About

Mark is the Managing Director of Aerial Edge and has specialised for the last 20 years in education for both technical, physical and artistic disciplines. Mark has many years in education and has both worked for and provided consultancy on education solutions for many large international corporations.

In 2000 Mark began training in static trapeze and has since been performing with both solo and doubles aerial acts for the last thirteen years. Amongst other places, Mark studied at The Circus Space, London for 8 years; but also attended intensive courses at The Circus Warehouse, New York, ARCAA, Sydney, The Circus Centre, San Francisco and Circocan in Brazil. He has been teaching aerial disciplines since 2007.

Mark has an extensive background in Chinese Martial Arts and Tai Chi; he is an international gold medal winner and has been training and teaching for the last 28 years.

Mark is also the Head of eLearning and Innovation for a large International telecommunications manufacturer and manages large scale global education projects in telecommunications technology. One of his key responsibilities has been to create education curricula and to roll-out certification programmes across international telecommunication organisations. He now builds and runs virtual teams providing global education solutions and education applications

Mark has used his education management skills in areas other than telecommunications including one of the UK’s largest Tai Chi and Martial Arts organisations and being a previous Chairman of the UK Tai Chi Association.

Teaching teachers and creating quality education systems in one form or another has been Mark’s responsibility for the last 20 years. Mark is the Managing Director of Aerial Edge and the Chairman of the Edinburgh Aerial and Acrobatic Convention.

Aerial Edge is delighted to welcome Rachel Aisling Smith as its new Director of Strategy!

Rachel comes to us with a wealth of experience across several art forms, covering artistic direction, creation and performance, project and company management, organisational development, formal education and creative learning.

Rachel will collaborate with Managing Director, Mark Gibson and the whole Aerial Edge team to lead on the strategic and artistic development of the organisation, which encompasses professional performance, full-time training, recreational classes and performance opportunities for all ages, and community outreach and inclusion initiatives.

“I’m really looking forward to working with everybody on creating the long term strategic plan and steering the company to achieve the goals we set for the future. There’s masses of talent here and lots of successful work going on, so I’m really happy to become part of the team and start building on that. There’s also a lovely, fun vibe around the place and I’ve been made very welcome. Looking forward to meeting many more of the big family - everyone involved - so come and say hello and ask me anything you’re curious about!” - Rachel

“I’m excited to have Rachel join our team and I’m very much looking forward to working with her. She brings with her a great deal of experience which can help us in every area of our organisation.” - Mark

Scott started his life in the circus as a child over 20 years ago in Australia after a chance meeting with the legendary Reg Bolton. Since then he has performed, rigged and coached with the biggest names in the industry including: Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, Dragone, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey. He has also taught and trained at The National Circus School in Montréal where he was apprenticed to another legend: Victor Fomine.

Scott was also a member of the famous Flying Ashtons and a founder of Fliptease.

Stewart first discovered circus while studying towards a PhD in pharmaceutical science (naturally!) and has been performing aerial acrobatics since 2012. Although experienced in many aerial and circus disciplines, Stewart’s main passions are silks and rope (corde lisse). In 2014, as part of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, he performed around the country as a member of the Commonwealth Youth Circus for the Queens Baton Relay tour. He also performs at corporate events and has appeared in film as a stilt walker. He continues to perform regularly as an aerialist at a number of cabaret venues around Glasgow including Wild Cabaret in the Merchant City.

Stewart has been a full-time aerial instructor with Aerial Edge for the past 2 years, teaching regular classes in aerial silks, hoop (lyra), static and flying trapeze, circus fitness, and youth circus. He also offers private lessons. In addition, Stewart works as Aerial Edge’s finance manager.

Out with his aerial career, Stewart also works as a massage therapist specialising in Swedish massage.

Richard runs all the Marketing and Social Media here at Aerial Edge.

Ellie has been working in the Scottish Events scene since 2014 and has now combined her work ethic and love of the performing arts to become the Events Manager for both Aerial Edge Artists and Aerial Edge Circus School - we’ve yet to get her on the Flying Trapeze though! Contact her at events@aerialedge.co.uk

Adam has just returned to Glasgow after graduating from the National Centre for Circus Arts.

He has performed throughout the UK and Europe and as a multi-disiplinary performer he is adept at many aerial and ground based arts. His one love will forever be Rope.

The Newest member to of our Aerial teching team!

Rose is a graduate of the BA degree at Circomedia where she specialised in Aerial Silks. Rose then took the Masters in Theatre for Young Audiences at Bath Spa University where she graduated in 2016. As part of her degree programmes, she has created and participated in multiple aerial shows for audiences of all ages, performed around the UK.

After Graduating Rose moved back to Scotland in 2017 and can be found teaching classes for Hijinx, Aerial Edge and Aerial Arthouse.

Rose is currently working with Starcatchers and has recently created work for the Imaginate Festival Family Fringe and the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, as well as performing as an artist at numerous family events.

Rose also directed our 2018 Spring Showcase: Circus Through The Ages.

With an extensive knowledge of acrobatics and extreme sports Sam is no stranger to flipping around and being upside down.

In addition to having his ADAPT Level 2 parkour coaching qualification Sam is also an experienced gymnastics and trampoline coach and has been teaching in the circus community for 12 years. Driven by his passion to learn he is constantly striving both to increase his own skill range and to share that knowledge with his students.

As well as coaching Sam is also passionate about performing and has been involved in a number of projects including music videos, stage shows and wide range of photo shoots.

Performance Highlights include Performing for Mercedes Benz, Glastonbury and touring with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Lauren is a graduate of the National Centre for Circus Arts, specialising in acrobalance.

Originally from a gymnastics background, Lauren created and toured acrobatic theatre with So and So Circus Theatre until 2013. She now works with companies including Circus Geeks to make and tour new circus work. Lauren has recently moved to Glasgow from London, where she taught at the National Centre and Jacksons Lane. 

Lauren has a wide knowledge of partner acrobatics, with particular interests in risley and dynamic acrobalance. 

Paul teaches the Youth Parkour Classes at Aerial Edge, with joggers as bright as his personality! He also runs his own Parkour company: West Coast Shift, a coaching organisation that has reached out to communities that have very limited outreach to them, bringing parkour workshops and local classes running consistently. Paul Lagah started up West Coast Shift as a way to give something back to the community that helped him get into the sport that he loves to train. West Coast Shift has been running for over a year and a half now, and have worked with many groups across the west coast, coaching in Dunoon, Ayrshire, Stevenson, Greenock, Glasgow, Garelochhead and even as far as Campbeltown!

Foundation Course Teacher (Ballet)

Johanna is one of our lovely receptionists here at Aerial Edge.

Jillian is one of our lovely receptionists here at Aerial Edge.

Receptionist

Receptionist

Receptionist

Charmaine has trained in static trapeze for the last 15 years and has taught for 14 of those! She first trained, and taught at Aerialize in Sydney before teaching in Glasgow and The Hangar, London. She met Mark Gibson whilst training at The Circus Space (now National Centre for Circus Arts) and they set up Aerial Edge in London in 2007 before moving the school to Glasgow where it has been based for the last 8 years. Charmaine has an encyclopedic knowledge of static trapeze techniques and is passionate about the need for a high standard of tuition in circus work, and conditioning, there’s always time for conditioning! Charmaine began veterinary nursing at the same time that she discovered trapeze. She has worked in both vocations simultaneously for the last 15 years and they both share equal importance in her life. She is currently training and teaching at Aerialize and for Suzie Q pole studio (teaching aerials) in Sydney. She is also responsible for programming all workshops and managing the teachers at EAAC.