Hi I’m Kate. I was inspired to start circus performing at the age of seventeen, when I saw an advertisement for circus classes at my local library on the northside of Brisbane. I had no history or experience with gymnastics, dance or sports. I then took it upon myself to teach myself to hoop, which I did in my yard at home.
I started the beginners class at the Circa Training Centre in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane City. This course introduced me to a number of circus skills, including acro-balance, aerials, hula-hoops, and juggling. I took an immediate liking to the hula hoop, and bought two for myself.
Over the next couple of years, living between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, I continued my training at Circa, and also started taking classes at Vulcana Women’s Circus in New Farm, Brisbane. Besides hooping, I trained in acro-balance, aerials, stilt-walking, Chinese pole, and performance techniques. I took inspiration from watching various YouTube videos, and from my collection of Cirque Du Soleil DVDs, and also learned a lot of my skills through used these resources. My very first performance was at a talent competition at Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast, and soon after that I performed at the Caloundra Music Festival and Australia Day.
I won prize money at my first performance at a local talent competition 
My first major public performance – Caloundra Music Festival
Over my ten years as a performer, I have had the opportunity to perform at a number of major events around Queensland and interstate, including:
- Brisbane Festival
- International Bodypainting Festival
- Royal Brisbane Exhibition
- Island Vibes Festival
- Woodford Folk Festival
- Leukemia Foundation’s Shave for a Cure
- Urban Country Music Festival
- Caloundra Music Festival
- Tasmanian Circus Festival
- Guest Performances with Scrambled Legs Acrobatics Duo
- Vulcana Women’s Circus Productions
- Movie World: Fright Night & White Christmas events
I have also taught hula hooping and circus skills for a number of organisations:
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council: Youth Circus Workshops (2007-2008)
- Moreton Bay Regional Council: Youth Circus Workshops (2008-2010)
- Hoopy Happenings (Sydney): Hula Hoop Workshops/Performances (2010)
- Claire’s Circus School (Brisbane): Weekly Classes at Local Schools (2012)
- Pure Pole Fitness & Dance (Brisbane): Hula Hoop, Pole Fitness & Burlesque (2011-2013)
- Gerrards Performing Arts Centre (Brisbane): Termed Hula Hoop Courses (2013)
Pure Pole Fitness & Dance performance
I now live on the Gold Coast and enjoy mixing my passion for hula hooping with the beachside lifestyle!
As a teenager, circus skills training helped me to build my confidence and my co-ordination skills. I take much joy in passing on these skills to my students, and by inspiring my audience with my performances.
KarniKate 