The "us" in circus
Levity Circus Collective is a community of circus artists in Ashland Oregon committed to providing a safe and inspiring space for learning circus arts. Our experienced teachers offer a wealth of knowledge, varied perspectives and infectious enthusiasm to help students take flight. Expert instruction is combined with open training time to complete the numerous repetitions it takes to reach an ever higher level. After learning and training comes performance, the most challenging and rewarding stage in becoming a circus artist. Combining hard work and play anyone can find a place in or above the circus ring, we want to help you find yours.
Teachers
Maureen Monroe
Maureen Elizabeth began her skyward exploration in 2012 when she moved to Ashland and became captivated by the beauty and athleticism of aerial circus arts. She is the director of the Levity performance company, and has toured with the New Old Time Chautauqua, the Acrobatic Conundrum and annually graces the stages of the Oregon Country Fair. Maureen also runs her own Pilates studio, Ashland Authentic Pilates.
Ty Monroe
Ty juggles jobs, tours around in a wheely big ring, and builds things like this website. With a degree in dance and a diploma in circus arts from the National Circus School in Montreal he’s over edumucated and wants you be too. He has toured China with L'Arsenal Musique, Canada with Cirque Jean Coutu, and the US with Acrobatic Conundrum. When he's not touring Ty enjoys teaching gymnastics and circus to kids of all ages here in the Rogue valley.
Barbra Kenyon
Barb loves aerial! As an instructor she brings a lighthearted approach to her classes and a passion for helping people find success and freedom in the air. Having formerly worked as a mental health therapist she enjoys helping people break through barriers with gentle encouragement. Barb recently completed a 40 hour teacher training with Paper Doll Militia and has incorporated an in depth focus on physical sustainability in the sport.
Maia Livingston
Anna Thomas-Henry
Julia Brown
Maia has been training in acrobatics since the early age of 5. Now a full blown Straps geek- she fell head over heels for all things circus in 2011 and has been utterly devoted ever since. Maia has completed teacher trainings by both Aaron Koz and Paper Doll Militia. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love for circus arts. When Maia is not teaching or flying, find her at home with her family of four, romping through the woods or cozied up by the wood stove.
Anna's training started in gymnastics, dance and fitness gyms. Then an interest in theatre took off and eventually, circus arts. She specializes in silks, aerial net, handbalance, and duo aerial acts, while she enjoys training in contortion, straps, rope and trick jump roping too! Anna is a private aerial coach, handstand wizard, & flexibility trainer based out of NYC & Seattle. She served as the Principal Aerial Coach at the Professional Prep Program of SANCA Seattle, held the first Teaching Artist in Residence position at Body & Pole NYC and developed a guest workshop portfolio.
She was awarded 1st place at the 2015 U.S. Aerial Championships for silks as well as placement as a finalist in the 2015 Aerial Acrobatic Arts Festival in Denver. She has performed with The Acrobatic Conundrum, acts with Tyler & Anna Circus Duo and worked regularly with a dozen of New York City's private event producers. We are so excited to have her at Levity!
Julia began training in Aerial Arts in 2016. Finding aerial was the missing link connecting her passion for creative movement, that stems from her dance and theatre background. She performed with the Tahoe Flow Artists performance company. Sharing her love for performance arts at festivals, productions and events in Lake Tahoe/Reno.
Currently residing in Ashland, performing with Levity Circus Collective and this local community of aerialists since 2019. She is now thrilled to be teaching aerial Lyra and Silks and sharing her love for performance art!
Flora Chipowsky
Hanna Winters
Flora grew up in the circus, dancing and performing from the young age of five. She has always had a deep passion for dance and creative expression. She received her teaching certification in 2020 from Paper Doll Militia and has been consistently teaching ever since. Flora has trained in a variety of aerial disciplines, specializing in Aerial Lyra, Aerial Sling, and Aerial Silk. Her desire is to help others overcome their fears and reach beyond their limits in a safe environment. Flora's classes balance fundamentals, strength, flexibility, and dance creation. Her goal is to make her students feel confident and capable while having fun in the air. She loves sharing the magic of circus with everyone.
Hanna knew her passion for dance at a young age, and went on to study Dance Performance and Choreography at Elon University. In college she focused on Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, and Jazz. When she left college, she dove into the dance world, teaching classes to all ages and performing with various companies on the west coast and in New York City. She received a certificate for a 200 hour yoga teacher training and further pursued dance pedagogy. She booked a tour with Music Producer “Troyboi”, in 2017, as a dancer, and violinist, and toured with him for 2.5 years. On the tour, she was trained to do an aerial doubles act and fell in love with circus. Since then, Circus has been her main pursuit. She specializes in Silks, Sling, and Duo Acts! She currently performs with Levity, manages the studio, and teaches aerial and dance at various studios around the valley. She also is production manager for the Ashland Folk Collective.
Levity Circus Collective
280 E Hersey St #15
Ashland, OR 97520