BIOGRAPHY

Amanda started her performance career on the ground with Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Ornette Coleman at Lincoln Center “?Civiliazation”, and grew into a NYC Aerialist traveling the globe performing at such unlikely events as aerial bungee along with the Turkish Pop-Star Tarkan in Baku Azerbaijan on a New Year’s eve.  She has hung from a multitude of ceilings over a career that spanned circus as well as collaboration with companies and curators, fashion designers, fine artists, and artistic directors who were looking for unique aerial performances, experiences, installations, creative direction, production, artist connection, rigging consultation, and general brainstorming.

In 2005, Amanda lost 75% of her hearing and was forced to have surgery to recover it.  Through extensive training and perseverance she gradually overcame the vertigo that followed to acquire new directional skills and equilibrium in the air.  The struggle to hear has become a part of her identity and she considers herself to be part of the hard of hearing community.

Creations include  “Circo de la Luna” – a Spanish and Latin influenced show that was accepted into the New Victory Theater Labworks 2015-16 Professional Development Program.  She served as Aerial Consultant for Ugo Rondinone Burn, Shine, Fly and was Co-Creative director and Choreographer for the film “Fundipendulous”, collaborating with clothing designer Victoria Bartlett of VPL which showcased aerial performance from man-made structures in nature; Aerial Fabric installation for Cedar Lake Dance, participation in Performa with sculptor Marianne Vitale  and  “Keigwin Cabaret” for Larry Keigwin.  Her favorite corporate and gala work: The Genius Gala at the Liberty Science Center — a cube act to honor Erno Rubik, and a crescent moon number honoring Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Buzz Aldrin – and aerial silks to accompany opera singer Denyce Graves signature aria “Habenera” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC among others.  She draws inspiration from learning about the people for whom she creates, and especially the beauty of the ceilings where she hangs.  She retired from performance in 2019.

Amanda holds a Master of Applied Cybernetics from the Australian National University and BFA from The New School for Social Research Jazz and Contemporary Music Program.

Aerial and Circus Companies Performed for include:  Acroback, Antigravity, Studio Festi, Citizen’s Band, Chelsea Bacon, Ami Goodheart, Ultra Angels – Ultra Music Festival Miami, Susanne Bartsch, Coney Island Side Show, Circus Kingdom, and Shrine Circus.

Training Certifications Present and Past: NPCP National Pilates Certification US, Pilates for Scoliosis Level I (online), Scolio-Pilates I&II (online), Unusual Wunda Chair – Blossom Leilani Crawford (Bridge Pilates), Pilates Machine & Pilates Mat (Kane Core Integration – Now Kinected Edu), Balanced Body Reformer (Pilates Reforming NY), Advanced Cadillac – Bob Liekens (Power Pilates), Sports Specific Functional Fitness and Coaching through PT – Bob Alejo, The Athletic Shoulder – Dr. Peter Duggan, TRX – Fraser Quelch, Kettlebell I and Group Training (Kettlebell Concepts)

Rigging Certifications Past: IRATA Rope Access I (Pinnacle Safety and Training), Working Safely at Heights (Pinnacle), Boom and Scissor Lift (Sunbelt Rentals)