Mermazing: A Cirque Pirate Adventure at Aerial Arts of Rochester

Emily Haldeman

Emily has been a student at Aerial Arts of Rochester for many years. She has a wonderful sense of adventure, and is often traveling and exploring new places. As a Virtual Production Supervisor, she is often called away for business travel which is perfect for this adventurer. Emily has been a performer in the Aerial Arts of Rochester performance troupe for a year, and is always working to advance her skill set.

Camille Collins

Camille has been doing aerial for 3 years. She is a Youth Instructor and Party Host at Aerial Arts of Rochester. Camille is a student at Brockport College studying Nursing.

Miranda Garcia

Miranda is a very well rounded performer. In addition to training on aerial hammock and lyra, she is also a hooper and stilt walker. Miranda loves mermaids, and has always wanted to perform as an aerial mermaid. She is very excited to share this show with you!

Bethany Munson

Bethany has been training at Aerial Arts for 2 years. She is a busy lady, in addition to Aerial Arts she takes tumbling lessons, plays soccer, and is an actor. She shares a birthday with Taylor Swift.

Ainslee O'Keefe

Ainslee has been training at Aerial Arts since she was 7 years old. When not at the studio, Ainslee enjoys playing soccer and singing. She is a proud Leo.

Layla

Layla has been training at Aerial Arts for 3 years. In that time, she has completely fallen in love with the aerial silks and spends all her free time training. She is also working on her contortion skills.

Julia Gullo

Julia has been a student of Aerial Arts of Rochester for several years. Most recently, she has been added to the team as a Pole and Chair Dance instructor. This is Julia's first performance with Aerial Arts of Rochester as a member of the staff. Outside of Aerial Arts, she is a student of dance and has worked on productions such as A Christmas Carol at Geva theatre. Julia recently graduated with her B.S. in theatre and dance from SUNY Brockport.

Kaylin Cervini

Kaylin has been training in Aerial Arts for years, and is one of our instructors. When she isn't at the studio, she is a singer/songwritter. Queen Coral's song is a Kaylin Cervini original, if you like what you hear give her a follow on tiktok @kaylincervini

Kiendra Pensgen-Simpson

Kiendra has been doing aerial for 4 years. Focusing on Hooping and Corde Lisse, Kiendra founded the Hooplah Troupe in 2022. This group of hoopers aims to spread positivity and inclusivity in the community. They are excited for everyone to enjoy the show!

Sebastian Ferlo

Sebastian is our Youth Acrobatics coach at Aerial Arts of Rochester. His parents were in the Ringling Brothers, so joining the circus was inevitable. Sebastian is also a skilled juggler, and enjoys working with Diablo.

Paige Pensgen-Simpson

Paige has been practicing aerial for 4 1/2 years, and is working toward her yoga certification. Paige has been an instructor at Aerial Arts of Rochester for 3 years. She teaches Pole, Yoga, and Lollipop Lyra. When she isn't working or studying, Paige loves to hula hoop with her partner and co founder of the Hooplah Troupe. In her spare time, Paige enjoys water color painiting.

Jessie Soto

Jess has been a performer since she was 5 years old, where she studied tap, jazz, and lyrical dance. She started aerial training in 2018, and has been an instructor at Aerial Arts for 2 years, where she teaches Silks, Hoop, Pole, Youth, and Dance classes. Jess loves to choreograph and perform, she is a member of Aerial Arts of Rochester's performance troupe as well as a member of Show Starters. She is proud to be an Aerial Mom!

Macrina Jeary

Macrina has been doing aerial since she was 8 years old. She began her journey as a student in the Youth Aerial Arts program at Aerial Arts of Rochester. Now, you can find her instructing that very same program she started in. Macrina has a love for crafting and painting. She brings a youthful, fun energy to her performances. This will be her second performance in the Rochester Fringe Festival.

Frances Winterberger

Fran started her aerial journey in 2015 and has loved every minute of it. When not instructing or performing with the troupe, you can find her scooping ice cream at Pittsford Dairy or hanging out with her cats.

Cathy Linehan

Cathy has been part of the Aerial Arts of Rochester teaching staff for 2 years. She teaches Hoop, Aerial Yoga, and Stretching. Cathy is a proud dog Mom to 2 adorable Golden Retrievers. She is thrilled to be performing in this underwater adventure!

Katherine Joliff

Kat joined the Aerial Arts team in early 2023. She is our lead party hostess and teaches Youth and Silks classes at our facility. Kat has been a student of Aerial Arts for going on 2 years, and in that time has found a love for performing. Kat studies the Organ at the Eastman School of Music.

Janelle Hines

Janelle joined the team at Aerial Arts in early 2023. She teaches Youth, Pole, and Hammock classes. Always preparing a new character, Janelle brings a positive bright energy to her performances. In her spare time, Janelle runs a community garden and loves to share her passion for upcycling.

Jennifer Dovidio

Jennifer is classically trained dancer all throughout adolescence and continued to pursue dance at the collegiate level. She become a professional actress at the age of 13 when she hit the stage at Geva Theater in "A Christmas Carol". Into early adulthood, she pursued writing and recording music with GFI productions and toured with band, Justified. She has been on 92.5 WBEE's Upstate on Stage, featured on local commercial jingles and sang back up vocals for previous platinum selling artists. Jennifer has also had the privilege of being on the Rochester Brigade dance team, teaching children’s dance classes and coaching CYO cheerleading.
 As a Rochester Institute of Technology Alumni she studied Arts Management, Business and Hospitality. As her passion for entrepreneurship grew stronger, she opened the studio in 2010. 
 Initially training aerial acrobatics with a competitive gymnastics coach, she went on to do private training sessions and workshops with some of the best athletes in the world, including Olympic athlete of the decade, Christine VanLoo.Jennifer has also studied at several circus arts centers up and down east coast including the New England Center of Circus Arts, Esh Aerial Arts, Sunshine Circus Arts and more. Jennifer now performs locally in the upstate area with the Aerial Arts of Rochester cirque troupe. Recently, she had had the honor and pleasure of being a keynote speaker for Girl Scouts of WNY and would love to inspire other area groups by sharing her experience and knowledge with our community. She is also helping local theater organizations with aerial choreography and is planning new productions for AAoR students.

William Dovidio

As the co-owner of Aerial Arts of Rochester, William brings an innovative style and approach to teaching that allows people of all ages, levels and abilities to do experience the circus arts. Prior to aerial, he was a 3rd degree black belt and instructed martial arts for 10 years. Throughout college he focused on sports medicine, while attaining a comprehensive understanding of human physiology and anatomy. He has been able to help many athletes and aerialists avoid injuries and succeed in their training.
 
 William is also a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and professional photographer. Having worked as digital editor for the New York Times Magazine, he has been able to use his multi-media experience to elevate the professionalism of Aerial Arts of Rochester. 
 When transiting back to his roots in the health and fitness industry William trained under Olympic Athlete, Christine VanLoo, Cirque Du Soliel artist, Ann Stimmel and at many circus arts training schools across the U.S. including the reputable New England Center of Circus Arts. Through education, he continues to inspire others to follow their dreams of running away with the circus.

Frances Winterberger

See Cast Bio

Julia Frederick

Julia graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014 with her Bachelors Degree in Theatre. With a focus on the behind the scenes, Julia has the skills needed to run this circus! Julia is the Studio Manager at Aerial Arts of Rochester. She has been a part of the team since 2015. As well as managing, Julia is a Youth instructor at Aerial Arts. She enjoys building relationships with her students and being a source of encouragement for students and staff alike.

Chris Rzatkiewicz

Chris has been a software developer for over 15 years, and is excited to share he just bought a house in Irondequoit. His favorite holiday is Halloween.