Aerial Summer Camp 2026 Trainers
jao carminati
Jao is the head aerial instructor at The Pole Room Highett, training across all apparatus and specialising in lyra, pole, and fly pole.
Coming from a background of over 15 years in competitive dance, as an aerialist and instructor Jao focusses on blending the flow and strength of aerials.
Her introduction as a lyra performer begun through the duo, ‘It Takes Two’, which has since taken home 5 state wins.
matthew pope
Matthew Pope is a pocket-rocket powerhouse, circus and burlesque performer, bringing cheeked up chaos to any stage.
Reigning from Perth, WA, he blends high octane athleticism with sultry and alluring movement, pushing the boundaries between masculine and feminine, beauty and grotesque.
Specialising in Aerial Silks, Rope and Dance Trapeze, Matthew has toured across the world with Bernie Dieter, Ruben Kaye, Briefs Factory and more!
"A performer and creator of true multi-medium and physical scope, is evocative, sensual and similarly, jarring".
Hanne Grant
Hanne Grant, or Hannie Helsden as she is known on stages across the world, is a hula hoop performer and aerial hoop instructor with over a decade of experience.
Joining Pole and Aerial Divas in 2013 in the final year of her Bachelor of Circus Arts from NICA, Hanne has been teaching Lyra to hundreds of passionate enthusiasts from beginner to advanced levels.
Hanne has been instrumental over the years in the development of the Lyra syllabus at Divas, and more recently co-developed and delivered the first Aerial Divas Ed Lyra instructor training course aiming to empower a new generation of Lyra instructors with an emphasis on safety and technique.
After touring globally for years with award winning drag pop cabaret YUMMY as a sequinned stiletto wearing hula hooper, Hanne is now a fully fledged toddler mum of a second generation circus star who just learnt to forward roll.
Keith Bearne
Keith has been breakdancing for the past 24 years, performing for Snoop Dogg, The Black Eyed Peas, and Big Daddy Kane. He has also competed at World Championships in both Japan and France.
His true passion however is teaching and he has spent countless hours learning how to be a better coach not only for breaking but also tumbling and hand balancing. Over the last few years Keith has turned his eye towards aerial straps applying the principles he’s developed to create a dynamic and unique style
james regan
James works as a physiotherapist at Flexed Physiotherapy Malvern, in Melbourne's Southeast. He graduated from the University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Physiotherapy program in 2023, which he built a strong foundation in hands-on care as a remedial massage therapist.
His evidence-based approach combines exercise prescription, manual therapy, and patient education, all tailored to support recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Outside the clinic, James is deeply rooted in the circus community. Introduced to acrobatics over 15 years ago, he now trains, teaches, and performs partner and group acro in his spare time. With his unique blend of professional expertise and personal passion, he particularly enjoys helping circus artists overcome injuries and unlock their full performance potential.