Shine Alternative Fitness

Currently a resident artist at Cirque du Soleil's LIGHT nightclub, Andrew Leach has had the pleasure of performing aerial acrobatics all over Europe, South America and the US. Trained by a former Moscow State Circus artist, he prides himself on clean technique and the ability to translate his knowledge to various body types and learning styles.

Benjamin Lerman is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, NPC fitness Competitor, and freelance artist. He was a Featured Performer at the 2014 Ribbon of Life presented by Golden Rainbow, and artist for Cirque (Cirque du Soleil) Unplugged (2006) The Creation. He has been coaching Strength & Balance, Handstands, and ACE fitness at Shine since relocating to Las Vegas in 2013. In addition, he is trained in the following disciplines: Aerial Straps, Hand Balance, Duo/ Partner Balance, Kung Fu (Student of the Wudang Wushu Acadamy, Wudang China, 2005), Capoeira, and Tumbling.

Chris Jones originally from Durham England, began his career in sports acrobatics. He represented Great Britain over an 8 year period picking up many world and European bronze and silver medals. Chris competed in the mens pair category and was formerly ranked 3rd in the world, after retiring in 2007 he joined Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk production as main character. Chris was part of the Wintuk show which played at the Wamu Theatre in Madison Square Garden New York City for 3 years before coming to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of being able to perform handbalancing.

Danielle Rueda-Watts started her career as an aerial acrobat after graduating art school with a degree in fine art photography. With her back ground as a competitive gymnast, along with years of dance and yoga, the transition to becoming a professional aerialist was natural. Danielle can be seen on silk in the “razzle dazzle” scene in the hit movie musical Chicago, as well as being the featured aerialist in the documentary of Michael Jackson's final tour, This is it. Danielle has been in two different Cirque du Soleil productions; the cabaret style Zumanity and the Beatles show Love. Believing her journey as an acrobat is something that continually evolves, Danielle's repertoire has grown from her first love - silk - to include hoop, rope, straps, hammock, trapeze, pole and hand to hand balancing. Danielle currently performs at Light Nightclub by Cirque du Soleil.

Elena Lev was trained in rhythmic gymnastics at an early age in Moscow, Russia. After creating a signature act incorporating hula hoops, gymnastics and contortion; she joined Moscow Circus in 1993. In 1994, she and her family joined Cirque du Soleil. Elena has performed in Alegria, Quidam, Wintuk, Zaia and Zumanity. She has also performed for Spiegelworld in the Empire show. Currently coaches Contortion, Flexibility and Hoola Hoop. Elena is available for private and personal training.

Jamilla Deville comes from a background in dance, as well as adagio, trapeze and silks. Jamilla started pole in 2000 and was one of the industry’s first professional instructors. Having claimed the original title of Miss Pole Dance Australia, she went on to create the International Pole Federation, as well as the first volumes of The Art of Pole DVD Collection. Known as “the pole dancers bible”, The Art of Pole has expanded into a top-selling series of 8 DVDs which continues to influence both students and teachers globally. From 2009-2011 Jamilla was awarded International Instructor of the Year from the IPDFA as well as Pole Dance International Magazine. Jamilla is the face of X-Pole Australia and represents the brand at events internationally. Most recently she won the United Pole Artists Pro Poler of the Year 2014 award. She has toured internationally for over five years. For more info: www.jamilla.com.au/

Leysan Gayazova trained at the Circus School of Kazan specializing in aerial hoop, rope and tissue. She has won awards at the Moscow Festival and Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. Prior to performing for Cirque du Soleil, she performed with the Russian circus “Ros Gos Cirque” for 2 years. She performed for Cirque du Soleil in the touring shows Amaluna and Varekai. In addition to teaching aerial hoop and flexibility at Shine, she also coaches corde lisse, and contortion.

Michael Lipari has been performing for more than 10 years with top companies and artists. Michael returned to Las Vegas from Singapore where he created a brand-new act for a multi-million dollar production in which he performed as a principal aerialist. His other career accomplishments include performing as aerial captain in Kylie Minogue’s Aphrodite World Tour, performing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and performing at The Grammys. Lipari has also worked with recording artists Nelly Furtado and The Black Eyed Peas. Michael was the first-ever aerialist to appear live on “America’s Got Talent,” making it all the way to the season finale. Michael specializes in aerial silks, hoop, and rope.

Pink Puma has been around sport and show business industry for more than 18 years. Since she was a child her qualities like hard work, patience, stamina helped her move forward and succeed. At the age of 17th this girl gained a title of Master of Sports in International Level. By this time her work experience includes many well-known entertainment corporations and sport organizations. Her performance background consists of enormous quantity of sport, dance, martial art and circus disciplines. In August 2011 this young artist decided to integrate her performance and competitive skills, dedicating her craft to Pole Dance and pursues new heights under the name of Pink Puma. Her main goal is to bring into Pole Dance even more artistry, athleticism, grace and to promote it as an Olympic Sport.

Sarah Romanowsky is an accomplished aerialist seen performing for projects such as the New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, Disney's Shake it Up, Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards, & Chevrolet's Superbowl ad featuring the cast of Glee. She has also been seen in the air at concert & corporate events such as Ultra Music Festival, Grammys, Creative Arts Emmys & Meatloaf’s Rocktellz and Cocktails. Stage productions include il Circo, All Wheels Extreme & Cirque de la Mer. Sarah has also been fortunate to share her passion on stages internationally, including productions in Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Ecuador, Mexico & Singapore. Sarah specializes in strong, dynamic, musically-driven aerial choreography & thrives on sharing her art with audiences & students alike.

 

Originally from New Zealand, Shyamtara is a dynamic aerial performer. She has performed around the world on land and sea, from settings as diverse as traditional circus to some of the world’s largest nightclubs. She takes great pleasure in sharing her knowledge with students at Shine Fitness.
www.FlyingNomad.net

Sunni Thomason is originally from Dallas, Texas. At age six, she began dancing at Forchers Dance Center for the Performing Arts. She continued her ballet training at Madame Krassovska's Ballet Jeunesse under the artistic direction of Nathalie Krassovska. She performed as student and artist receiving her first professional role at 14. She furthered her education through summers spent at The Rock School of Ballet in Philadelphia PA and Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson MS. In 2005 Sunni went on to work as a soloist for Metropolitan Classical Ballet under the artistic direction of Alexsander Vetrov and Paul Mejia. She has had the pleasure of dancing in such ballets as Sparticus, Paganini, Paquita, Brahms Waltzes and the world premier of Anatoly Emelianov's The Time, to name a few. She has been a guest artist and coach for many years focusing on classical and contemporary dance as well as fitness and physical health.

Talia Marino, a Miami native, began her dance training at the age of 6. After making top 25 female on SYTYCD, she moved to Los Angeles. In LA she performed in The Toledo Show, Charo’s Back-Up dancer, and a promo for Nip Tuck Season 6. Talia was part of thr original cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis”. And performed on Dancing with the Stars, SYTYCD, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Strictly Come Dancing in England, and is in Cirque du Soleil’s 3D movie “Worlds Away”. After the closing of Viva Elvis, she performed at The Act Las Vegas in the Palazzo. Talia then moved to Macau to be a feature performer in the show “Taboo”. She traveled throughout Hong Kong, China, and South Africa performing her art forms. Talia rejoined with Cirque du Soleil for the MJ Immortal World Tour. Recently, Talia has been performing in “Zombie Burlesque” at Planet Hollywood. Watch Talia in action here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6HszfDXdCg