De Leon Cirque Fest 2023 Workshops
Brennan Figari is an aerial artist, aerial choreographer, and trainer. He has spent over half his life captivating and entertaining millions world wide. He currently lives in Berlin, Germany where he is the head acrobatic coach and choreographer for Friedrichstadt Palast, one of the largest shows in Europe. When not working there he also travels around the world teaching workshops and choreographing for artists and large scale events.
As a freelance aerialist Brennan has performed for a variety of companies and events. Some of these include America’s Got Talent, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Wintergarten Varieté, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Google, Emirates Airlines, P&O Cruises, Sea World San Diego, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and many more.
For five years and over 1,000 shows, Brennan traveled with the equestrian performance company Cavalia, as an aerial hoop soloist and rotating pole specialist in their show Odysseo. Heavily involved in its creation, Brennan traveled under the largest touring big top in the world and frequently acted as a company spokesperson for media events and special tours.
Workshop Descriptions:
(Un)tangle – Aerial Silks: Focusing on more intricate fabric movements, these sequences will work your brain as well as your body. You will need to remember how to wrap and unwrap each movement; it feel like you’re just tying yourself up in knots, but have a little faith, it will be worth it!
Hoop Choreography: We will learn a short phrase of simple, but unique movements on aerial hoop and then will focus on setting it to counts and music. A great workshop for anyone interested in performing we will also work on musicality and timing.
Stuart was born in London and began gymnastics at the age of 12. He represented Great Britain in Sports Acrobatics for 10 years where his Men’s Four achieved a ranking of No. 1 in the world.
Once retired from competition he joined the world renowned Cirque Du Soleil in 2008 in Montreal with Saltim Banco FG. Shows included; Kooza Teeterboard act; USA, Canada, Japan, Europe tour. Kurios Duo Aerial Straps; USA tour. Mystere Duo Aerial Straps creation; Las Vegas.
Stuart has now created his own Air Skating act; “combining the poetry of skating & the strength of straps and flying to the skies”– with his partner Sophia Adams where they are sharing their art and performing around the world.
Stuart graduated from Northumbria University with a BSc (Hons) Sport Management, furthermore a FRC specialist, NASM certified PT, PES, CES, FNS & acrobatic and aerial coach; he was artist coach for strength and conditioning on the show Kooza.
Stuart’s vision is to share his sporting & artist experience to help present people with an opportunity to achieve their fitness, performance and life goals through trust, belief, and confidence in themselves.
Workshop Descriptions:
Aerial Fitness Bodies (AFB) on AFB Straps: The AFB workshop will focus on the fundamentals of aerial fitness which will cater to each aerial apparatus and student abilities. We will guide you through the correct techniques, movement patterns and muscular engagement to safely train and perform the aerial drills to progress to aerial skills.
Aerial Straps: The focus will be on specific aerial straps skills with the base of technique fundamentals. The workshop will also be open to personal skill preferences so everyone can benefit on their aerial straps goals.
Jason Myhre is a graduate of the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School. His dance training also includes scholarships from Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Chicago City Ballet, and LADA/EDGE Performing Arts Center.
Jason has performed in numerous industrials for Disney, Kraft, Six Flags, and showcase around the Los Angeles area. He is a noted choreographer as well. Highlights include; Rihanna, Paula Abdul, Willow Smith, Melody Thornton, Robin Thicke, Paulina Rubio, Ciara, Amerie, Shakira, Mariah Carey, The Pussycat Dolls, Babyface, Ricky Martin, Janet Jackson, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Bleona, Neko Case, Debi Nova, Stacie Orrico, SmittenBLU, Lil’ Kim, Shoshana Bean, Anastacia, Clipper Girls, Rock The Rink, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rory Flack- Burghart, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Old Navy Commercials, and the Wayans Brothers hit movie “White Chicks.”
Jason has worked with such artists on World Tours, Music Videos, the MTV Superbowl half-time show, and music award television specials. Jason has also choreographed the Emmy and Oscar Governors Balls, NBCC benefits and created shows for Imagination Entertainment.
He also has judged and choreographed for such competitions/conventions as; AMP, Encore Performing Arts, Spotlight Dance Cup, Broadway Bound, Dance Masters, LADF Nationals, HDE, and LADM’s Final Cut.
As a teacher Jason has taught master classes across the nation, at EDGE & Millennium LA professional studios. He was also the Director of Jazz Dance at Loyola Marymount University for almost 20 years.
Workshop Description:
Developing Creative Movement Workshop
Learn valuable tips and tricks to enhance your performance style, develop character, and explore artistic possibilities.