Instructor
Latoya Okundaye has been a Circus Up student for the past two years and is excited to continue her training while working as an assistant coach. Born in Nigeria, Latoya came to the U.S. in 2017 and is currently based in Boston. She loves duo trapeze, tumbling, aerial silks, and contortion. Naturally drawn to extracurricular and fun activities like singing, dancing, circus, and basketball, Latoya thrives at them all! "So far, working with Circus Up has been one of the best moments of my life. I am very excited, and I love being a part of the team!" In 2019, Latoya performed with Circus Up in the Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “Pagliacci”.
Instructor
Ronnie Terrel Thomas, an active dancer, director, choreographer, and teacher in the Boston /New England area. The founder of Mystique Illusions Dance Theatre. His initial training started with the Boston Arts Academy, Under the watchful eyes of ballet teacher Cosmin Marculetiu. Thomas was offered numerous scholarships from The Boston Conservatory, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet. At the age of 16 Thomas was featured in The American Ballet Theater production of Giselle, shortly after he had the amazing opportunity to share the stage with Mikhail Baryshnikov and his company, White Oak Dance Project in the featured piece Past Forward.
By age 18, Thomas had performed with such companies as Jose Mateo Ballet Theater, The Hybrid Movement Company, Quixotic Fusion Performance Ensemble, and Anna Myer and Dancers, and Teatrul De Balet Sibiu, Romania. As an aerialist, Ronnie has performed with the Hybrid Movement Company, Vance Garrett Productions and Rudy Benda Productions. He also has performed breakdance with the NYC Tranzformerz Breakdance Crew. Ronnie’s choreographic and collaborative work spans in dance, aerial and body2body partnering.
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ronnie terrel thomas
Abbi wilson
Abbi is excited to be working with Circus Up! Recently graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, she just completed a year of service with the North Shore United Way Americorps program. Abbi is excited to now be working on her MSW at Boston College. She continues to practice circus arts and especially loves partner acrobatics and duo trapeze. When she's not flipping or flying, she's probably dreaming about playing with dogs or in the library studying!
Administrative Assistant | Instructor
Circus Up Staff
Circus Up Staff
LEAH abel
Co-Founder | Executive Director | Head Instructor
She holds a Masters degree in Social Work from Simmons College and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Leah also (surprisingly) completed her Masters in Environmental Law and Policy at Vermont Law School.
Leah loves the circus world and is happiest there. Leah performs and teaches with the nonprofit organization Clowns Without Borders...
Instructor
Lucia has been training in circus arts for more than 5 years, and loves every second of it! Her specialties are rope, silks, and wire.
Lucia grew up in Boston and has loved being active ever since she could walk. She began dancing ballet, yet discovered that circus was her true calling. Now, Lucia is a professional aerialist and belly dancer and is currently a teacher at Commonwealth Circus Center. She loves teaching kids and is extremely excited to be part of the Circus Up team!
LUCIA Cassan
Alissa Feller
Instructor
Alissa grew up in leotards and spent her childhood hand balancing on logs and anything she could find. She was the regional balance beam champion at her high school. She went on to get her BFA in painting at the University of New Hampshire where she also began rock climbing and hiking the White Mountains.
Mariel kronitz
latoya okundaye
Instructor
Mariel (left) has loved being in the air or upside down for as long as she can remember. She discovered circus over 5 years ago, and has been practicing and learning ever since!
She specializes in aerial silks, flying trapeze, and duo trapeze, and loves working with kids of all ages. She is so excited to continue her love for circus by working with Circus Up! When not circus-ing, she can be found in college, where she is working towards a degree in social work.