{"id":54,"date":"2013-04-09T20:08:23","date_gmt":"2013-04-09T20:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/minicirque.darkscot.com\/?page_id=54"},"modified":"2025-12-27T13:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T18:57:20","slug":"the-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/the-team\/","title":{"rendered":"The team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meet the team<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Sophie Latreille, founder, director and coach.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hula hoops and other flow props, partner acrobatics\/acroyoga, silks <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sophie has been a professional performing artist for over 20 years. She is also the co-founder and director of Mini Cirque and Fire Weavers. She has been teaching as well for over 20 years, first dance then circus arts. She has trained extensively in many types of movement arts including hula hoop dancing, poi spinning, fire dancing, ballet and contemporary dance, partner acrobatics, acroyoga and many other types of circus arts. She has won numerous awards and mentions, including first place in the National Busker Competition in the fire category and finalist in the multi-disciplinary category in 2005 and 2006 as well as special mention from Ottawa’s major Jim Watson for community contribution in 2015. Her shows have been performed throughout Ottawa and Montreal such as the Canadian Tulip festival, the Lumi\u00e8re festival, the Jazz Fest, Canada Day celebrations, Winterlude as well as major international events in several countries abroad.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Andr\u00e9e Rainville, head coach<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silks, Trapeze, prop manipulation, floor gymnastics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andr\u00e9e is an actor and a multidisciplinary circus performer. She has been part of the circus school team since the beginning. Graduate with a B.A in Arts, with a minor in French Literature and a specialisation in Theatre at Ottawa University she has been working in performing arts since 2007. In Theatre, she works with different companies around the region such as: (Th\u00e9\u00e2tre La Catapulte, Cr\u00e9ations in Vivo, Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de l\u2019\u00eele etc.) She has been teaching circus arts all around Ontario with CIV\u2019s Artistes aux 4 coins program and coordinated the Circus Program at the Franco-Ontarian games for 6 years and teaching circus camps with Mini Cirque for 3 years. Former gymnast, with a background in clowning and Commedia, she now specializes in aerial arts, stilt walking and vertical dance all while having a very good base in other techniques such as juggling, acrobatics and balancing. Through the years, she has received many rewards for her work (Rideau Award for Female Actress of the year 2014-15) and she performed at many events and festivals such as : (Just for laughs festival, Winterlude, Grand Indonesia Mall Jakarta, Cirque du Soleil, Canada Day, Festibi\u00e8re, etc.). Andr\u00e9e is very delighted to be part of the Ottawa Circus School Team!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Melanie Goguen, coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silks, trapeze, lyra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a background including martial arts, yoga, dance, and theatre, Melanie feels that creative movement is a crucial part of keeping her life in balance. She loves to share the joy of circus arts with others through performance and instruction, specializing in aerial silks, trapeze, and lyra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melanie’s aerials practice came into focus in 2018 and in 2020 she started teaching her first classes with the Ottawa Circus School. In 2022 she also began performing professionally. Melanie believes there is something in circus arts for students of all levels and that it’s never too late to learn something new. She makes lessons flexible and fun to target students’ learning goals in a safe environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan Lee, Coach<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trapeze, straps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ryan Lee is a passionate circus artist with a deep commitment to helping others achieve their goals in the world of circus arts. With a versatile skill set that spans from aerial straps to flying trapeze and hand balancing, Ryan has been a pivotal figure in various prestigious circus programs across the globe. His expertise includes double trapeze, duo acro\/porte, juggling, fire breathing\/poi, and handstands, making him a well-rounded coach and performer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan\u2019s journey in the circus world has been marked by significant roles over the last 10 years such as Flying Trapeze Head Coach at Club Med, Circus Coach and Performer at Creactive by Cirque Du Soleil & Club Med, Aerials and Trapeze Coach at Kutshers Sports Academy and Head Coach and Manager at Flying Monkeys Trapeze in Dublin, Ireland.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Claire Wang, coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trapeze, silks, lyra, floor gymnastics, diabolo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Claire started circus at 13, and has an extensive background in artistic gymnastics, dance, and contortion. Growing up, she also trained in rhythmic gymnastics, cheer, and figure skating. She attended l\u2019\u00c9cole Nationale de Cirque in 2023 for the summer intensive program, and she trains in several disciplines including trapeze, aerial silks, hammock, lyra, corde lisse, straps, unicycle, diabolo, and tumbling. She began performing professionally in 2022, and began coaching in 2023. As a coach, Claire brings high-quality instruction along with a significant vocabulary in advanced-level skills, and she creates connections with her students to build a safe and empowering learning environment. Outside of circus, she is attending McGill University for a BSc in Kinesiology. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Abigail Callanan, coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silks, Trapeze, Lyra, props<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Abi has been dedicated to her practice at the Circus School since 2009 and has always enjoyed helping the coaches teach beginner students. Training at an advanced level in silks, trapeze, and lyra, she was mentored by our senior coaches throughout her teaching journey and began teaching in 2023. Abi\u2019s goal when teaching is to create a supportive and goal-oriented space for everyone. Her calm focus and attention to each student make her a beloved coach among the kids and adult students. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mahika De L\u00e9an, coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silks, props<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mahika was born and raised in Ottawa and is a proud bilingual Franco-Ontarian. She is currently attending De La Salle High School and is a part of their theatre program. She started circus arts at the age of nine with the Ottawa Circus School and now works as an aerial arts and props manipulation coach. Mahika also performs in aerial silks and hula hoops. Her main goal as a circus coach is to ensure that her students feel comfortable as well as safe, so they can find the same joy and sense of belonging that she finds through circus training.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Astyn Farell, coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lyra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Astyn has been training in circus arts with the Ottawa Circus School since 2020 and has taught beginner to advanced lyra to students of all ages. She trains in a variety of disciplines including contortion, tumbling, and aerial silks, and specializes in aerial hoop and hair suspension. In her own practice, Astyn applies knowledge and expertise from multiple disciplines and teachers to best learn, experiment, and discover how to maximize the full potential of an apparatus. As a coach she loves to share her passion in circus arts so that every student has fun and enjoys each class, prioritizing working together to achieve her students\u2019 goals while ensuring training is done in a sustainable manner.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Genevi\u00e8ve Hudon, Coach <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hula Hoop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genevi\u00e8ve discovered hooping in 2010 and has been flowing ever since. She is fascinated by this whimsical and technical art form, which also happens to be a great form of exercise! After taking classes with Sophie Latreille in Ottawa, she continued training with the Montreal hoop community, attending various workshops and hoop retreats, and completing Hoop Montr\u00e9al\u2019s teacher training. She started teaching in Montreal in 2018 and joined the Ottawa Circus School team in June 2023. She loves helping her adult students connect with their inner child and unlock new ways to move their body. This bilingual, enthusiastic hooper is always on the lookout for new ideas and knows how to put a fun spin on things in her classes!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Joy Knowles, coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lyra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Joy fell in love with lyra the very first time she tried it in 2023. Later that year, realizing she needed more of it in her life, she joined Ottawa Circus School and dove into regular training, where she progressed quickly. With guidance and mentorship from the School\u2019s coaching team, she developed her teaching skills and began leading a Level 1 lyra class in fall 2024. She also shares her enthusiasm with new students by teaching the lyra portion of the School\u2019s four-week Intro to Aerials program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joy continues to expand her repertoire of skills, working to refine her technique and level up in her own practice. Beyond lyra, she trains in aerial straps and practices pilates and yoga. She believes fitness should never feel like a chore, and that the best way to stay motivated is to find something you enjoy doing. After all, pull-ups are much more fun when they\u2019re done in a hoop suspended from the ceiling!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lore Mathurin, coach and admin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silks, Corde lisse, Trapeze<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lore is a professional aerial performer and coach specializing in aerial silks, corde lisse, and dance trapeze, with additional performance experience on aerial cube. Before joining the Ottawa Circus School, she held several aerial art teaching positions, building a strong foundation as both an educator and aerial artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since arriving at Ottawa Circus School in 2025, Lore has continued to refine her craft through our in-house teacher training program, consistently levelling up her technical skills across aerial apparatuses as well as her teaching methodology. Her work is deeply influenced by her background in contemporary dance, bringing fluidity, precision, and strong dynamic qualities to both her performance and instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a coach, Lore is attentive, encouraging, and committed to long-term progress. She supports students in developing strength, confidence, and artistry, meeting them where they are while guiding them toward goals that once felt out of reach\u2014always with care, clarity, and momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lore is also part of the admin team, helping to run the day-to-day operations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meet the team Sophie Latreille, founder, director and coach. Hula hoops and other flow props, partner acrobatics\/acroyoga, silks Sophie has been a professional performing artist for over 20 years. She is also the co-founder and director of Mini Cirque and Fire Weavers. She has been teaching as well for over 20 years, first dance then […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-54","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":54,"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8795,"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54\/revisions\/8795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawacircusschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}