Guests and Workshop Instructors

The Ruby Karen Project primarily provides first class training in the field of aerial arts.  As such we constantly offer workshops and intensive training to our students, to provide a different perception and angle to their current training.  As such, we invite established instructors, as notes in the below list below.
This webpage is still under construction and does not contain a complete list of invited guests.

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BRANDE LEE

An alumni of the Ruby Karen Project, Brande Lee started her training in circus/aerial arts since 2009 with the Ruby Karen Propject and participated in the apprentice program, gaining her first aerial performances through its troupe, the Orange County Aerial Arts,  She performed in OCAA’s “Airborne” and “Nightmare on Air” and still trains and performs with them to this day. Brande furthered her professional training at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) in their 2013-2014 Intensive Training Program.

Over the past five years Brande has performed with her company, Elevated Aerial Dance, VIP Woman’s Dance, Wire Monkey Dance, SHOW Circus, and has been one of Cirque de la Mer’ aerialists in the 2014 through 2016, performing at Sea World in San Diego. Brande competed at the  2014 West Coast Aerial Arts Festival in the professional division and garnered 1st Place in her division as well as the overall winner.

When in town, Brande teaches at the Ruby Karen Project.

UDAY DESHPANDE

The partnering of the Ruby Karen Project and Sir Uday Deshpande’s Institution, Mumbai’s Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir is just one of the many cultural international education that the RKP school actively promotes, as it visions to provide a platform to future aerial arts education with other international cultural arts and sports around the globe. Master Uday specializes in Mallakhamb Rope and Pole and teaches at the RKP when he is in town.

  TERRY BEEMAN

Renowned master teacher in dance and aerials, teaching all over the world from the great cities of Paris, Prague, Tokyo, to the countries of India, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Australia and China. In his 15 years of training and teaching aerial Terry has set standards of quality the surpasses most.

AURELIE DEROUX-DAUPHIN

From France, Aurelie made her professional debut at the age of 17 in “Le Jeune Ballet de France,” a company in which she performed principal modern roles all around the European continent. She was also in “Scottish Ballet,” directed by Robert North. in Austria for “ABC Dance Company” directed by Nicolas Musin, performed and developed aerial pieces at “Jean Ann Ryan Company’s cruise ship productions, principal to modern dance company “Maryse Delente”, and an acrobat and aerialist with the “Transe Express Company.  In Asia, she was a special guest for “Empat Mata TV show”.  After finishing 5th in “Tu Si Que Vales”, the Spanish version of America’s Got talent, she joins Cirque du Soleil in Japan for the “OVO” show as a principal role and since then, has become Cirque du Soleil’s  resident aerialist.

RACHEL WALKER

Rachel Walker is a Montreal based aerial trainer. Teaching at the famed Ecole Leotard, and National Circus School, and formed by legendary trapeze coach Victor Fomine, and ‘7 Doigts de la Main’ co-founder Shana Carroll.

Rachel Walker starred in Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA” on solo swinging trapeze. She has also performed with TV 5, Circus Discordia, Paradiso Festival, and The Dresden Dolls. When in town, Rachel is invited to teach at the RKP

ODGEREL GOMBO

Odgerel Gombo has performed at Circus related productions and events just about everywhere. He was a silver medalist at the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo and a legendary instructor who has taught at at several schools all over the continent, including his very own school in Mongolia. He is a key element to many successful contortionists today.

He is RKP’s contortion coach, but currently he on leaving, having accepted a touring job.  When he finishes his contract, Odgerel will resume his post as contortion coach at the Ruby Karen Project.

JACOB “KUJO” LYONS

A household name in break dancing and chinese pole, Kujo teaches both breaking and the circus arts. In addition to teaching b-boy master classes and workshops around the world, Kujo has been featured in a number of high-profile media projects – Levi’s, music videos and .. the list goes on.  Kujo is also an accomplished circus artist – he excels on aerial straps and Chinese poles, and has performed in numerous circus shows both nationally and internationally. He was also hired by Cirque du Soleil as a consultant for The Beatles: Love in 2004, and again in 2011.  He’s been a preeminent figure in the global b-boy/breakdance scene for 20 years, performing, competing, judging competitions, and teaching in 35 countries on 6 continents. His creative contributions to b-boy culture and movement vocabulary are indisputable, and continue to inspire and influence b-boys around the world to this day.

SPENCER CRAIG

Montreal aerialist SPENCER CRAIG has been madly in love with circus for over 16 years. Beginning his training in aerials and handstands at the National Circus School in Montreal, while being mentored by Cirque Du Soleil’s Meaghan Wegg and Victor Fomine.

He has gone on to perform throughout North America, Europe and Africa with his unique aerial hoop number in multiple festivals and companies. Catch him currently performing with Cavalia’s Odysseo under the big top in Irvine, California until March 20th

KRISTIN KAYE

Kristin Kaye is a former member of the 2009 USA World Champions hips Group Team and
USA Senior Group National Team from 2007‐2009. In 2000, she was a member of the USA Junior National Group Team that competed at the Junior Pan American Championships. Prior to her accomplishments as a group team member, Kristin was the 2002 USA Junior National Champion and a member of the USA Junior National Team from 2001‐2002. In 2000, she was the Level 8 Junior Olympic Champion. In addition to coaching,currently trains full‐time in the sport of rowing.
ANTONIO MOORE

Originally from Chicago, Antonio Moore is a 10 year veteran with Cirque Du Soleil as an acrobat. Aside from tumbling and other gymnastic skills, he specialized Chinese Pole.  He started his coaching career in the early 2000, training tumbling and gymnastics to girls & boys.

ENRIQUE ESCAJEDA
A former member of the Orange County Aerial Arts performing artists in 2009 – 2011, Enrique has garnered high level skill sets and continues to achieve new heights as he explores various avenues, space and people.  He has been in many arenas, has taught at many schools and trained with elite athletes.  TO his record, her has been with Santa Fe Opera, Club Med, Pirates Adventures, Currently, Enrique teaches and performs in Seattle’s Emerald Trapeze School.  When here, we invite him to share his skill set wether as a coach or as a performer to RKP and its organizations.  He specializes in Hand Balancing, Aerial Rope, and Flying Trapeze
Liz Cooper LIZ COOPER

From Winnipeg, Canada, Liz Cooper has been teaching and performing aerial circus arts since 2001. She is also the co-director of Momentum, a company devoted to creating original works fusing dance and aerial arts. Together with artistic director Monica Goermann, Liz choreographs and performs in Momentum’s full-length productions. Other performances include annual concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the World Gymnaestrada in Finland, Switzerland, Austria, & Portugal, the Festival of Aerial Arts in Houston Texas, the Contemporary Circus Arts Festival of Toronto, the grand opening of Winnipeg’s MTS Centre Arena, and as a guest artist with Frostbite Circus, NAfro Dance Productions, Bolero Dance Theatre, and Manohar Performing Arts of Canada. In addition, to her classes in Winnipeg, Liz has taught aerial dance workshops in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Toronto, Seattle, Houston, Honolulu, and Oulun Tahti Sirkus, Finland.

 


TERRY BEEMAN WORKSHOP – JULY 9 6PM Los Angeles

Renown choreographer, producer and aerial guru, Terry Beeman will be in town for a limited time only.  He will be conducting an aerial workshop on Silks and Lyra.

WHEN:  July 9, 2017  6pm – 8pm

WHERE: RKP Satellite @ BPS Studio, 618-B Moulton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Workshop Fee:  $65.00

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE ONLINE

For more information, please email us: info@rubykaren.com  (714) 330-7484

 

Direct from India – Aditi Deshpande’s Mallakhamb Workshops

Mallakhamb is an ancient Indian Sports that is currently popularized by the Circus and Aerial arts community as additional disciplines in said field. Our guest workshop instructor comes directly from Mumbai, India and a 4 Time National Champion in Mallakhamb. She will be teaching various Rope and Pole techniques based on the attendee’s level.

$45. Single Workshop
$70. 2 Workshops

Reserve your spot now. Click Here

Please address any inquiries including Aditi’s availability in Southern California to: info@rubykaren.com (714) 846-6143

MEET OUR TOP STUDENTS

A Peak at RUBY KAREN PROJECT’s OUTSTANDING STUDENTS

April 30, 2017, Sabrina Turjman (RKP Contributor)  

Ruby Karen Project Aerial and Performing Arts School is proud to honor the accomplishments and achievements of Jenna Ali, Staci Ensminger,and Maddie Seay.  We love to watch our students reach their greatest potential through hard work and dedication.  These young women have projected their eagerness to learn by sacrificing time, attending classes, and pursuing opportunities.

Committed aerialist, actress, dancer, stage technician, choreographer, and student body president, JENNA ALI (14) proves that there is no substitute for hard work.  Jenna started her aerial training at the tender age of 6, at the Ruby Karen Project.  It was there she discovered her love for the diversified aerial disciplines, namely, Aerial Silks aka Tissu, Aerial Hoop or Lyra, Aerial Hammock/ Sling, Static Trapeze, as well as  Ballet and Jazz.  Jenna has competed in Aerial Arts America’s annual West Coast Aerial Arts Festival (WCAAF).  In 2013, she won 1st Place in the Open Amateur Category performing Aerial Hammock.  In 2014, she took home 1st Place in Aerial Hoop for her age group, 12 & under.   In the 2015 WCAAF, she garnered 1st Place in Aerial Tissu/ Silks and 2nd Place in the Open Group category for her age group.

In 2014, Jenna underwent Aerial Arts America’s rigorous teacher training certification program, the International Aerial Teaching Training Program (IATTP).  She recently completed all the certification requirements, placing her as Aerial Arts America’s youngest certified aerial teacher . She took on many roles at Ruby Karen Project, including an aerial instructor position, an excellent choreographer and creative artist, a role model for young artists, and a friend to all.  As she ventures into other areas of the performing arts, Jenna continues to seek new avenues including her recent acceptance into Orange County’s Academy of Performing Arts Acting and Theater Program.  Jenna is an active artist in Ruby Karen Project’s performing troupe and Orange County Aerial Arts (OCAA).  Since 2016, Jenna started pursuing her love for the performing arts by joining RKP’s professional troupe, CIRCO ETEREO ENTERTAINMENT.

 

STACI ENSMINGER (16) has illustrated her devotion to the aerial arts through her anchored perseverance.  She started her aerial endeavors at the Ruby Karen Project when she was 12 years old.  Along with her with her gymnastics and lyrical dance background, she specialized in aerial divisions including Aerial Hoop, Tissu/Silks, and Trapeze.  Shortly after her enrollment, Staci joined Ruby Karen Project’s apprentice program.  She became a member of the OCAA and held roles such as Rabbit in Alice – Flight to Fantasy, and Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.  Among her participation in the multitude of opportunities that the Orange County Aerial Arts provides, Staci had the privilege of performing as the main aerialist in the ALICE role, at Charles Maples’ ballet production of “Alice in Wonderland in 2015”, and a guest artist at Focus’ 2016 Concert, both of which were held at the renowned, Barclay Theater. Together with Jenna and Maddie, in 2015, they represented the Ruby Karen Project at the American Youth Circus Organization Summer Festival in Portland, and were raved for their technique, versatility and overall performance. Staci began competing at the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival since 2014.  In her category, she took 1st Place in Open Group and 3rd Place in Tissu/ Silks in 2014.  She then won 1st  Place in Open Group and 3rd in Aerial Hoop in 2015, and in 2016, she garnered 3rd Place in Aerial Hoop.  She also competed in the 2017 VIVA Fest and won 1st Place in Static Hoop.  In 2015.  Her skills and dedication garnered her a year’s scholarship from the Ruby Karen Project in 2015, and the year after, she earned another scholarship from Aerial Arts America’s program.  Staci is amongst the very few students that has been accepted at the prestigious, Ecole Nationale Montreal’s summer program for 2016 & 2017,.  And this year, 2017, Staci was invited as a youth artist for Circo Etereo Entertainment, and concurrently has joined La Petit Cirque, a youth professional company in Los Angeles.

 

Excellence is a habit, and MADDIE SEAY (15) demonstrates that.  Maddie has been consistently taking classes at the Ruby Karen Project since she was 10.  She joined the apprenticeship program, became a member of the OCAA, and got the lead role of Alice in Alice – Flight to Fantasy.  After only just one year at the Ruby Karen Project, Maddie began competing in her category, e.g. kids and youth divisions which were the most challenging divisions. At the WCAAF, in 2013, she won 1st Place for Tissu/Silks and Aerial Hoop.  In 2014, she took 1st Place for Tissu/Silks, and 2nd Place in Aerial Hoop.  In 2015, she vanquished 1st Place in Tissu/Silks and 2nd Place in Open Group.   In 2016, she garnered 2nd Place in Tissu/Silks, and recently came in 3rd Place at the VIVAFEST in 2017.  In 2015, Maddie was granted a scholarship from Ruby Karen Project.  This year (2017) she is a recipient of the Aerial Arts America scholarship program.  She is also currently a youth ambassador for the American Youth Circus Organization and attends their conferences.  She was invited in 2014, and since then, performed as a youth entertainer for Circo Etereo Entertainment., and recently in 2017,  together with Staci Ensminger, Maddie joined the La Petit Cirque.

 

 

Jenna, Staci, and Maddie are role models that exemplify the success and professionalism the Ruby Karen Project sets as guidelines and high standards in the field of aerial arts education.  They have just begun their journey to the real world of performing arts and we see no limits to what our young women can do.   We congratulate them and wish them the best in their continued flight.

To learn more about the Ruby Karen Project, its programs and their students, visit: www.rubykarenproject.com

Click HERE to see Orange County Aerial Arts Youtube videos featuring our students, including Jenna, Staci and Maddie.

 

 

Online Reviews

Read Irina E.‘s review of Ruby Karen Project – Aerial and Performing Arts School on Yelp

Read Suzette A.‘s review of Ruby Karen Project – Aerial and Performing Arts School on Yelp

Read David D.‘s review of Ruby Karen Project – Aerial and Performing Arts School on Yelp

Read Jbandfam Y.‘s review of Ruby Karen Project – Aerial and Performing Arts School on Yelp

Read Kiliki Q.‘s review of Ruby Karen Project – Aerial and Performing Arts School on Yelp

Read Orange County Aerial Arts R.‘s review of Orange County Aerial Arts on Yelp

SUPER HEROES MASH UP

Catch our students while they dazzle you with their super heroic aerial acts at our annual production – this year’s theme concert and production by Luca Cecchini:
SUPER HEROES MASH UP
Saturday, April 1, 2017 @ 6pm
Sunday, April 2, 2017 @3pm
@ Aerial Dance Theater
3001 Red Hill Ave. Bldg. 1-107, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tickets: $12. – $15
Please get your tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets:
Seating assignment will be based on date of purchase.

Circo Etereo Videos

CIRCO ETEREO USA, is the professional entertainment full-production company that stems from international artists and graduate of the Orange County Aerial Arts (the pre-professional troupe of the Ruby Karen Project School of Performing Arts).  Circo Etereo has been in existence since its principal and artistic director,  Ruby Karen started her professional career in the United States, in 1995.  The company has performed at many venues, outdoors, arenas and international soil.  Their specialty is Circus Entertainment with a strong blend of contemporary modern dance and ballet.  The company offers small to large scale projects and can be as remotely or intimately involved in the concept and planning stage of an event.  It also offers a wide variety of services from the front to backstage, from pre-production to post production, including lights and sound.

 

Promo Videos

Orange County Aerial Arts Videos

ORANGE COUNTY AERIAL ARTS comprises of the apprentice students of the Ruby Karen Project.  It is the performing troupe of the school, regularly presenting showcases and demonstrations in its surrounding communities including its annual spring and holiday showcases, and annual appearances at the OC Fairground’s Imaginology, South Coast’s Festival of Children, Laguna beach’s Festival of Children, and in the past for several years at the Pearson Amphitheater’s Summer Concert, the San Pedro Festival of the Arts and Orange County Great Parks’s summer and new year festivals.

Check out OCAA Playlist  on Youtube

 

Student Photos

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