Learn hidden techniques to improve your handstands and variations with Sasha, an alumni of Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam and a graduate of Moscow Circus School.
Hand Balancing Workshop by Sasha Fedortchev
10TH – A Glimpse at the Past and Future
10TH – A Glimpse at the Past and Future
April 7 @ 6pm or April 8 @ 3pm
The Ruby Karen Project and its performing troupe, the Orange County Aerial Arts will mark the beginning of its 10th year as a performing arts school. On April 7 & 8, 2018, we will celebrate this in conjunction with our yearly production and recital, entitled: 10TH. We are excited to have all past and present students join us for this production and we look forward to this uniting experience….
10TH is a calling of old pieces we created from the following full-length shows we presented over the past 10 years including: HOLIDAY ON AIR, AIRBORNE, NIGHTMARE ON AIR, TALES OF THE GODS, ADVENTURES OF THE MORTARS, ALICE: FLIGHT TO FANTASY, FAIRYTALE IN BLUE, BREATH OF LIGHTS, SUPER HEROES and this year’s, new piece, “Echorus” representing 10TH.
In this production, several signature pieces created by Ruby Karen have been revived and re-staged: “The Arena”, “Frozen”, “Alice”, “Flower”, “Overture” and this year’s premiering of “Echorus Module”, a work in progress about pitch, dynamics and movement that echo individuality and social relationships through the underlying world of streaming.
Location: Aerial Dance Theater, 3001 Redhill Ave. Bldg. 1 Suite 107, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
(go to the corner of Redhill and Kalmus. We are beside the yellow awning)
10TH: A Glimpse at the Past and Future
Performances at Newport Beach FilmFest and Imaginology
Circo Etereo and the Orange County Aerial Arts once again back at OC Fairground’s IMAGINOLOGY and NBFF and performing at the following events:
April 14 – 15, 2018: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm Imaginology: Great event for the family
@ Promenade – OC Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
April 27, 2018: Friday: Newport Beach Film Festival
Friday Night Spotlight Gala
5pm – 7pm @ Sherman Garden, Corona Del Mar
May 1, 2018: Tuesday: Newport Beach Film Festival
Pacific Rim Spotlight
9:30pm – 11pm. Time Night Club, Newport Beach
May 3, 2018 Thursday: Newport Beach Film Festival
Closing Night Film & Gala
9:30pm @ LIdo Complex, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA
We will be providing several circus dance stage and aerial performances the entire duration of the events. Our Circo Etereo professionals and our adult-pre-professional artists from Orange County Aerial Arts will be appearing at the Newport Beach Film Festival, while our young kids and teen OCAA apprentices will be performing at Imaginology.
Productions for both teams have been organized, conceptualized and choreographed by Artistic Director, Ruby Karen and Technical Directorship by Luca Cecchini
For tickets of more information:
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Caitlin Terry – Aerial Instructor/ Performer
Caitlin Terry began training in aerial arts in 2010 under the tutelage of Ruby Karen. She came from a ballet background and was immediately hooked by the challenge of aerial dance. Her passion for aerial dance led her to Orange County Aerial Art’s Apprentice program in 2010 where she further developed her technique and performance quality.
Caitlin came in 2nd Place at the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival Open Group division in 2013. Caitlin earned her aerial instructor certification through Aerial Arts America’s IATTP – International Aerial Teacher Certification Program in early 2014. In 2015 she joined the professional aerial company Circo Etereo and has done a number of gigs all over Southern California. She continued her training through her pregnancy and continues to juggle her training with motherhood.
Caitlin teaches a variety of aerial classes including kids, teens, and adults beginning and intermediate as well as aerial yoga for all levels.
Staci Ensminger – Aerial Instructor/ Performer
Staci has excelled since her first class with us in 2014. Prior to aerial, Staci was a gymnast holding state titles in different events and All Around, which gave her the edge in aerial training. However, Staci’s ultimate success is mainly contributory to her personality and character. She is driven, dedicated, persistent, hardworking, eager to learn, and always keeps a positive attitude.
Over the years, her choices have been very calculated and analytical keeping in close connection with her mentor’s advice and trust, and each journey she takes always results in positive and successful outcome. Among her achievements are: 1st places in different categories at the 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 West Coast Aerial Arts Festival; 1st place in static hoop at the 2017 VIVA Fest in Las Vegas; acceptance at the prestigious Ecole Nationale De Cirque in Montreal 2016 and 2017 summer program; guest performer multiple times at Irvine Barclay theater. Being only 16, Staci was invited to be a part of professional cirque troupe, Circo Etereo Entertainment, with whom she performs all around California and where she is expected to train, rehearse, and perform like any other adult member. In 2017 she joined youth circus company, Le Petit Cirque with travel to Norway. Staci is currently in university while continuing her aerial training with the Ruby Karen Project and enjoying performances with Circo Etereo. She garnered her certification upon completion of the International Aerial Teacher Training Program (IATTP) conducted by Aerial Arts America for her teaching credentials.
Ruby Karen – Artistic Director/ Instructor
With a career spanning five decades, aerialist, dancer, choreographer and producer, Ruby Karen has thrived in the performing arts—theater, cinema, and music—while mastering various fitness disciplines. With roots in Manila, Ruby Karen’s training and success’ gave her the opportunity to globetrot through metropolises such as, Zurich, Tokyo, New York, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, London, Paris, Munich and Vienna to name a few. Her accomplishments include holding three (3) World Titles in dance at organizations like the World Championship of Performing Arts, several national awards from Japan, Philippines and the United States, a guest performance on Fox’s hit prime time television show So You Think You Can Dance, an instructional Lifts and Tricks Partnering DVD; authorship of the fitness program Aerial Dance Fitness and the certification program, International Aerial Teacher Training Program (IATTP); Teacher’s Alliance, festival competition – West Coast Aerial Arts Festival; and performances and appearances in over twenty (20) countries and multiple cities around the world. Ruby Karen has also received ostensible press coverage from respected publications across the US, Asia, and Europe.
In 2007, after extensive travel performances and teachings, Ruby Karen commenced several individual projects that led to the birth of The Ruby Karen Project and its division, the Orange County Aerial Arts in 2009. Since then, both Ruby Karen and husband, Luca Cecchini (Technical Director and co-owner) evolved and expanded their profession in other related organizational activities including :
- The first aerial school in Orange County, CA namely, the Ruby Karen Project, Aerial and Performing Arts and its’ performing company, Orange County Aerial Arts and is recognized as one of Southern California’s premier aerial instruction and performance schools.
- She, together with husband, Luca, produce and manage their commercial entertainment company, CIRCO ETEREO, specialized Aerial and Dance acts as well as Fabrication of Aerial and Ground apparatuses.
- She founded Aerial Arts America, a non-profit organization and the only one in Southern California that embodies standardization programs such as the Aerial Arts Teacher Certification, the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, and AAA’s Scholarship Program.
- Ruby also spearheaded the birth of aerial arts competition in the Unites States’ west coast – the WEST COAST AERIAL ARTS FESTIVAL (WCAAF) and provided inclusion of aerialists of all ages, and further categorized according to aerial discipline and level. This is held yearly on the 2nd week of November.
- They were featured in many high-end publications, online video shows, commercials and was featured extensively at KTLA – Allie MacKay’s program. OC Magazine, Cost Magazine, LA Times, among others.
- Ruby and the school, the Ruby Karen Project is retained by several academic schools, including the Fairmont Schools around the Orange county areas, for their Physical Education program.
- International consulting services that constituted training, production and adjudication of educational programs and student assessment for Ballet Manila and their newly formed group, Circus D’ Ballet; has been and is the consultant, coach and trainer for Sky Fly, the 1st aerial school in Bangkok; and has rendered several workshops and teacher certification courses to Mumbai’s Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir and Fly High. She also continuous collaboration projects with Shree Samartha, Vyayam Mandir, India and renders workshops to students of Steps in the Air in Mexico, and has been an educator contributor to American Youth Circus Organization and its affiliating organization, American Circus Educators Conference since 2015.
Videos of Ruby Karen can be found at this link.
There are more materials from companies that Ms. Karen performed with, including Brockus Red formerly known as Brockus Project Dance Company, Quezon City Ballet, Inspiration and South Bay Ballet.
Luca Cecchini – Technical Director/ Instructor
Born and raised in Italy, after a long standing career (25 years) as a chef, restaurateur and event producer, Luca started his training in aerial arts in 2007 with his wife, Ruby Karen as his first instructor, alongside with established instructors and institutions in Southern California and Europe. He is the technical director for the Ruby Karen Project and its associated organizations, Orange County Aerial Arts, Circo Etereo and Aerial Dance Theater as well as the is the official rigger for the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival. He installs, maintains and prepares any and all rigging needs and fabrication of the above organizations. Luca is the main technical instructor and rigging moderator for Aerial Arts America’s Teacher Certification Program. He continues his training with major training facilitators including, American Educators Conference, Rope Meeting, AYCO, Mallakhamb Federation (India and USA) and several individual sessions with well-sought teachers.
In 2010, Luca garnered his United States rigging certificate. He saw the need for compliance with safety protocols in the operation and maintenance of their aerial performing arts school. As the performing demands for all above organizations started to grow, so did Luca’s rigging service – both indoor and outdoor in most convention centers, theaters, hotels and parks. And with the growing demand for aerial rigging, his reputation as one of the sought out riggers has gained him clients including similar aerial companies, studios, schools and fitness gyms, as well as high schools, colleges, universities and large event production companies such as EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival).
Aerial apart, Luca has a passion for designing props and sets and creating inventive apparatuses which both the school and its entertainment services employ. And.. as a young man in Italy, Luca grew up competing in martial arts in the likes of UFC type events, and carries his hobby till this day, in the form of sword fighting and combative stage training.
Classes taught: Aerial Silks, Hoop, Rope, Straps, Static Trapeze, Cube, Tumbling, Acrobatics, Acro-Partnering, Fire, Stilts, Summer Camps
Ana Nyugen – Aerial Instructor/ Performer
Ana Nguyen completed her International Aerial Teacher Training Program (IATTP) and holds an aerial teacher certification from Aerial Arts America., the governing aerial teacher certification organization.
Ana is a young aerialist who begun her training in 2010 with the Ruby Karen Project. Being deeply educated in the musical arts her prior years, Ana had no dance background, flexibility, or athleticism. Through passion and hard work, she excelled in her aerial studies under the instruction of Ruby Karen and became a dedicated member of the Orange County Aerial Arts and Circo Etereo performing groups.
Ana placed 2nd in two divisions during her competition days at the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, both in the Teen Division and the Professional Division 2013 and 2015 respectively. Currently, Ana trains in all apparatuses but specializes in aerial silks.
As she finishes her collegiate level, Ana is on leave and teachers part time at both Costa Mesa and Los Angeles locations. She continues to expand on her contortion and dance skills, while using her talents to perform in various events. Aside from performing, Ana enjoys assisting with the aerial summer camps and occasionally the aerial dance classes. Ana seeks to grow in her own abilities and inspire others with the transformation aerial arts has given her.
Edie Morton – Aerial Instructor
For our mature clients, we offer gentle conditioning classes that combine aerials and other common tools. Our senior instructor, Edie started her aerial training in 2011 at the age of 54. Having understood the fundamentals of aerial arts, Edie boarded the vigorous training required by Aerial Arts America’s teacher certification and in December 2016, she completed her IATTP course (International Aerial Teacher Training Certification) and is close to completing all requirements. Her residency training has greatly helped her become an intelligent teacher using complimenting strategic teaching methods to demonstrate and explain the lessons to her students.
She caters to adults who feel intimidated by the aerial arts apparatuses and walks them through slowly as she convinces them that aerial arts is not only for the young but for all ages including seniors and is an extremely good method of keeping ones bones and physique in healthy condition.