Nickolai Pirak’s interest in circus began in 2000 when he saw a German Wheel act in Cirque du Soleil. He moved to Germany in 2004 to study German Wheel, juggling and object manipulation. Upon returning to Seattle two years later, he discovered SANCA and began specializing in juggling and developing his act. He works as an independent performer and will be the new Director of the Youth Performance Company in February.

Erica Rubinstein studied neuroscience and dance at Oberlin College, but more importantly, college was where she discovered the wonderful world of circus. At Oberlin she co-founded a tumbling club, directed a childrens’ circus class, and performed in and helped organize OCircus productions. She has also competed in, judged and taught gymnastics. Now she is happy to have found SANCA where she teaches circus classes, assistant-directs the Youth Company, and is the Outreach Director. She also trains to be an all-around strong base and porter!

Manny Eckert is twelve years old and has been at SANCA for four years. His favorite circus activities are juggling and rolling globe. His dream is to perform at Teatro Zinzanni. When Manny isn’t juggling five balls, he’s probably playing the drums, throwing a Frisbee, or reading a book

Steven Mathews has been training in circus arts for five years and performing with the Youth Company since it began. He loves being a part of the Youth Company because it gives him an opportunity to work on something he is really passionate about and has taught him to set goals. Steven says that since he’s home-schooled being a member of the Youth Company has provided him with the opportunity to make a lot of friends, helped him overcome stage fright and taught him to give and take constructive criticism. “We often do peer reviews and that helps me to evaluate other acts. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me to get me this far, thanks.”

Emma Page is 16 years old and in 10th grade. She joined Youth Company two and a half years ago, and enjoys performing tightwire and duo trapeze.

Magnus Giaever has been performing in the SANCA Youth Troop for over three years. He enjoys acting and has been featured in a number of plays such as Li’l Abner at the ACT Theater and several school productions. He loves circus arts, particularly clowning. His favorite apparatuses are tight wire and trampoline.

Anna Partridge has been performing with the Youth Performance Company since it began three years ago. Her specialties are juggling and acrobatics. Besides circus, she sings, dances and acts in various high school theater productions.

Jasmine Manuel has come a long way since joining the youth company four years ago. After watching Cirque Du Soleil’s “Fire Within,” it became a dream of hers to perform with the circus. Jasmine has now had the opportunity to perform in front of various audiences both in big theaters and on small community stages. Tightwire is her apparatus of choice but also enjoys contortion and static trapeze.

Zora Blade specializes in hand balancing and partner acrobatics. Zora has been training in circus arts for about seven years, toured with three circuses, and plans to pursue it as a career. Over the past two years, circus has become her life, but she wouldn’t have it any other way -- she loves it!

Ian Nanney came to SANCA in 2006, and joined the Youth Company in 2007.  Since that time, he has seriously focused on juggling, with great results--at last year’s SANCAthon he made over 1,000 catches of four clubs!!

Alyssa Nanney began training in circus arts at SANCA in 2006 and joined the Youth Company last year. Aerial fabric is her passion, although she also enjoys trampoline. Aside from acrobatics, Alyssa is an avid baseball fan.

Lyla Goldman started unicycling and jumping rope in kindergarten and soon joined the Scats Performing Group at Sanislo Elementary.  Later she came to Sanca and joined YCO in the fall of 2007.  Lyla also enjoys trapeze, tissu, rope, hula hoop, tight wire and acrobatics.

Eloise O’Leary has been taking classes at SANCA for five years, and has been in Youth Company for two. She loves tightwire, globe, and aerial. She wishes to thank her parents for letting her be crazy. Eloise is also an avid reader, has a pet cornsnake, and can make “a hat, a brooch and a pterodactyl.” 

Dylan Forbes is one of the newest members of the Youth Company, but he has been taking classes at SANCA for four years. He has always loved rolling globe and trampoline, but now he likes juggling quite a bit as well. While not at SANCA, Dylan enjoys playing piano, Nordic skiing, acting, and doing complicated things on computers--so complicated we can’t even go into detail here.

Sydney Petersen first began taking classes at SANCA five years ago, working on skills including acrobatics, aerial, and tumbling. This is her second year performing, and she loves it! Sydney also plays the flute and is learning French.

Emma Cady is 11 years old and started training in circus arts about three years ago, specializing in aerial fabric. She recently joined the Youth Company and says it is a lot of fun! When Emma’s not doing circus she like to knit, bead and hang out with her friends and family.

Lea Zuckerman is 10 years old and in the 5th grade at Schmitz Park Elementary School. She has an identical twin sister named Anna who is also in YCO.

Anna Zuckerman is ten years old, and really loves being in Youth Company. She attends Schmitz Park Elementary School and is in the 5th Grade. She happens to be the shortest person in Youth Company--which can be advantageous in the circus world. She has a twin sister named Lea who is also in Youth Company. Globes, unicycle, ball juggling

Katie Mathews is our official circus tech. She runs lights and/or sound at many of our shows. She volunteers her time and talents time and time again. Thanks!