Continuing with our circus interview series, I decided to check out the amazing students of A2D2’s C2 (Cirque Centre) for a special Cirque Student Addition. Since November of 2010, we have had almost a full year of aerial classes and they are going great. Many of the students have been with C2 from the beginning and continue to take classes regularly. Below is my first interview with a good friend of mine, the amazing Gabriella DeBartolo. Enjoy!
Gabriella DeBartolo
Q: If someone had asked you two years ago if you would ever take an aerial class, what would have been your reaction?
A: OH YES!!!!! I have talked about training in aerial for years! And I’m so happy and excited that I’ve started that I don’t want to stop. Aerial is definitely a new love of mine.
Q: How did you hear about A2D2?
A: Funny story, I have actually known the girls for 15 years (wow I feel old). I met the tremendous trio at Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance. Julie was my teacher assistant in jazz class, Elisa was the girl everyone wanted to dance like and Samantha was actually in my dance class…and I’m honoured to have shared a stage with all of them!
I continued to dance and stay in contact with these ladies over the years and have performed countless contortion routines for them at events. When they told me they were starting aerial classes, I jumped at the opportunity!
Q: What apparatus/’s do you train on? (If multiple, what is your opinion on them, which is your favorite?)
A: For the last 9 months I have trained on aerial hoop which is absolutely amazing! Hoop is artistic, powerful, graceful and exhilarating! It really pushes your body in ways one would never expect. Especially coming from a dance background, I’m using muscles I never knew I had!
I’m also a rookie on the silks, just completed my second class Woot Woot! I’m not going to lie, silks is hard…like super hard. But it’s a blast! For the time being my favourite apparatus is hoop but talk to me in 5 months and see where I’m at 
Q: Did you have an athletic discipline prior to training circus arts? (What was it? Do you do it now? Why or why not?)
Miss Contortion - Handstand
A: Prior to training circus arts I was a dancer. I have been dancing for 20 years and competed for 9 years in jazz, tap, ballet and acrobatics. For three years I studied modern dance (Horton and Graham techniques) and three years ago I won a scholarship to spend one summer in Bergamo, Italy studying Russian Ballet. But throughout all my training, acrobatics was definitely my favourite. Nothing made me more happy than hanging upside down.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A: I see myself performing and travelling… and hopefully together! This world is so big and there is so much talent everywhere, I just want to see everything! I would love to do a cross-Canada tour performing and then maybe a European tour.
Q: As a circus student, do you have any advice for people who are interested in taking a class?
A: Go for it! The first class will be like walking into an artistic jungle, but don’t get discouraged! Everyone starts out the same; not everyone can climb to the top of the silks on their first try; coming down off the hoop will feel like the hardest thing you’ve ever done, but I PROMISE within a few weeks it’ll feel as natural as walking! The human body is amazing and your body will surprise you.
Q: Why do you love circus?
Gabriella DeBartolo - Splits
A: Growing up I was one of those children who could NEVER sit still (that’s actually how I got into dance, my mom wanted me to burn off some energy) and as an adult I still can’t sit still. I live to dance and contort and perform, so being in the air just adds that extra element of excitement! Also who doesn’t love to put on wild make-up and costumes? All a girl really needs in life are colourful eyelashes and glitter J.
Q: Any other comments.
A: A2D2 is such a fun and welcoming space! Just being with the sisters and the students each week is an added bonus to a great class!
