A Brilliant Light Cast

Gaby is excited to perform once again in A Brilliant Light ! She is currently a senior at Jensen Beach High School where she is involved in many clubs and activities such as Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Ping Pong Club. She would like to thank Maria-Elena, her family, friends and peers for always supporting her artistic endeavors.

Joseph Napoli is an award-winning magician that has entertained audiences throughout South Florida.Joseph is also the owner of Joseph’s Jewelry in Stuart. 

Alexis, age 12, has been participating in circus arts for almost 6 years and has a passion for circus arts and performing. She is so happy to be a part of the Pret performance troupe this year and advancing in aerial acrobatics. Alexis also excels in piano and academics and strives to do the very best in all she attempts. Alexis also placed first in her age group this year while participating in the Aerialympics Nationals.

Molly is 16 years old and is a junior at John Carroll High School. This is currently her ninth year doing cirque, and she loves it more than anything! She wishes a big thank you to the amazing cast, and Mrs. Maria-Elena for making this all possible!

Gabby Benedetti is in 9th grade and has been doing cheer for 11 years. She has also been doing silks for 3 years, and she placed first in the Aerialympics National competition. She is very excited to be performing in A Brilliant Light for her third time.  

Celeste Cahill is 12 years old and in 7th grade. She has been studying aerial silks for almost 5 years and is thrilled to be part of Cirque Pret in her 3rd season flying with FADCA. Celeste had a great time competing and medaling in Aerialympics Regional and National Competitions this past year and is excited to be performing for you tonight on some different apparatuses!

Sarah Timperman is sixteen, and a sophomore in high school. She’s been doing aerial silks for three years and she is excited to participate in this show. She is so, so thankful for her mother who drives her everywhere and she is super thankful for Ms. Elena who is such an inspiring teacher. Thank you! Enjoy the show!

FADCA Instructor. Brent, 26, has been teaching gymnastics for 9 years and is the head coach of the competitive boys gymnastics team at Boundless Gymnastics. An accomplished gymnast and martial artist, Brent started circus arts in 2018. He recently completed an aerial straps teacher training and is excited to share some of this new knowledge with his students.

Avari Fitzpatrick began aerial silks in early 2019. She advanced from the recreatonal program into Performance Troupe within her first 6 months of study. This is Avari's second trip to the Duncan Theater to perform in A Brilliant Light. Avari's style and control puts the viewer at ease as they watch her effortlessly perform difficult sequences. 

Erin Gimbal is in the 8th grade and she has been studying cirque for about 4 years. Erin plays lacrosse, loves listening to music, swimming and hanging out with her friends. Some of her favorite circus arts are Lyra, Silks, Diabolo, and Stilt Walking.

Madison is a 7th grader at Murray Middle School. She enjoys Chorus and drama and being in Advanced Troupe. She loves how learning Aerial Silks and Aerial Metal Apparatus allows her to be creative and strong.

Ella Oster, age 15 goes to Martin County High School and just received her permit. Her hobbies include Cirque Etude, Debate, reading and watching TV. She also has two very cute dogs: Walle and Rosie and a sister, Olivia who also is in Cirque Etude.

Olivia Oster just turned 13 and her hobbies are Cirque Etude, voice lessons, piano, acting, and loves to play on the cube. She is in Cirque Etude, loves to perform Triple-Star and is inspired by Mrs. Maria-Elena. She has a sister named Ella, who is also in Cirque Etude and performs with her.

Destiny Acosta is excited to make her aerial debut in A Brilliant Light. She is currently in 7th grade at First Baptist Christian School, where she has advanced to Algebra 1 and is the top of her class. She is also involved with the Visionary School of Arts in Stuart, FL. 

Izabella is 12 years old and has been learning aerial silks since she was 7. She attends All About Achieving school. Her favorite activity is aerial silks, but she also enjoys art, playing piano, going to the beach, & spending time with family & friends. This is her first appearance in A Brilliant Light Show & she is super excited!

Ellie Hopkins is 14 years old and a student at Hidden Oaks Middle School. She has been doing aerial silks for 3 years, and is very excited to perform in the A Brilliant Light performance! Ellie enjoys the creative side of aerial silk, which is in line with her other interests, which include sewing and creating clothes, drawing, and photo shoots with friends. She would like to thank Ms. Marie-Elena for her unrelenting support and encouragement, and Brent Durham for his fabulous instruction.

Kaitlyn has participated in aerial silks for almost one year.  Her strength has helped her soar in her skills. Kaitlyn loves going to silks each week because it challenges her to be the best she can be in a sport she loves. She also excels in piano and at school.  This is the first performance for Kaitlyn in “A Brilliant Light.” 

Cassidy Oakey has studied ballet and modern dance for 10 years. Three years ago she found a new challenge in aerial silks. She now devotes several hours a week to the grateful art.

Tessa Oakey is athletic and played soccer at the club level for many years. Her next challenge was gymnastics, but watching the aerial silks class for several weeks convnced her that high-flying aerials were for her. She has been doing aerial sliks now for a year and half. 

Soleil Chang is 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. She has been training at FADCA for 3 years which helped her prepare and led her to win a first place award at West Coast Aerial Arts Competition. She loves using her strength and bravery to climb all the apparatuses possible and rock her handstand canes. She hopes to continue this as long as her body lets her!

Alyson (Aly) Marye Oates is a 16 year old sophomore at John Carroll Catholic High School. She has been in performance arts since a very young girl, but feels blessed and "at home" to be with Maria Elena and Florida Aerial Dance and Circus Arts over the last 4 years. Alyson loves the opportunities offered to her in this company to create and perform like nowhere else.

Paige Williams FADCA Assistant Instructor. Paige is 17 years old and a junior at Martin County High School. She has had the opportunity to train and grow in the Circus Arts with Ms Maria Elena for ten years. During school she is a member of National Honor Society and People for Animal Welfare. She enjoys traveling and hanging out with her friends and her two faithful dogs.

Cayenne was born in the northern VA/DC area. After moving to Stuart she completely fell in love with aerial dance. She wants nothing more than to live close to Miss Maria-Elena so she can always be at the studio practicing. She is inspired by all things aerial and loves to perform. She also enjoys spending time with her family and travelling as well. 

Avery is 8 years old and is thrilled to be in her first youth troupe holiday show. She joined FADCA in January 2021 and loves performing with the biggest smile.  When Avery is not practicing silks, she enjoys horseback riding, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends and family.

Coraline is 11. As a very young child, she was a competitive gymnast. Two years ago, she started aerial arts and is now so excited to be a part of the performance troupe.

Avery Kantroberg is 8 years old , in 3rd Grade, and has been doing silks for just 1 year! When Avery is not busy with Silks/ Circus Arts, she keeps busy with gymnastics, running club and riding her bike/scooter with her friends. Avery is looking forward to starting karate soon!

Julianne is 8 years old and has been doing aerial silks for 2 years. This is her first year in Jr. Troupe and she loves it! When she is not working on circus acts, you can find her at the barn with her pony!

Lily Hochstetter is an aerial circus artist based in Stuart, Florida in the United States. Lily came from a background in competitive gymnastics, and later found a passion for trapeze and fabric in South Florida, where she grew up. Starting in 2018, Lily moved to Vermont to train at NECCA in their ProTrack Professional Training Program. Lily uses her knowledge on skills and combines that with audience-captivating performance quality to give something beautiful to the audience.

Olivia Hamm, 14 years old, a Freshman at FBCS High School and is on the honor roll. She has been doing acrobatic and circus arts for a year, as well as 4 years in gymnastics.

Caroline, age fifteen, has loved her last 2.5 years in aerial circus arts because it makes her feel strong. She also loves the friends she had made in class. Caroline also plays inline hockey and is homeschooled.

Ayla Thieme has been performing with FADCA for the past 4 years. She enjoys performing with aerial silks, walking on stilts, and acting.

Codi has been soaring with FADCA for almost 4 years. She also represents her high school on the Dive team in the fall and as Baseball manager in the spring. She plans on studying Forensic Science next year in college.

Jasmine Caraballo is 15 years old and attends South Fork high School. She has been doing aerial skills for 2 1/2 years and has loved every minute of it. When not in the studio you can find her enjoying her other hobby’s painting and baking. She is very excited for her first appearance in the A Brilliant Light.

Noelle Hamm, 16 years old, attending FBCS high school as a junior this year and is on the honor roll. She is also has dual enrollment student at Indian River State College. She has been doing circus and acrobatic arts for a year, as well as six years of training in gymnastics and theater.

Sofia Buzatu is 16 years old and in 11th grade. She has studied Aerial skills for almost 4 years. Sofia enjoys volleyball and spending time with family and friends.

Layla Brasher started dancing at a young age and enjoys ballet, contemporary, jazz, and dance company. Her favorite class is aerial silks and she is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Brilliant Light Show.

Madison Berkery is from Jupiter, Florida is 11 years old and has been studying Aerial Silks for 3 years. She quickly advanced through the levels in Maria-Elena's classes at the Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. 

10 year old Alessandra has been training with Mrs. Maria-Elena Marso since the age of 6. She is honored to be a part of such a special performance this year.

Abby Dreyer is currently in the 7th grade.  She has been a student at Jupiter Performing Arts Academy since 2018.   Abby has taken classes in aerial silks, ballet, musical theater, and voice at the academy.  

Lily Epstein is age 10 and a member of the Jr Dance Company at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. Lily loves Aerial Silks and is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful holiday production. A sincere thank you to her teacher, Ms. Maria-Elena, for leading with contagious kindness and enthusiasm.

Isabella is in 6th grade at Independence Middle School where she is enrolled in the Pre-Business Information Technology Academy. She has been performing Jazz, Ballet and Aerial Silks for over 3 years at the Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. In addition to dance, she enjoys playing flag football. Isabella is both honored and excited to participate in A Brilliant Light!

Amelie started in aerial silks last year and quickly fell in love with it. Her tiny but mighty frame makes her a natural performer in the air. She can sometimes be found outside practicing with her silks clipped into a tree. When not defying gravity, Amelie enjoys participating in soccer and volleyball, playing the clarinet, drawing, and writing.

Charlotte is 11 years old and has been dancing at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter for 5 years. She just started her second year of learning aerial silks and absolutely loves it. When she’s not dancing she enjoys twirling flags in color guard and cooking.

Channing’s dance education began in 2018 at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. She has taken Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. Her main areas of concentration have been Aerial Silks and Ballet the last 2 years. She has enjoyed dancing at Florida School for Dance Education since this past summer (Ballet & Modern) Channing is thrilled to be a part of this amazing production!

Mia Star is a driven young lady, who excels in academics. She is an asset and influential leader in her homeschool community. She enjoys traveling, small groups at church, babysitting, shopping, clean makeup and golf cart rides!

Gabriella Pincus is 16 years old and homeschooled. She attends Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter for Dance and Aerial Silks. She has a passion and love for the Performing Arts and is honored to be included in this wonderful show!

Julia is in 8th grade at All Saints Catholic School. She has been performing Aerial Silks for 4 years at the Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. Julia’s other interests include photography, contemporary, and shopping. She is excited to be a part of this show!

Emilia Skantze is delighted to be performing in A Brilliant Light for the second time. Emilia is a sixth grader at BAK MSOA where she plays the flute.

Jessenia is delighted to have been chosen as a guest performer in A Brilliant Light. She has been a dedicated dancer for 5 years and is a dance major at Bak MSOA. She really enjoys her Aerial Silk class at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter, and hopes to learn more about the Circus Arts.

Hailee Roy has been involved in circus arts since she was 10. In those 4 years she has excelled from the first level to the highest level, Pret Troupe. Hailee is now 14 and started high school this year and when she is not in the air she rides horses at a competitive level and has been for almost 9 years.

Parker has been in aerial for the past four years. She has always enjoyed having fun and learning new things. She is looking forward to growing as a performer.

Nibras Jarrar has been doing aerial work for a little over a year now. Ever since she was a little girl she has always admired aerialists and dreamed to become one. She is so thankful that Maria-Elena helped make her dream come true.

Sammi is 15 years old and in 10th grade at Dwyer High School. She has been training with Mrs. Maria-Elena for the past 5 years and has developed a true passion for aerial circus arts. Sammi is a proud member of the Cirque Prêt Troupe at Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts, and she is excited to be part of this spectacular performance!

Kiowa Kavovit  is a life long homeschooler who has has been performing with the Cirque Pret Troupe for the last 3 years and a student of FADAC for 4 years now. Her free time is spent making jewelry & clothes, equestrian training, water sports, volunteering at a learning center with young kids and playing music. 

Cora Williams, 11 years old, is the 2020 Aerialympics Regional Champion in her age division. She likes to raise butterflies and place them around her pool. Cora also enjoys going to the beach and bodysurfing with her Mom and Dad.

Claire Boutte started dancing at the age of 3 and has loved it ever since. She trained at Palm Beach Ballet Center and Paris Ballet & Dance. She continued her dance education at The University of Arizona were she received her BFA in dance. Claire returned to South Florida and now continues her passion teaching dance.

Gabriela Hinojosa is from Bolivia and now dances at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter. She started dancing almost 5 years ago, and has achieved great artistic presence in that short time. She loves dancing and performing on stage.

Toni Wright moved to Florida from New York, where she owned a successful studio for 15 years. She is currently working at Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter and enjoys sharing her love of dance with students of all ages. Toni is very happy to be apart of this wonderful production.

Kendall has enjoyed aerial silks for almost one year. She likes the challenge of learning knew skills along with her sisters and friends. Her other hobbies include piano, playing outside and she has quite a sense of humor. Kendall is excited to perform in “A Brilliant Light” for the first time.

Vala is 7 years old and in first grade. She is youngest performer to ever qualify for FADCA's Performance Troupe. In January 2021, Vala represented the FADCA at the Aerialympic Nationals. Vala loves going to the beach and bodysurfing with Mom and getting Tacos with Dad!

While Glenna has been an aerialist with FADCA for 5+ years, she's currently pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry and hopes to apply it either in the medical field or doing research involving animals. But even while she's studying at UT, she hopes to return and visit her cirque family as often as possible.