2025 APAC TRAINERS
Dan Liddiard
Handstands // partner acrobatics
Dan has always had a strong passion for developing his coordination and physical capabilities. His professional training began in 2011 in the circus Bachelor program, DOCH in Stockholm. After completing his training he went on to perform in 2 separate award winning shows: "A Simple Space" by Gravity and Other Myths and "Fauna" by Fauna Circus, touring both internationally for 4 years.
In 2016 Dan launched his online training program, Inbalance, working with hundreds of clients from around the world. Over time he refined the training structure and method to ensure all students see improvements in their training.
Dans ability to both fly and base to a high level makes his understanding of technique second to none.
Solomon Riversage
Partner acrobatics // act creation
Solomon is an internationally trained kiwi base known for the clear systems and structures he develops for acrobatic practice and tuition.
Since returning to the southern hemisphere in early 2022, he has had a blast travelling around Australia sharing knowledge and skills.
He will continue to do the same at APAC - just watch out for his rather impassioned rants and rambles about some obscure technical detail or another.
Keaton Hentoff-Killian
Partner acrobatics
Aspiring Ceramicist, Scrapbooker Extraordinaire, and slightly above-average baker.
Can do birthday parties for the right price.
Thanks to my family for forcing me into running away and joining the circus. You can find me online @KeatonHK or dining on cheese and wine with the wildlife.
Also I enjoy acrobatics
Jared Rondeau and Chloe Duke
Cheer and Stunting
Jared and Chloe are a cheerleading pair who have years of stunting and cheerleading experience.
Jared originally hails from Canada but moved to Australia 10 years ago to teach cheer and gymnastics. He has a huge number of championships wins, records and gold medals under his belt including gold in the 2022 Partner Stunt National Championships and the 2023 award for Gymnastic and Cheer Coach. He continues to coach, and cheer at Multiple clubs around the country.
With 11 seasons of cheerleading experience, Chloe has built an extraordinary career, earning 8 national championships, 5 national grand championships, and a 4th place finish at the Cheerleading World Championships. Originally from Sydney, she relocated to Melbourne three years ago to join one of Australia’s most well-known and decorated coed teams. A passionate athlete, Chloe has a deep love for partner stunting, constantly pushing the limits of what’s possible in the sport. She’s committed to sharing her knowledge and experience, helping others elevate their skills and fostering a greater love for cheerleading.
Simone and Bianca
L-Basing Flow
Bianca & Sim are from Melbourne and have been training & teaching together for over 10yrs. L-Base acro is their flow state! They are a bit obsessed with fancy footwork, awkward (but seemingly effortless!) cross steps and smooth flowing transitions. As trainers they love helping people spin and whip around, always looking for interesting new connections between moves. When they're not awkwardly balancing on the outer edge of a foot, or breaking down a flow into tiny parts to reassemble anew, you can usually find - Bianca up a mountain somewhere with her bike, - Sim running around a hospital in a pair of scrubs
Tori Mclarty
Partner acro // apac org team
Meet Tori, the dynamic acrobat, educator, and event organiser, whose enchanting spirit adds a touch of magic to every endeavour. Over the past decade, Tori has passionately hosted and coached at events worldwide, amassing a treasure trove of wisdom in disciplines like partner acrobatics and the art of human connection.
Her teaching style, marked by inclusivity and meticulous attention to detail, beckons students into her world. Tori’s approach is an embodiment of generosity and support, as she intuitively guides and inspires her students, all while infusing an abundance of joy into every lesson.
Chris Carlos
APAC Founder // partner acrobatics
When Chris isn’t growing abs on his face, you can usually find him watching UFC, eating chicken and rice or complaining that his back, neck and shoulder are hurting. Chris sometimes teaches at APAC, but he mostly micro manages other trainers and hangs around at the lunge lines coaching sick tricks. Chris started APAC in 2014 and has a passion for connecting people in the acro community and sharing his love and knowledge of partner acrobatics.
Ellie Grow
Partner acrobatics // Handstands
Ellie trained in both gymnastics and sports acrobatics before falling in love with circus and moving to China to train at Beijing International Arts School.
Passionate about the possibilities of art and creating, Ellie brings together technical training in hand balance, aerials, and acrobatics, with a passion for exploring new ways of inspiring and connecting with students, audiences, and other artists.
Olli Simila
l basing flow, whips and pops
Olli was introduced to acro yoga in his hometown Oulu, Finland in 2019 at the local circus school. The new hobby became a passion and that passion grew into a completely new lifestyle.
He has spent the past 2 years as a homeless acro-nomad traveling from one convention to another. Olli enjoys creating L-base flows that combine different elements like hand-to-hand, whips and icarians.
Julian Wong
movement floorwork
Julian Wong is a dancer, musician and Feldenkrais practitioner based in the Blue Mountains.
His passion is helping artists develop more holistic self/group awareness and somatic practice.
He has a playful and meditative approach to teaching, aimed at all levels.
Vi
partner acrobatics
Vi is a playful, adventure loving circus artist drawn to quirky, inquisitive work. She grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland competing in Artistic Gymnastics for most of her childhood.
But eventually, when her love for competing faded, she decided she would one day become a professional circus performer. So, at 18 she made the move to Melbourne to study at the National Institute of Circus Arts and immediately fell in love with circus.
During her study she specialised in partner acrobatics, group acrobatics and corde lisse. Now, in her mid-twenties, she has a bachelor of circus arts and a myriad of experience in the industry including two years with Circa contemporary circus. Vi finds circus to be an incredibly inspiring industry and intends to move forward in her career with passion, determination and excitement.
When not doing circus, you will likely find Vi by the ocean, with her dog or doing some variation of arts and crafts.
Astri
thai massage // l-basing
I grew up in Bali, Indonesia, with a deep passion and curiosity for understanding the body through various forms of movement. My curiosity led me to explore many different practices, and my background in Balinese dance opened the door for me to dive deeper into yoga. Yoga has given me a profound sense of self-connection and serves as a grounding practice.
Through yoga, I discovered acroyoga and partner acrobatics, which introduced me to new ways of connecting, building community, and having fun. Thai massage beautifully ties all these practices together, offering a holistic approach to movement and healing. I love sharing what I do and continue to learn from each person I meet along the way, keeping curiosity at the heart of my journey.
Mila Kaivayla
yoga
Mila is a practicing physiotherapist as well as a high level handbalancer.
Starting her journey in the yoga world 15 years ago, Mila started training handstands and found a her obsession. Having both a practical and studied knowledge of anatomy has helped her practice immensely.
Mila has a passion for helping circus enthusiasts and their bodies through both treatment and preventative measures.
Tobean (toe-beans) has been her bestie for 12 years and although he can’t hear, he can snap better than any turtle.
Lucy Tan
partner acro
Fresh off the plane from Canada, Lucy is back on home turf and can't wait to share the fruits of their labour from 18 months training and performing in Montreal and Quebec city. Born and raised in the hipster central of Fitzroy, Naarm/Melbourne, Lucy is a circus carnie from birth, tagging along to their mum's flying trapeze classes at Circus Oz from the age of three. Now Lucy's interests lie in everything hand to hand and group acro, with a special interest in 3 highs (and 4highs) and basing other bases that are bigger than her.
Outside of circus Lucy enjoys lifting heavy things and posting thirst traps on instagram
Tommy Matthewman and Flick
partner acrobatics
Tommy Matthewman (Adelaide SA) and Felicia Lannan (Albury NSW) both grew up training in Australian Youth Circus. Felicia is a founding member and Director of Wildhouse Circus, who with, they both tour and perform.
Both also perform with other esteemed Australian companies such as GOM, Highwire Entertainment and Circus Trick Tease.
The most back handsprings Flick has done in a row, onstage, is 50.
Tommy never skips leg day and is most proud of his thighs.