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. When he’s not on a trapeze Mark works in humanitarian education providing education to disconnected communities around the world.

In 2000 Mark began training in static trapeze and has since been performing with both solo and doubles aerial acts for the last 19 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 in which he is an international gold medal winner and has been training and teaching for the last 32 years.

Mark develops education systems and learning content for community learning centres and schools around the world. Initiatives include connecting communities with mobile broadband, providing education in conflict zones and programmes to increase equality in access to education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Kit 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.

Kit 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.