What’s New » Ruby Karen Project

Staci Ensminger – Aerial Instructor/ Performer

Staci has excelled since her first class with us in 2014. Prior to aerial, Staci was a gymnast holding state titles in different events and All Around, which gave her the edge in aerial training. However, Staci’s ultimate success is mainly contributory to her personality and character. She is driven, dedicated, persistent, hardworking, eager to learn, and always keeps a positive attitude.
Over the years, her choices have been very calculated and analytical keeping in close connection with her mentor’s advice and trust, and each journey she takes always results in positive and successful outcome. Among her achievements are: 1st places in different categories at the 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 West Coast Aerial Arts Festival; 1st place in static hoop at the 2017 VIVA Fest in Las Vegas; acceptance at the prestigious Ecole Nationale De Cirque in Montreal 2016 and 2017 summer program; guest performer multiple times at Irvine Barclay theater. Being only 16, Staci was invited to be a part of professional cirque troupe, Circo Etereo Entertainment, with whom she performs all around California and where she is expected to train, rehearse, and perform like any other adult member. In 2017 she joined youth circus company, Le Petit Cirque with travel to Norway. Staci is currently in university while continuing her aerial training with the Ruby Karen Project and enjoying performances with Circo Etereo. She garnered her certification upon completion of the International Aerial Teacher Training Program (IATTP) conducted by Aerial Arts America for her teaching credentials.

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Ruby Karen – Artistic Director/ Instructor

With a career spanning five decades, aerialist, dancer, choreographer and producer, Ruby Karen has thrived in the performing arts—theater, cinema, and music—while mastering various fitness disciplines. With roots in Manila, Ruby Karen’s training and success’ gave her the opportunity to globetrot through metropolises such as, Zurich, Tokyo, New York, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, London, Paris, Munich and Vienna to name a few. Her accomplishments include holding three (3) World Titles in dance at organizations like the World Championship of Performing Arts, several national awards from Japan, Philippines and the United States, a guest performance on Fox’s hit prime time television show So You Think You Can Dance, an instructional Lifts and Tricks Partnering DVD; authorship of the fitness program Aerial Dance Fitness and the certification program, International Aerial Teacher Training Program (IATTP); Teacher’s Alliance, festival competition – West Coast Aerial Arts Festival; and performances and appearances in over twenty (20) countries and multiple cities around the world. Ruby Karen has also received ostensible press coverage from respected publications across the US, Asia, and Europe.

In 2007, after extensive travel performances and teachings, Ruby Karen commenced several individual projects that led to the birth of The Ruby Karen Project and its division, the Orange County Aerial Arts in 2009. Since then, both Ruby Karen and husband, Luca Cecchini (Technical Director and co-owner) evolved and expanded their profession in other related organizational activities including :

The first aerial school in Orange County, CA namely, the Ruby Karen Project, Aerial and Performing Arts and its’ performing company, Orange County Aerial Arts and is recognized as one of Southern California’s premier aerial instruction and performance schools.
She, together with husband, Luca, produce and manage their commercial entertainment company, CIRCO ETEREO, specialized Aerial and Dance acts as well as Fabrication of Aerial and Ground apparatuses.
She founded Aerial Arts America, a non-profit organization and the only one in Southern California that embodies standardization programs such as the Aerial Arts Teacher Certification, the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, and AAA’s Scholarship Program.
Ruby also spearheaded the birth of aerial arts competition in the Unites States’ west coast – the WEST COAST AERIAL ARTS FESTIVAL (WCAAF) and provided inclusion of aerialists of all ages, and further categorized according to aerial discipline and level. This is held yearly on the 2nd week of November.
They were featured in many high-end publications, online video shows, commercials and was featured extensively at KTLA – Allie MacKay’s program. OC Magazine, Cost Magazine, LA Times, among others.
Ruby and the school, the Ruby Karen Project is retained by several academic schools, including the Fairmont Schools around the Orange county areas, for their Physical Education program.
International consulting services that constituted training, production and adjudication of educational programs and student assessment for Ballet Manila and their newly formed group, Circus D’ Ballet; has been and is the consultant, coach and trainer for Sky Fly, the 1st aerial school in Bangkok; and has rendered several workshops and teacher certification courses to Mumbai’s Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir and Fly High. She also continuous collaboration projects with Shree Samartha, Vyayam Mandir, India and renders workshops to students of Steps in the Air in Mexico, and has been an educator contributor to American Youth Circus Organization and its affiliating organization, American Circus Educators Conference since 2015.

Videos of Ruby Karen can be found at this link.

There are more materials from companies that Ms. Karen performed with, including Brockus Red formerly known as Brockus Project Dance Company, Quezon City Ballet, Inspiration and South Bay Ballet.

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Luca Cecchini – Technical Director/ Instructor

Born and raised in Italy, after a long standing career (25 years) as a chef, restaurateur and event producer, Luca started his training in aerial arts in 2007 with his wife, Ruby Karen as his first instructor, alongside with established instructors and institutions in Southern California and Europe. He is the technical director for the Ruby Karen Project and its associated organizations, Orange County Aerial Arts, Circo Etereo and Aerial Dance Theater as well as the is the official rigger for the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival. He installs, maintains and prepares any and all rigging needs and fabrication of the above organizations. Luca is the main technical instructor and rigging moderator for Aerial Arts America’s Teacher Certification Program. He continues his training with major training facilitators including, American Educators Conference, Rope Meeting, AYCO, Mallakhamb Federation (India and USA) and several individual sessions with well-sought teachers.

In 2010, Luca garnered his United States rigging certificate. He saw the need for compliance with safety protocols in the operation and maintenance of their aerial performing arts school. As the performing demands for all above organizations started to grow, so did Luca’s rigging service – both indoor and outdoor in most convention centers, theaters, hotels and parks. And with the growing demand for aerial rigging, his reputation as one of the sought out riggers has gained him clients including similar aerial companies, studios, schools and fitness gyms, as well as high schools, colleges, universities and large event production companies such as EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival).

Aerial apart, Luca has a passion for designing props and sets and creating inventive apparatuses which both the school and its entertainment services employ. And.. as a young man in Italy, Luca grew up competing in martial arts in the likes of UFC type events, and carries his hobby till this day, in the form of sword fighting and combative stage training.

Classes taught: Aerial Silks, Hoop, Rope, Straps, Static Trapeze, Cube, Tumbling, Acrobatics, Acro-Partnering, Fire, Stilts, Summer Camps

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Ana Nyugen – Aerial Instructor/ Performer

Ana Nguyen completed her International Aerial Teacher Training Program (IATTP) and holds an aerial teacher certification from Aerial Arts America., the governing aerial teacher certification organization.

Ana is a young aerialist who begun her training in 2010 with the Ruby Karen Project. Being deeply educated in the musical arts her prior years, Ana had no dance background, flexibility, or athleticism. Through passion and hard work, she excelled in her aerial studies under the instruction of Ruby Karen and became a dedicated member of the Orange County Aerial Arts and Circo Etereo performing groups.

Ana placed 2nd in two divisions during her competition days at the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival, both in the Teen Division and the Professional Division 2013 and 2015 respectively. Currently, Ana trains in all apparatuses but specializes in aerial silks.

As she finishes her collegiate level, Ana is on leave and teachers part time at both Costa Mesa and Los Angeles locations. She continues to expand on her contortion and dance skills, while using her talents to perform in various events. Aside from performing, Ana enjoys assisting with the aerial summer camps and occasionally the aerial dance classes. Ana seeks to grow in her own abilities and inspire others with the transformation aerial arts has given her.

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Edie Morton – Aerial Instructor

For our mature clients, we offer gentle conditioning classes that combine aerials and other common tools. Our senior instructor, Edie started her aerial training in 2011 at the age of 54. Having understood the fundamentals of aerial arts, Edie boarded the vigorous training required by Aerial Arts America’s teacher certification and in December 2016, she completed her IATTP course (International Aerial Teacher Training Certification) and is close to completing all requirements. Her residency training has greatly helped her become an intelligent teacher using complimenting strategic teaching methods to demonstrate and explain the lessons to her students.

She caters to adults who feel intimidated by the aerial arts apparatuses and walks them through slowly as she convinces them that aerial arts is not only for the young but for all ages including seniors and is an extremely good method of keeping ones bones and physique in healthy condition.

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Alyssa Wallace – Alumni/ Aerial Instructor/ Performer

Alyssa Wallace is a Dancer, Dance Teacher and recently has completed the IATTP course (International Aerial Teacher Training Certification), a precursor to being certified in aerial arts by Aerial Arts America. She began dancing at a very young age, and balanced her technical training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Pointe to which she owes much training to her mentor, Tyson Garner and won several awards as a soloist, team member and was part of a dance nominated for the Industry Dance Awards. In 2015, she added Aerial Arts to her training at the Ruby Karen Project and with her combined Dance and Aerial Arts, it broadened her understanding of movement.

As a professional she has worked at Legoland in their Holiday Shows as a Hubble Bubble Witch and Christmas Toy Soldier and at Disneyland as a dancer in the Paint The Night Parade as a Dove and Lasso Girl, is a member of AMTC – Actors, Models and Talents for Christ, and through its agents, she represented her age group, presenting her contemporary piece and won the award. She has then been included in the big leagues of the modelling and performing arts, including her recent enlistment at the Mavrick Modeling Agency and the Eden Management both from Los Angeles.

aside from her aerial and dance background, Alyssa also completed her Yoga Sculpt certification through Core Power Yoga. Currently, she teaches Contemporary Dance, Hammock, Hoop and Silks at Ruby Karen Project, and is a substitute teacher for Capistrano Dance Academy.

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Jenna Ali – Alumni/ Aerial Instructor/ Performer

Jenna started her aerial arts training since 2009 at the age of 6 years old here at the Ruby Karen Project. A protege of this school, she is well equipped with the finest training technique both from a performance and teaching standpoint. Her training also includes her completion of the International Aerial Teachers Training Program (IATTP), course approved by AERIAL ARTS AMERICA and obtaining her aerial certification thereafter.

Jenna won several aerial arts competition at the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival including the following: 1st Place – Open Kids Aerials 2013 (Age 7-12); 1st Place – Kids Hoop/ Lyra 2014 (Age 7 – 12); 1st Place – Kids Aerial Silks/ Tissu 2015 (Age 7 – 12)

Jenna is the youngest IATTP graduate and teacher of the Ruby Karen Project. At the moment , she is in hiatus as she focuses on theatrical training and school, although she intermittently teaches as a substitute and handles the kids classes, assists, choreographs and coaches the apprentice program.

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Guests and Workshop Instructors

The Ruby Karen Project primarily provides first class training in the field of aerial arts. As such we constantly offer workshops and intensive training to our students, to provide a different perception and angle to their current training. As such, we invite established instructors, as notes in the below list below.
This webpage is still under construction and does not contain a complete list of invited guests.

	BRANDE LEE An alumni of the Ruby Karen Project, Brande Lee started her training in circus/aerial arts since 2009 with the Ruby Karen Propject and participated in the apprentice program, gaining her first aerial performances through its troupe, the Orange County Aerial Arts, She performed in OCAA’s “Airborne” and “Nightmare on Air” and still trains and performs with them to this day. Brande furthered her professional training at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) in their 2013-2014 Intensive Training Program. Over the past five years Brande has performed with her company, Elevated Aerial Dance, VIP Woman’s Dance, Wire Monkey Dance, SHOW Circus, and has been one of Cirque de la Mer’ aerialists in the 2014 through 2016, performing at Sea World in San Diego. Brande competed at the 2014 West Coast Aerial Arts Festival in the professional division and garnered 1st Place in her division as well as the overall winner. When in town, Brande teaches at the Ruby Karen Project.
	UDAY DESHPANDE The partnering of the Ruby Karen Project and Sir Uday Deshpande’s Institution, Mumbai’s Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir is just one of the many cultural international education that the RKP school actively promotes, as it visions to provide a platform to future aerial arts education with other international cultural arts and sports around the globe. Master Uday specializes in Mallakhamb Rope and Pole and teaches at the RKP when he is in town.
	TERRY BEEMAN Renowned master teacher in dance and aerials, teaching all over the world from the great cities of Paris, Prague, Tokyo, to the countries of India, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Australia and China. In his 15 years of training and teaching aerial Terry has set standards of quality the surpasses most.
	AURELIE DEROUX-DAUPHIN From France, Aurelie made her professional debut at the age of 17 in “Le Jeune Ballet de France,” a company in which she performed principal modern roles all around the European continent. She was also in “Scottish Ballet,” directed by Robert North. in Austria for “ABC Dance Company” directed by Nicolas Musin, performed and developed aerial pieces at “Jean Ann Ryan Company’s cruise ship productions, principal to modern dance company “Maryse Delente”, and an acrobat and aerialist with the “Transe Express Company. In Asia, she was a special guest for “Empat Mata TV show”. After finishing 5th in “Tu Si Que Vales”, the Spanish version of America’s Got talent, she joins Cirque du Soleil in Japan for the “OVO” show as a principal role and since then, has become Cirque du Soleil’s resident aerialist.
	RACHEL WALKER Rachel Walker is a Montreal based aerial trainer. Teaching at the famed Ecole Leotard, and National Circus School, and formed by legendary trapeze coach Victor Fomine, and ‘7 Doigts de la Main’ co-founder Shana Carroll. Rachel Walker starred in Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA” on solo swinging trapeze. She has also performed with TV 5, Circus Discordia, Paradiso Festival, and The Dresden Dolls. When in town, Rachel is invited to teach at the RKP
	ODGEREL GOMBO Odgerel Gombo has performed at Circus related productions and events just about everywhere. He was a silver medalist at the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo and a legendary instructor who has taught at at several schools all over the continent, including his very own school in Mongolia. He is a key element to many successful contortionists today. He is RKP’s contortion coach, but currently he on leaving, having accepted a touring job. When he finishes his contract, Odgerel will resume his post as contortion coach at the Ruby Karen Project.
	JACOB “KUJO” LYONS A household name in break dancing and chinese pole, Kujo teaches both breaking and the circus arts. In addition to teaching b-boy master classes and workshops around the world, Kujo has been featured in a number of high-profile media projects – Levi’s, music videos and .. the list goes on. Kujo is also an accomplished circus artist – he excels on aerial straps and Chinese poles, and has performed in numerous circus shows both nationally and internationally. He was also hired by Cirque du Soleil as a consultant for The Beatles: Love in 2004, and again in 2011. He’s been a preeminent figure in the global b-boy/breakdance scene for 20 years, performing, competing, judging competitions, and teaching in 35 countries on 6 continents. His creative contributions to b-boy culture and movement vocabulary are indisputable, and continue to inspire and influence b-boys around the world to this day.
	SPENCER CRAIG Montreal aerialist SPENCER CRAIG has been madly in love with circus for over 16 years. Beginning his training in aerials and handstands at the National Circus School in Montreal, while being mentored by Cirque Du Soleil’s Meaghan Wegg and Victor Fomine. He has gone on to perform throughout North America, Europe and Africa with his unique aerial hoop number in multiple festivals and companies. Catch him currently performing with Cavalia’s Odysseo under the big top in Irvine, California until March 20th
	KRISTIN KAYE Kristin Kaye is a former member of the 2009 USA World Champions hips Group Team and USA Senior Group National Team from 2007‐2009. In 2000, she was a member of the USA Junior National Group Team that competed at the Junior Pan American Championships. Prior to her accomplishments as a group team member, Kristin was the 2002 USA Junior National Champion and a member of the USA Junior National Team from 2001‐2002. In 2000, she was the Level 8 Junior Olympic Champion. In addition to coaching,currently trains full‐time in the sport of rowing.
	ANTONIO MOORE Originally from Chicago, Antonio Moore is a 10 year veteran with Cirque Du Soleil as an acrobat. Aside from tumbling and other gymnastic skills, he specialized Chinese Pole. He started his coaching career in the early 2000, training tumbling and gymnastics to girls & boys.
	ENRIQUE ESCAJEDA A former member of the Orange County Aerial Arts performing artists in 2009 – 2011, Enrique has garnered high level skill sets and continues to achieve new heights as he explores various avenues, space and people. He has been in many arenas, has taught at many schools and trained with elite athletes. TO his record, her has been with Santa Fe Opera, Club Med, Pirates Adventures, Currently, Enrique teaches and performs in Seattle’s Emerald Trapeze School. When here, we invite him to share his skill set wether as a coach or as a performer to RKP and its organizations. He specializes in Hand Balancing, Aerial Rope, and Flying Trapeze
	LIZ COOPER From Winnipeg, Canada, Liz Cooper has been teaching and performing aerial circus arts since 2001. She is also the co-director of Momentum, a company devoted to creating original works fusing dance and aerial arts. Together with artistic director Monica Goermann, Liz choreographs and performs in Momentum’s full-length productions. Other performances include annual concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the World Gymnaestrada in Finland, Switzerland, Austria, & Portugal, the Festival of Aerial Arts in Houston Texas, the Contemporary Circus Arts Festival of Toronto, the grand opening of Winnipeg’s MTS Centre Arena, and as a guest artist with Frostbite Circus, NAfro Dance Productions, Bolero Dance Theatre, and Manohar Performing Arts of Canada. In addition, to her classes in Winnipeg, Liz has taught aerial dance workshops in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Toronto, Seattle, Houston, Honolulu, and Oulun Tahti Sirkus, Finland.

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TERRY BEEMAN WORKSHOP – JULY 9 6PM Los Angeles

Renown choreographer, producer and aerial guru, Terry Beeman will be in town for a limited time only. He will be conducting an aerial workshop on Silks and Lyra.

WHEN: July 9, 2017 6pm – 8pm

WHERE: RKP Satellite @ BPS Studio, 618-B Moulton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Workshop Fee: $65.00

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE ONLINE

For more information, please email us: info@rubykaren.com (714) 330-7484

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Direct from India – Aditi Deshpande’s Mallakhamb Workshops

Mallakhamb is an ancient Indian Sports that is currently popularized by the Circus and Aerial arts community as additional disciplines in said field. Our guest workshop instructor comes directly from Mumbai, India and a 4 Time National Champion in Mallakhamb. She will be teaching various Rope and Pole techniques based on the attendee’s level.

$45. Single Workshop
$70. 2 Workshops

Reserve your spot now. Click Here

Please address any inquiries including Aditi’s availability in Southern California to: info@rubykaren.com (714) 846-6143

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