From a child, the art of body movement always intrigued MoNika.
From Wushu at age 6, to ballet at age 13, he always pushed for
more. His high school ballet teacher introduced him to a local
circus company Pendulum Aerial Arts, where he trained over the next
12 years. MoNika joined Pendulum Aerial Arts at age 14 and went to
be with the company until the age of 25. Throughout the years with
Pendulum, he grew with the company as the years went on. The
timeline follows starting off in the after school kids program, the
recreation classes, the youth program, the Pre-professional 4 year
program, Principle company member, head coach, director of
education and assistance artistic director.
But MoNika wanted more, and began taking opportunities to travel
abroad, which led him to Hong Kong. There, he was introduced to
pole dance, and in just a few years, he placed 2nd in the world and
1st in the nation.
The summer of 2015, he left his home in Oregon and traveled
south to California and then to Arizona. While maintaining his
training, he immersed himself with yoga, Pilates, conditioning,
technique, and overall health. Through diverse instructing,
philosophy, and continuous research, he wants his student’s body
movements to be a reflection of a healthy core.
MoNika has never let fear and limits intimidate him from
achieving more, making him broad-range artist. MoNika has worked
with: Cirque du Soleil, Pendulum Aerial Arts, Aerial Arts Academy,
Oregon Ballet Theater, Oregon Gymnastics Academy, Nike, Adidas,
Columbia Sportswear, Lululemon Athletica, Norwegian Cruise Lines,
Atlantis, Intel, Engelbert Strauss, Les Farfadias, and many others.
MoNika’s genres include: Wushu, ballet, aerial circus arts, modern
&contemporary dance, pole dance & competition, contortion,
jazz, tap, hip-hop, gymnastics, Pilates, and yoga. He has performed
charity events, collaborated with artists from countless nations
and backgrounds, and is an instructor in nearly all genres.
MoNika wants the best for his students and will always make sure
the students have a strong foundation in the discipline they
choose. May it be in yoga, circus, dance, Pilates, etc, a strong
foundation is key to progress as an artist, and athlete. Along with
his focus on foundation, he continues to challenge his students in
and out of the studio with his teaching methods. He loves to share
his knowledge to those who have the hunger to learn and who has an
open heart and mind.