Benny is a Kiwi Circus Instructor, Performer, Stuntman and a certified Rigger. After graduating in Art Design he decided to go on an adventure and work with the circus and that's how he found his passion. He worked in many resorts, schools and circus companies all over the world including Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, USA and Brazil. In 2015 Benny had an amazing experience performing in Mystère by Cirque du Soleil, flying with some of the world's greatest fliers and doing what he loves most.

Cel, who is originally from Brazil, found the Circus Performing Arts to be a natural extension to her Drama Degree.

They met in Mexico in 2009 and have been together ever since. In the USA Cel and Benny joined The Flying Cortes troupe with whom they worked in many circuses around the country and in Europe. Together they won the Public Choice Awards in the Netherlands at Kerstwintercircus and La Piste d'Or at the Festival International du Cirque de Massy, in France.

After 5 years and 4 Continents their desire to settle down brought them to NZ where, since 2014, they have been passing on their Circus love, experiences and inspirations to NZ audiences through teaching, performing and mentoring awesome humans.

ERIN BENNING

Static Trapeze, Silks and Hoop Instructor

Erin is an instructor, performer and qualified personal trainer who fell in love with circus in 2011 when she first came to New Zealand from Australia.

She has since performed and taught internationally, including at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, in New York and Kelly Brothers Circus here in New Zealand. Coming from a background in fitness and martial arts, Erin also has a natural love of performing and is excited to share her passion and skills with her students.

TASH TAYLOR 

Flex and Aerial Hoop Instructor

Natasha Taylor competed as a rhythmic gymnast for 12 years before deciding to pursue a Bachelor in Sport and Exercise Science. With a background in coaching dance, gymnastics and flexibility, along with her huge array of gymnastics skills and experience, she is excited to share her knowledge with everyone. After completing her degree, she decided to give circus arts a go and hasn’t looked back since!

LUIS MEIRELLES

Aerial Conditioning Instructor

Luis is a Brazilian and started his performance journey in musical theatre in São Paulo in high school. Traveling Australia after university, he fell in love with the circus arts in Byron Bay, which he started as a fitness hobby. Aotearoa has been his home for the past 7 years. A touring show by Briefs Factory, changed his perspective and lead him to become a keen and focused aerial student. Luis is a social worker, life coach, enthusiastic dancer and retired bartender that dabbles in capoeira, acting, surf, rock climbing, scuba diving and wake-boarding. He describes being part of the React team as “a dream come true” and he can’t wait to help students on their own personal journey with circus.

ZAC ROSS 

Handstand Instructor

Zac Ross, also known as Izaac, is our handstand coach and the youngest member of our team. He comes with oodles of experience, having competed in artistic gymnastics for 12 years, travelling all over New Zealand, Australia and Texas. Zac worked as a gymnastics coach for four years before finding React, and brings a wealth of skills and knowledge. After a year and a half of training with us, he joined the team, performing in Eclipse, our 2019 annual company production. He’s since become our handstand coach, helping students improve handstands, and achieve them from scratch.

RANI PILLAY

Aerial Silks Instructor

Rani has always loved being in front of an audience and used every opportunity available from a young age to act, sing and dance on stage. Soon, she was searching for an added zest to life. In 2017 she found exactly that at React Studio. Starting out as a student, Rani eventually took up circus full time in the React Mentorship program. Armed with new skills Rani ventured overseas to join Club Med Thailand where she developed skills such as flying trapeze, double acts and partner acrobatics. Rani has since returned from her flying trapeze adventure joining the React team, sharing her knowledge, skills, and of course, zest.

DAISY CARTER

Aerial Silks Instructor

Daisy joined the React team in early 2019 after arriving in NZ from the UK. Specialising in Aerial Silks, Daisy has a passion for teaching and enjoys taking to the stage. One of her highlights was performing in React’s 2019 annual company production, ‘Eclipse’. She loves seeing her students hit their circus goals while having fun along the way… and always, always pointing their toes.