Alice is co-founder and director of School of Larks as well as one of the main teachers. Alongside teaching Alice has been freelance aerial performer for 8 years working for companies such as Above and Beyond, Citrus Arts and Burnt Out Theatre. Alice co-founded the contemporary circus company CirqOn the Seam with Oceane Sunniva. Alice is a self taught aerial artist and teacher, she did most of her training in Seville, helping to found a circus school. Alice is also trained in massage and dance.

Claudia is co-founder and director of School of Larks as well as one of the main teachers. A trained actress and yoga teacher, Claudia Weston was inspired to pursue aerial after attending a family circus class. Claudia still remembers the exact moment that her eyes fell on the trapeze. From then on, the trapeze became a delightful obsession and plans of aerial classes being in Stroud formed. Claudia discovered Alice doing aerial classes in Nailsworth and together they formed the business.

Sophie Liengaard Forster specialises in hula-hoop manipulation and is also experienced in acrobatics and tumbling. She studied textiles in Brighton while beginning her circus career by performing at small events and festivals. Nowadays she is a professional fire-eater and fire dancer, as well as teaching part-time with School of Larks.

Kirsten Pobjoy studied with the intention of becoming a graphic artist, however the pass-time obsession of aerial turned into an apprenticeship with School of Larks. Kirsten now travels the world as a Professional Wingwalker, whilst continuing to teach part time with School of Larks!

Aimee graduated from Circomedia with a 1st class BA degree in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre. While studying at Circomedia she specialised in Corde Lisse (aerial rope), and partner acrobatics. Aside from throwing cool tricks and splatting on crash mats, she also enjoys incorporating elements of theatre, dance, and modern technology, to push the creative possibilities of circus disciplines in performance.

Edwin was inspired by his grandfather and uncle to be a clown. After studying at Circomedia he trained at a prestigious French theatre school; Ecole Philippe Gaulier. His favourite disciplines are juggling, theatre and clown. Now he enjoys teaching, training and performing with School of Larks. You may find also him making coffees at The Canteen in Nailsworth.

An artist at heart, Sam has always revelled in all things creative. After completing her art degree, she worked in a variety of areas from illustration through to book selling, before chancing upon the world of 'circus'. Sam’s first foray into the aerial world was on a whim, since then she’s never looked back. Her part-time passion became her profession when she joined the team. Sam’s diverse background has given her a broad skill set that she brings to the heart of School of Larks.

Andy discovered the aerial arts when she enrolled her son at School of Larks. It took a few years for her to pluck up the courage to join an adults class but hasn’t looked back since. She had the incorrect impression that it was for children and slim, younger adults but has discovered that all ages and sizes are as capable and get just as addicted. Though not a performer, Andy has a passion for teaching aerial and loves it when she sees people overcoming their fears and reaching their goals.

Kai is a keen manipulator of objects, specialising in devil sticks but dabbling in juggling, diabolo, hat tricks, poi, plate spinning, nunchucks, whip cracking, kendama, staff, contact juggling and, well, you get the idea. He loves to train, perform and teach anyone willing to learn.

Esmée was one of our first ever School of Larks students! At the age of 14 Esmée began assistant teaching at a local dance school, she also helped out at some of our circus classes and workshop. At the age of 15, Esmée went to study dance at SGS College in Bristol. Now 17, Esmée is taking a year out applying for dance schools and working with us again. Esmée especially enjoys teaching in the children's aerial classes and appreciates how aerial and dance compliment each other so well.

Josh started off breakdancing at a young age before making the transition into circus, going to Circomedia's BTEC for 2 years whilst teaching himself Cyr wheel, which he then went on to specialise in when studying at National Centre for Circus Arts for a further 3 years. Graduating his BA degree, whether it's teaching or performing, you'll find Josh enjoying all things circus at School of Larks.

Rowen is a multidisciplinary performer and teacher, and BA graduate of Circomedia where he specialised in handbalancing. He's worked with companies across the UK such as Lavrak, Glorious Productions, and is co-founder and director of Grounded Circus.

Eilidh attended Circomedia (Bristol) where she trained as an acrobat flyer and handbalancer on their Foundation Degree. Since graduating, she has performed as an acrobat and hula hooper internationally, and has completed multiple circus tours across the UK.

Angeliki is an architect with a master degree in contemporary circus, from University of Uniarts in Stockholm (D.O.C.H). She is been working a lot on developing her personal way of moving and practicing through space, improvisation and long durational performances. She is moving a lot with silks, hoop, trapeze, ropes, and bungees and the last years she is combing bungees with aerial apparatuses.

ll the way from Athens, Greece via Barcelona, Christina teaches and explores different ways to use with the floor, with floor acrobatic dance elements and the creation of more complex movement drills.

Lil Rice, singing Cyr wheel artist. Studies Cyr wheel for 3 years at National Centre for Circus Arts before starting her own all-female circus company Alula Cyr. She is currently appearing in Giffords Circus with her singing Cyr wheel act.

Enni's own practise with the trapeze is highly based on dynamic movement. In her workshops she wants to give understanding of how to use your body, creating power, big swings, 'air' and time to do many different re-catches and moves, where you need to know where and how to create and direct the movement effortlesly.

Matt's varied background of physical movement comes from Judo, breakdancing and 18 years of Kung Fu. Matt began circus at the age of 22 at ENACR in Paris. He then felt a calling to the icy winds of the north where he studied at DOCH in Stockholm. It was here that he spent 3 years working with a mix of martial arts, acro movement and high handstand technique to create his own performative style. After graduating, he went and then co-created the company and show FAUNA which is still touring today