OUR TEAM
Making magic happen!
RACHEL BUTLER
Rachel grew up in Gladstone and made Agnes Water her home 11 years ago when she started teaching circus and dance there. Since the age of 4 she trained in dance, acrobatics and theatre and this eventually led her to circus. She has been teaching these physical movement modalities for over 20 years now. Her wide array of experience and study in different genres allow her to offer a great deal to her students and in performances. Rachel has her BA in Performing Arts with a focus on dance and movement art, plus graduated from international circus school Circomedia, in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre. Since then she has worked both overseas and throughout Australia as a teacher and performer. With a goal to always provide her best, she focuses on regular training and professional development She has also completed several coaching courses with Circus Training Australia in acrobatics, circus, aerial silks, trapeze and lyra. Rachel is excited to be the founder of Meraki Circus and loves nothing more than to share her passion!
JO ASHTON
Jo has been part of the Meraki family for 5 years, and in that time her dedication has developed her into a strong and talented artist. With a background of working with children and being a Mum of one, she knows the importance of play and creative expression in young children. Jo began as an assistant coach with Meraki and now confidently runs her own classes. She has also co-facilitated numerous large group circus workshops and performs regularly with the professional Meraki entertainment team. Jo has undergone training and study with international company, Paper Doll Malitia, to further build on her skills and experience as an aerial coach. Her skill sets are primarily aerial based, focussing on silks and trapeze; but her growing passion and capabilities for all things circus, shows an affinity to fire props, silk fans, hoop and juggling. She enjoys encouraging others to have fun, challenge themselves and try something new. Jo hopes to continue to grow as a varied and supportive coach and entertainer!
ADAM HUGHES
Adam has lived in Agnes Water for 20 years working mostly as a painter - but his true passion is for unique flow arts skill of fire performance, which he has been doing since the age of 15. This passion has enabled him to perform professionally all over Australia and internationally. He has completed several coaching courses with Circus Training Australia in acrobatics, circus and aerial. Adam is skilled in many manipulation props and also partner acrobatics, which he trains and performs with Rachel. He is passionate about all things circus!
Elena is a performer and coach from Malaysia and has been involved in the world of circus for over a decade. She specialises in aerials and contortion which then lead her into the world of performance arts. Elena took this opportunity to travel around the world to perform and coach in countries like Singapore, Cambodia, Japan, Dubai, Indonesia, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Brunei, Darussalam, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and all around Malaysia. Apart from performing, Elena also found her passion in teaching. One of the greatest rewards for her is being able to walk alongside her students and watch them flourish.