Speciality:
Arts Administration, Volunteers Management

Amelie comes from France where she studied cinema-audiovisual and communication and marketing. After spending a year in Australia she moved to Cork where she has become involved in the arts. Amelie has worked for the Cork Midsummer Festival 2007 where she was responsible for co-ordinating the volunteers programme in addition to many other projects. She has been a part of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestra team as Acting Office Administrator and is coming back in January 2008 to the Cork Midsummer Festival as project assistant. Amelie continues to volunteer for various arts organisations and events in Cork and joined Circus Festival Ireland in September 2007 to support the administration as well as the volunteers programme.

Speciality:
Clowning, Cabaret, Puppeteer

Arran is from England and has been living in Ireland since training circus skills for an 8 month period at the Belfast Circus School. He now is co-manager, performer & tutor with Cork Circus and over the last years founded the puppet theatre 'Tangle Theatre' as well as Puppet Power which is an arts outreach project. In addition he is also a freelance puppeteer and visits many places with his Indian puppet show 'Lungi the Travelling Puppeteer’. Arran is one of the founding members of Circus Festival Ireland and part of the Artistic Committee.

Speciality:
Juggler, Actor, Cabaret, Acrobatics, Comedy Improv

Primarily trained at Belfast Circus School, as co-founder of Cork Circus, Cathal has performed at almost every festival in Ireland since its beginnings in 2001. Cathal has taught circus workshops all over Cork and Ireland, as well as in Nicaragua, India & Italy, and has worked on both short-term one-off projects and long-term projects towards parades and performances. Besides the circus work, he is also a member of the successful Snatch Comedy Improv. As one of the founding members as Circus Festival Ireland he is delighted that circus has really gained momentum in Ireland.

Speciality:
Devil Stick, Clowning, Staff, Acrobatics

After spending 4 years living in London, Amsterdam and Asia, Cian has finally returned to his native Ireland to pursue his interests. He now studies Permaculture in which he also works, and continuous to develop his Devil Stick, Staff, clowing and acting skills. He does freelance performances for Cork Circus as well as for Kinsale based Passe Partout, and regularly teaches Devil Stick workshops. In addition to his circus work, Cian has a real passion for cooking and works as a chef as well. Cian is one of the founding members of Circus Festival Ireland and a member of the Artistic Committee.

Speciality:
Accountancy, Treasuring

Clíona graduated from NUI Galway in 1999 with an MA in Philosophy (Ethical & Cultural Studies) and went on to manage the office of a busy bar and restaurant in Galway. During her time there she studied Accountancy and was awarded a Certificate in Business Accounting by CIMA. She moved to Cork in May 2007 after spending 2 years in New Zealand where she worked as Payroll Manager for New Zealand Railways Corporation. Cliona has now turned her skills to being treasurer for Circus Festival Ireland which she joined in November 2007.

Speciality:
Juggling, UCC liaison, UCC Clubs President

Dave Tierney is currently in his third year in University College Cork. He is studying Astrophysics and is very much involved in student events and activities. He started juggling 2 years ago with Cork Circus and revived the Juggling Club in UCC. As UCC Clubs President he acts as the link between the college and the festival. He is also 6 foot 7 so you cannot miss him at the festival!

Speciality:
Costume Design, Juggling, Acting, Clowning

Francesca joined Cork Circus shortly after they started and now is the company Costume Designer. She works as a performer and tutor too, which has brought her to all major festivals in Ireland over the past four years. Francesca has done many community arts projects as well, including projects with various Youth Clubs and the Traveller’s Women Network. As a multi-talented artist, juggler and circus performer she is very versatile and has long been dreaming about a circus festival in Cork. Being one of the founding members of Circus Festival Ireland, she is delighted that this dream is now being realized.

Speciality:
Poi, Clowning

Guillaume is from France and has been living in Ireland for the last 2 years. He has a background in business and strives to one day have his very own business. Guillaume is a real Poi-man and spends a lot of his time perfecting his near-to-perfect skills. He has visited all major European juggling conventions and now focusses on advancing in his very unique spinning style. He does freelance performance work with Passe Partout, Cork Circus and No Frontiers Dance Company, and as a founding member of Circus Festival Ireland and member of the Artistic Committee, is endlessly committed to developing it.

Speciality:
Arts Administration, Acrobatics, Staff

Joya is from the Netherlands and spent the last 8 years living in Amsterdam, Lisbon, London, and Asia. She originally came from a business background but has now really dedicated herself to the arts. Joya has been working for the Cork International Choral Festival as Festival Administrator since January 2007 and recently took up part time administration of Cork Circus. She likes to train acrobatics and staff with Cork Circus and has been involved in performances with Cork Community Art Link as well as with the Cork Circus Explosions. Joya is also one of the founding members of Circus Festival Ireland and likes to keep an overview on everything.

CIRCUS FESTIVAL IRELAND
15 - 17 FEBRUARY 2008
HOSTED BY UCC, CORK CITY, IRELAND