Chantal McCormick
Chantal is a director, choreographer, aerialist, teacher, mentor, coach & Cultural Leader. Chantal trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and became interested in aerial circus after graduating. She toured with established dance and circus companies in the UK touring to Trinidad, Europe and Australia from 1999-2008. She has invested most of her professional career into building the infrastructure of aerial arts in Ireland. For 27 years she has been Creative Director & Co-Founder of Fidget Feet with husband Jym Daly. Chantal has been choreographing and directing over 30 aerial shows for indoor, outdoor & young audiences.
She was the Founder of Irish Aerial Creation Centre. For 16 years has been the Festival Director of Irish Aerial Dance Festival, now one of the largest in the world. FF is company in residence at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at The University of Limerick since 2013. Chantal has led this partnership and created & designed the aerial dance program for the BA & MA students. She was the Co-Founder Irish Street Arts, Circus & Spectacle Network & served on the board. Chantal is also a producer and as part of the growing need for circus producers, Chantal created Future Producers with Promenade (IRL) & Split Second (UK).
As part of her growth as an artist, what has fuelled her drive is her spiritual practice, Chantal is a firm believer in the power of aerial arts, and she comes from a heartfelt truth that “True Art is heals” and shares her passion and her unique practice wherever she goes.
Polina Shapkina
Polina Shapkina is a Russian-born, Irish-reared artist/director of contemporary circus. Her work spans a variety of contexts ranging from outdoor spectacle to intimate experimental theatre. Her work is driven by existentialism, psychology and is often interwoven with elements of folkloric and mythological traditions.
