Instructors
Lauren Charnow Executive Director, Head Coach
Lauren Charnow is a born performer who grew up singing and dancing in her parent’s theater company in the United States. Lauren studied dance and gymnastics before finally finding her true love, aerial silks. Lauren has studied circus arts and dance in New York City taking classes at Broadway Dance Center, Circus Warehouse, and Steps. After attending Marymount Manhattan College in New York City to study acting she created her own circus performance troupe in upstate New York. She attended Skidmore College where she took classes in dance, theater, anatomy, kinesiology, and exercise science. She has studied circus arts at Circus Arts Institute in Atlanta, Georgia where she received certificates for aerial silks instruction and circus therapy (using circus to work with individuals with learning differences). Lauren has received certificates for Circus Yoga (a form of partner acrobatics) as well as hammock/sling instruction (Spin City). She has studied circus at NECCA in Vermont USA, and participated in the Caravan Social Circus Training Program studying in Le Plus Petit Cirque Du Monde in France, Ecole de Cirque de Bruxelles, Sorin Sirkus in Finland, and CABUWAZI in Berlin. She has dedicated the past twelve years of her life to teaching circus and exploring circus performance art. In Chicago, she performed with the Comedy Dance Collective and in Aloft Circus Arts performances. Lauren is the founder of Kría Aerial Arts which opened in 2020 and the author of the Kría Aerial Arts Absolute Beginner Essential Guide and Journal. Her goal is to make aerial silks accessible to anyone who wants to learn the amazing things they are capable of achieving
Alice Demurtas Aerial Silks Instructor
Alice Demurtas has been working as a silks instructor since 2019, honing her aerial skills under the mentoring guidance of Kria Aerial Arts founder Lauren Charnow. Since then, the duo has been collaborating on a wide variety of circus-based projects, including silks performances and clowning shows. Alice and Lauren first began their creative collaboration with Tjarnarbíó with their show Rebirth, hosted during the 2020 Reykjavík Fringe Festival. The following year, the duo joined forces again to put on the independently-produced interactive aerial silks performance ‘GAME ON,’ which premiered in Tjarnarbio.
Alice’s education approach is methodical and discipline-oriented, with classes that focus heavily on conditioning. Her focus on strength development aims at building strong anatomical foundations for aerialists, where proper form, correct muscle engagement, and adequate muscular power becomes the basis for optimal technique on the apparatus.
In addition, Demurtas has recently developed an interest in the exploration of space and movement on a vertical plane after training under a roster of international silks artists in Barcelona, where creative techniques based on the deconstruction of movement both on the floor and in the air were aimed at opening new pathways for aerial experimentations.
Nick Candy Aerial Silks Instructor
Since graduating the W.A Academy of Performing Arts in 2004, Nick Candy has worked as an actor, circus performer and puppeteer all over the world. In Iceland, he was a founding member of Sirkus Íslands, as an aerialist and clown. He has performed throughout the country in the big top and at festivals. Nick has also worked as circus director at the National theatre of Iceland in ‘Slá í Gegn’ which won the Stage award for choreography in 2019 and in 2020-22 for the childrens 'Kardemommubærinn' which performed over 100 shows. With Hringleikur circus group, Nick has been a board member teacher and performer. Recently with the ensemble show 'Allra Veðra Von' won the movement and choreography award at the Icelandic theatre awards in 2021. Nick has also toured the independent Bunraku puppet theatre show ‘Á Eigin Fótum’ at a number of festivals across Europe. In his hometown of Perth, Nick has worked as an actor for Black Swan, Deckchair theatre, Shakespeare in the Park and a host of independent productions. He is also a trained teacher and Clown Doctor.
Eyrún A Aerial Silks Instructor
Eyrún Ævarsdóttir, an Icelandic circus artist and aerial instructor, graduated from Codarts Circus Arts in Rotterdam. Since then, she has been a driving force in the Icelandic circus scene, actively contributing to its growth and development. Eyrún is a co-founder and key figure at Hringleikur Circus Company, where she leads various innovative projects. As an accomplished aerialist and acrobat, she not only creates captivating circus shows but also imparts her expertise as a teacher. Currently, Eyrún is dedicated to teaching advanced silks and directing the youth performance team, fostering the next generation of circus talent.
Justyna Micota Aerial Silks Instructor
Justyna Micota began her aerial silks journey in 2019 in the capital of Poland. She swiftly developed a strong passion for this art form. Starting dance classes at the age of 7 encompassing ballet, modern jazz, and hip hop, aerial silks was a natural progression for her. Focused on mastering techniques and maintaining resilience, Justyna admires how aerial silks blend dance, strength, balance, courage, flexibility, and curiosity. Justyna combines her knowledge and experience from dance class with aerial technique in her classes to explore sequences and drops that are full of grace and beauty.
Nora Jacob Aerial Silks Instructor
Nora Jacob originally from northern Germany, explored a wide range of martial arts before discovering her passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). In 2019, a friend introduced her to aerial flex classes, describing the experience as akin to "floating in the air." Nora's fascination with aerial arts persisted until she officially joined her first aerial silk class in 2022, igniting an immediate and lasting passion.
Shifting her focus from martial arts to aerial silks, Nora dedicated herself to mastering this art form. She believes in a comprehensive training approach, emphasizing the importance of cross-training to develop the necessary strength and flexibility for aerial performance. Nora integrates movement, flex, and strengthening classes into her routine, recognizing their crucial role not only in honing her aerial skills but also in creating effective warm-ups and conditioning programs for her students.
For Nora, aerial silks represent a captivating fusion of beauty and challenge, evoking the sensation of graceful flight through the air. Her commitment to refining her skills and sharing her passion underscores her dedication to the dynamic realm of aerial performance.
Urður Ýrr Lyra Instructor
Urður Ýrr is a mesmerizing aerial artist, showcasing her talents in hoop, trapeze, silks, acrobatics, and juggling. With a background in gymnastics and dance, she seamlessly blends grace and strength in her captivating routines. Outside the circus, she delves into the world of biostatistics. In the air, Urður Ýrr mesmerizes audiences with dynamic and intricate movements, leaving them spellbound. As a dedicated teacher, she shares her expertise in aerial arts at renowned institutions both in Iceland and abroad. Having performed with esteemed circus companies and embarked on international tours, she continues to push the boundaries of possibility, leaving an indelible mark on the world of aerial arts with her unwavering dedication, artistry, and passion.