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Acro Mel
FALL 2023
Curriculum Vitae
Mel was born and raised in Canada and has trained extensively in aerial acrobatics, partner acrobatics, pole dance, yoga, dance, gymnastics, and general fitness. Mel opened the first pole and aerial studio in Qatar in 2013, and now oversees her pole and aerial studio in Saudi Arabia. Having trained and performed worldwide, Mel is primarily based in the Middle East where she teaches and performs, and is dedicated to supported a growing circus community.
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As an instructor Mel aims to create a comfortable and engaging environment that allows students to learn about movement and their bodies in a healthy and happy way.
Certs & Education
Certifications
e-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher)
Yoga Alliance
September 2019
e-RYT 200 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher)
Yoga Alliance
March 2017
YACEP Continuing Education Provider
Yoga Alliance
March 2017
Yoga 300 Hour Teacher Training (500 hour certified)
Yama Yoga (certified by Yoga Alliance)
Doha, Qatar
July 2016
Fitness Instructor Specialist
Canadian Fitness Professionals
Vancouver, Canada
January 2016
Pole Instructor Certification
Gravity Vertical Education (certified by the Canadian Pole Fitness Association)
Vancouver, Canada
January 2016
Rigging Fundamentals for Aerial Performance
High Performance
Letterkenny, Ireland
June 2015
Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Training
Association for Yoga and Meditation (certified by Yoga Alliance)
Rishikesh, India
January 2014
Atmospheric Yoga Teacher Training
Cadence Fitness
Victoria, Canada
September 2012
Gymnastics Coach Level 1
Whistler Gymnastics
Whistler, Canada
June 2007
First Aid
Continual upgrade
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, USA
In progress
Diploma of Instructor in Circus Arts
Ecole Nationale de Cirque (ENC)
Montreal, Canada
December 2019
Master of Business Administration
University of Northampton
Northampton, UK
March 2016
Bachelor of Arts
University of Victoria
Victoria, Canada
October 2012
Diploma
Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts
Edmonton, Canada
June 2006
Teaching
Teaching and Visiting Artist
La Central del Circ
Barcelona, Spain
August 2025
Peak Aerial Fitness
Kelowna, Canada
July 2025
Sweet Retreats: Dynamics Aerial Silks Advanced Level Retreat
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
June 2025
Tropik Pole PR
San Juan, Puerto Rico
June 2025
Cirque Haus
New York, USA
April 2025
Pole Fit Dubai
Dubai, UAE
April 2025
Dubai Circus School
Dubai, UAE
April 2025
BodyWorks Aerial Arts & Ftiness
Athens, Greece
April 2025
Lilaland Pole Dance And Aerial Arts
Athens, Greece
April 2025
Zero Gravity Pole and Aerial Arts
Athens, Greece
April 2025
Irish Aerial Creation Center
Limerick, Ireland
March 2025
Bendy Studio
Bristol, UK
March 2025
National Centre for Circus Arts
London, UK
March 2025
Polefit Dubai
Dubai, UAE
March 2025
Dubai Circus School
Dubai, UAE
March 2025
La Central del Circ
Barcelona, Spain
January– February 2025
Calgary Circus Studio
Calgary, Canada
October – November 2024
R.Song Studios
Calgary, Canada
October – November 2024
Ascension Fitness
Calgary, Canada
October – November 2024
Sharm Circus School Dubai
Dubai, UAE
September 2024
Taking Flight Performing Arts School
Dublin, Ireland
August 2024
Aerial Cirque
Dublin, Ireland
August 2024
Circomedia Circus School
Bristol, UK
June 2024
National Center for Circus Arts (NCCA)
London, UK
June 2024
Hairhanging Retreat Sweet Retreats
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
May 2024
Brava Studios
Doha, Qatar
April 2024
Aerotique Aerial Studio
Columbus, USA
April 2024
Studio Rouge
Columbus, USA
April 2024
National Center for Circus Arts (NCCA)
London, UK
March 2024
Emerald City Trapeze
Seattle, USA
March 2024
New Moon Movement Arts
Seattle, USA
March 2024
Aerial Life Studio
London, UK
February 2024
Capitol City Circus School
Washington, DC, USA
December 2023
Monarca In Flight
Falls Church, USA
December 2023
Reverie
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
October 2023
Peak Aerial Fitness
Kelowna, Canada
July 2023
Calgary Circus Studio
Calgary, Canada
July 2023
Cosmic Fit Club
New York, USA
June 2023
Aloft Circus Arts
Chicago, USA
June 2023
National Center for Circus Arts (NCCA)
London, UK
May 2023
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Brussels, Belgium
May 2023
Dutch Acrobatics Convention
Arnhem, Netherlands
May 2023
Vasim Circus Space
Nijmegen, Netherlands
May 2023
Dutch Acrobatics Preconvention
Beuningen, Netherlands
May 2023
Manchester Aerial & Acrobatics Convention
Manchester, UK
April - May 2023
Flying Fantastic
London, UK
April 2023
Commonwealth Circus
Boston, USA
April 2023
Esh Circus Arts
Boston, USA
April 2023
Gravity Aerial Arts
Denver, USA
March 2023
Peak Aerial Fitness
Kelowna, Canada
December 2022
Sometimes Aerial & Pole
Oslo, Norway
September 2022
Aerial Silks Vienna
Vienna, Austria
June 2022
Little European Acrobatics Program (LEAP)
Prague, Czechia
May 2022
Manchester Aerial & Acrobatics Convention
Manchester, UK
May 2022
Graystone Sports Academy
Manchester, UK
May 2022
Cloud Aerial Arts
Manchester, UK
May 2022
Aloft Circus Arts
Chicago, USA
April 2022
In the Dark Circus Arts
Baltimore, USA
March 2022
Flip Factory
Calgary, Canada
March 2022
Loca Studios
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
January 2022
London Dance Academy
London, UK
December 2021
National Center for Circus Arts (NCCA)
London, UK
November - December 2021
Graystone Sports Academy
Manchester, UK
November 2021
Dubai Acro
Dubai, UAE
November 2021
Brava Studio
Doha, Qatar
October 2021
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Winter Enrichment Program
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
January 2021
Aerial Arts Jeddah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
February 2020
Calisthenics Park
Dubai, UAE
December 2019
F45 Fitness
Doha, Qatar
December 2019
Feather Aerial Studio
Kuwait City, Kuwait
November 2019
Brava Studio
Doha, Qatar
October 2019
Seychelles International School
Praslin, Seychelles
September 2019
Aerial Arts Jeddah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
September 2019
Canadian Acro Intensive
Vancouver, Canada
August 2019
Westcoast Flying Trapeze
Vancouver, Canada
August 2019
Whistler Gymnastics Treeline Aerial
Whistler, Canada
August 2019
Okanagan Gymnastics
Kelowna, Canada
July - August 2019
Dutch Acrobatics Preconvention
Beuningen, Netherlands
June 2019
Aerial Arts Jeddah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
May 2019
Manchester Aerial & Acrobatics Convention
Manchester, UK
May 2019
The Circus House
Manchester, UK
May 2019
National Center for Circus Arts (NCCA)
London, UK
May 2019
Aerial Life Studio
London, UK
May 2019
Karama Yoga
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
April 2019
San Francisco Circus Center
San Francisco, USA
April 2019
San Diego Circus Center
San Diego, USA
April 2019
Womack and Bowman: The Loft
Los Angeles, USA
April 2019
Aerial Physique
Los Angeles, USA
April 2019
Kinetic Theory
Los Angeles, USA
April 2019
The Aerial House
Los Angeles, USA
April 2019
Inspire Studio
Asheville, USA
April 2019
Empyrean Arts
Asheville, USA
April 2019
Pitch Catch Circus
Asheville, USA
March - April 2019
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Saudi Leadership Program
(In collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley)
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
March 2019
Hercinia Arts Collective
Toronto, Canada
March 2019
Cirque du Soleil Headquarters
Montreal, Canada
February 2019
Ecole Nationale du Cirque
Montreal, Canada
February 2019
Trapeze Le Voltigeur (Victor's Studio)
Montreal, Canada
February 2019
Cirque Verdun
Montreal, Canada
February 2019
Karama Yoga
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
January - February 2019
Aerial Arts Jeddah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
January 2019
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Winter Enrichment Program
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
January 2019
Delhi Rock Aerial
Delhi, India
March 2018
Lake Country School of Dance
Lake Country, Canada
February - March 2018
Okanagan Pole Dance
Kelowna, Canada
February - March 2018
Okanagan Gymnastics
Kelowna, Canada
February - March 2018
Ox Fitness Lab
Doha, Qatar
October 2017
National Center for Circus Arts (NCCA)
London, UK
July 2017
Aerial Life Studio
London, UK
July 2017
My Aerial Home
London, UK
July 2017
Pineapple Dance Studio
London, UK
July 2017
Secret Society of Cabaret
London, UK
July 2017
Cloud Aerial Arts
Manchester, UK
July 2017
TILT Aerial Festival
Birmingham, UK
July 2017
Rogue Play
Birmingham, UK
July 2017
StrongBox Qatar
Doha, Qatar
June 2017
Pole Fit Dubai
Dubai, UAE
June 2017
Pitch Catch Circus
Asheville, USA
April - May 2017
Empyrean Arts
Asheville, USA
April 2017
Toy Boat Circus
Asheville, USA
April 2017
Anytime Fitness
Doha, Qatar
March 2017
Milan Pole Dance Studio
Milan, Italy
March 2017
Lululemon Qatar
Doha, Qatar
February 2017
Lake Country School of Dance
Lake Country, Canada
January 2017
Okanagan Gymnastics
Kelowna, Canada
December 2016
Vancouver Circus School
Vancouver, Canada
December 2016
Circus West
Vancouver, Canada
December 2016
Steve Nash Fitness Clubs
Vancouver, Canada
December 2016
Flip Factory
Calgary, Canada
December 2016
Calgary Circus Studio
Calgary, Canada
December, 2016
North Gymnastics Center
Calgary, Canada
December 2016
Beijing International Arts School
Beijing, China
October - November 2016
Cat Dance Pole & Aerial Studio
Beijing, China
October - November 2016
Calgary Circus Studio
Calgary, Canada
October 2016
Flip Factory
Calgary, Canada
October 2016
Strut Fitness
Calgary, Canada
October 2016
Calgary Pole Junkies
Calgary, Canada
September 2016
YMCA Canada
Kelowna, Canada
September 2016
Lake Country School of Dance
Lake Country, Canada
August - September 2016
Lake Country Gymnastics
Lake Country, Canada
August - September 2016
Okanagan Gymnastics
Kelowna, Canada
August - September 2016
Unity Acro Fest
Enderby, Canada
August 2016
Studio X
Kelowna, Canada
August 2016
Yama Yoga Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
July - August 2016
Edinburgh Acro Fest
Edinburgh, Scotland
July 2016
Taking Flight
Dublin, Ireland
July 2016
Dutch Acrobatics Preconvention
Beuningen, Netherlands
May 2016
Gravity Circus Center
London, UK
January - May 2016
Gorilla Circus
London, UK
April 2016
London Acro
London, UK
April 2016
Pineapple Dance Studio
London, UK
April 2016
Cloud Aerial Arts
Manchester, UK
April 2016
London Dance Academy
London, UK
April 2016
Doha Yogathon
Doha, Qatar
November 2015
Samrya Gardens Dance Studio
Doha, Qatar
November 2015
Pole Fit Dubai
Dubai, UAE
June 2015
Acro Yoga Dubai
Dubai, UAE
June 2015
Dutch Acrobatics Convention
Rotterdam, Netherlands
May 2015
Dutch Acrobatics Preconvention
Beuningen, Netherlands
May 2015
Acro Yoga Workshop
Doha, Qatar
November 2014
Qatar Exhibition Center Circus and Flying Trapeze
Doha, Qatar
September 2014
Qatar Canadian School Fitness Workshop
Doha, Qatar
May 2013
Qatar Sports Day Fitness Workshop
Doha, Qatar
February 2013
Regular Contracted Teaching and Performing
Kula Yoga
Al Badah, Saudi Arabia
Current: 2024 to present
Acrofit Studios
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Current: 2024 to present
Safaa Golf Clubhouse
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
2023 - 2021
The Pole & Aerial House
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
2023 - 2019
Island Recreation Center
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
2023 - 2018
Harbor Dance Studio
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
2020 - 2018
Bounce Fitness Qatar
Doha, Qatar
2018 - 2017
Yama Yoga Studios
Doha, Qatar
2018 - 2017
Ritz Carlton Sharq Six Senses Spa
Doha, Qatar
2018 - 2017
Niya Yoga
Doha, Qatar
2018 - 2017
Acrobatics Middle East
Doha, Qatar
2018 - 2014
StrongBox Qatar
Doha, Qatar
2018 - 2014
Yama Yoga Studios
Doha, Qatar
2015 - 2014
Ritz Carlton Sharq Six Senses Spa
Doha, Qatar
2015 - 2014
Doha Dancers, Artistic Director
Doha, Qatar
2015 - 2013
B/Attitude Dance Studio
Doha, Qatar
2014 - 2013
University of Calgary in Qatar
Doha, Qatar
2013
Cadence Fitness
Victoria, Canada
2012 - 2010
Vikes Recreation
Victoria, Canada
2012 - 2008
Victoria Contemporary Dance Company
Victoria, Canada
2010 - 2009
UVic Dance Company
Victoria, Canada
2010 - 2007
Whistler Gymnastics
Whistler, Canada
2007 - 2006
All Canadian Flying Trapeze
Whistler, Canada
2006 - 2004
Bungy Trampoline Zone
Whistler, Canada
2003
Training
Prof Training
Professional & Formal Training
Partner Acrobatics Training
Little European Acrobatics Program (LEAP)
Prague, Czechia
May 2025
Professional Hairhanging Training
Sweet Retreats
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
May 2024
Partner Acrobatics Training
Little European Acrobatics Program (LEAP)
Prague, Czechia
May 2022
Partner Acrobatics Training
Pitch Catch Circus: School of Acrobatics
Asheville, USA
March - April 2019
Partner Acrobatics Training
Pitch Catch Circus: School of Acrobatics
Asheville, USA
April - May 2017
Professional Circus Residency
Beijing International Arts School
Beijing, China
October - November 2016
Professional Aerial Program
Gravity Circus Centre
London, UK
January - April 2016
Aerial Dance Training
Irish Aerial Dance Festival (IADF)
Letterkenny, Ireland
June 2016
Aerial Dance Training
Irish Aerial Dance Festival (IADF)
Letterkenny, Ireland
June 2015
Competitive Dance
Soul Funktion Dance Studio
Whistler, Canada
2007 - 2006
International Competitive Cheerleading
Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts
Edmonton, Canada
2006 - 2003
Victoria Pom Dance Team
Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts
Edmonton, Canada
2006 - 2003
Competitive Dance
Lecky School of Dancing
Edmonton, Canada
2006 - 2003
Competitive Gymnastics
Storm Gymnastics
Whistler, Canada
2003 - 2001
Provincial Level Competitive Gymnastics
Whistler Gymnastics
Whistler, Canada
2003 - 1994
Competitive Dance
Whistler Dance Academy
Whistler, Canada
2003 - 1995
Other Training & Workshops
Irish Aerial Creation Center
Limerick, Ireland
March 2025
Standing Acro Workshop with Rachel Locks
Bristol, UK
March 2025
La Central del Circ
Barcelona, Spain
January - February 2025
Dutch Acrobatics Convention
Arnhem, Netherlands
May 2023
Partner Acrobatics Workshop with Niko Douwes
Dubai, UAE
November - December 2019
Speaking and Movement Workshop with Davide Marranchelli
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
October 2019
Contortion Training with Leslie Tipton
San Francisco, USA
April 2019
The Dos and Don'ts of Teaching Flexibility with Catie Briar
Online
April 2018
Yoga Workshop with Dylan Werner
Doha, Qatar
September 2017
Acro Yoga Workshop with Pascal Weiss
Doha, Qatar
February 2017
Yoga Workshop with John Scott
Doha, Qatar
November 2016
Contortion Training with Pixie Le Knot
London, UK
January - May 2016
Dutch Acrobatics Convention
Rotterdam, Netherlands
May 2015
Yoga Workshop with Michael Gannon
Doha, Qatar
November 2014
Acro Yoga Workshop with Yama Yoga
Doha, Qatar
November 2014
Yoga Intensive Retreat
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
July 2014
Acro Yoga Lunar Immersion
Bali, Indonesia
March 2014
Edge Performing Arts Center Dance Workshop
Los Angeles, USA
March 2010
Edge Performing Arts Center Dance Workshop
Los Angeles, USA
March 2008
National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Cheerleading Camp
Portland, USA
July 2005
All Canadian Flying Trapeze
Whistler, Canada
2006 - 1996
Memberships
Professional Memberships
Canadian Pole Fitness Master Trainer
Canada
Member since 2025
En Piste, National Circus Arts Alliance
Canada
Member since 2019
National Center for Circus Arts
UK
Member since 2016
Equity, Performing Arts and Entertainment Trade Union
UK
Member since 2016
Yoga Alliance
United States
Member since 2014
For performing history and information, see Performing.
For speaker, moderator, and master of ceremonies for events, workshops, and customized programming, see Events.
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