and excelled in her circus coaching course in Melbourne last year and she looks forward to sharing her true passion with you!

TRISH MARTIN: Trish is a very active member of the community. She works at the Agnes Water State School not only as a teacher aide but also runs the uniform shop and is a member of the P&C committee. With a very talented gymnastic background, she has used this to start her coaching career. Trish is certainly a real asset and a positive role model to have on the team and we look forward to sharing in her knowledge and skills.

AMANDA WHITAKER: Miss Manda started dancing at the age of three, learning many different styles of dance, with jazz, ballet and contemporary being her favourite! After graduatin school she travelled the world and loved to embrace the dance culture in many different countries. It was while travelling America she was introduced to hula hoop and aerial and was taken over by the world of circus! Miss Manda followed her passion and in Finland she pursued her journey training full time in circus and dance. Her journey eventually led her to the town of Agnes Water and to Meraki Circus. She has made Agnes Water her home and loves to share her passion of dance and circus with the Meraki team and the community!