Circo Fest Adjudicators
Payton glagau
Payton Glagau is a Montreal based performer, choreographer, instructor, producer and adjudicator. She tells unique stories through her art work by connecting emotions and movement in diverse ways. Payton's work stands out as she trains in a variety of styles and blends different techniques to create innovative dynamics through experimentation in her choreography. Dance has been a lifelong passion for Payton who began training when she was seven in styles including jazz, tap, ballet, Irish dance, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, acrobatics, and later pointe. As an adult she was introduced to circus arts and began training in and performing pole, aerial hoop, hammock, and silks. Payton has been performing professionally for the past 12 years, starting her career in Calgary. In that time has shared her work as an independent artist on many prestigious stages including The Bella Concert Hall, The Jack Singer, and The Jubilee Auditorium and after moving to Montreal Le Monastere, Bain Mathieu, and Cabaret Lion d’Or among other venues.
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Payton graduated from École Nationale de Cirque's online teacher training program in 2022 and is a certified pole and aerial instructor through Pole and Aerial Fitness Academy. In 2023 Payton started her own school, Cirque Célestial which offers classes in circus and dance for adults. These classes focus on building a sense of community, strong technical foundations, and performance skills. Payton’s competitive students from this school have competed at the National level with two of her students being national champions in 2023.
Payton’s passions are telling stories through movement and sharing her artforms with others through performance and teaching as well as giving constructive feedback through adjudicating. She can’t wait to see the amazing acts competitors are bringing to Circo Fest this year!
Bri zubick
Bri Zubick began her performance career at a small competitive studio in British Columbia. Her
love of dance took her to Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and most
recently London, UK. Bri has worked with Mackenzie Martin (Geometry Dance Company),
Samm Price, and Chelsea Collins performing in pieces at various events in Los Angeles. While
in Toronto Bri performed in pieces and shows choreographed by Ashley Schoffield (Opus Dance
Collective), Hayley Paone (Prerogative Dance Collective), Kahvontay Slaughter (Unapologetic
Dance Collective), as well as Kathryn Miles. Some highlight performances for Bri have been
performing at the Rotary International Opening Ceremonies, being a part of the cast of Candy
Cane Kids the Holiday Musical and performing in the short film Her/Self. Bri has trained at
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, IDA Hollywood, and House of Jazz. These spaces inspired Bri to
always continue dancing and discovering new parts of the dance industry.
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Choreographically Bris' work has won awards at various events across Alberta and British
Columbia. Bri has won choreography awards for her Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Acro
routines.Her work has been showcased at various shows including “The Letters We Do Not
Want to Send”, hosted through the TD Arts Incubator, “WISE International Women’s Day”,
University of Toronto and “NextGen Film Festival”, Dance YYC. As an Educator Bri is incredibly
passionate about providing encouraging spaces for dancers to grow and develop as Artists and
Humans. Bri believes that dance should be a space to make mistakes and discover what truly
moves us. Along with being a competitive dance choreographer Bri has founded The SHiFT
Dance Company. The SHiFT is a pre-professional/professional dance company that provides
training and performance opportunities. The SHiFT is a space for dancers to develop versatile
dance skills and practice mindfulness. Bri continues to further her dance education through
various educational spaces. Bri continues to educate performers through adjudicating various
events across Canada.
Bryan Saunders
Bryan has trained in a variety of circus arts for 10 years and has performed at events such as Burning Man, Future Forest, and Acro Unity. He is a graduate of the Instructor in Circus Arts diploma with the École Nationale de Cirque in Montreal. Today, he trains primarily on aerial rope, silks, & straps.
