JUDGING
Artists should be able to easily perform several straight-arm, straight knee inversions in a row without beating back and forth and be competent with meathooks. Artists should have the endurance to easily perform routines of up to 5 minutes and be working on executing dynamic skills and drops with precision. Artists should have a solid 1-arm hang, and excellent execution of drops and dynamic skills, competency in open drops, and exceptional character development within their routines. Performance Costume & Make up are strongly encouraged.
Registrants must e-mail info@ElevateProAerial.com, an instagram link or performance/training video link of up to 3 minutes that demonstrates current skill level for approval. If artist is NOT approved for participation in Elevate, registration fees will be refunded, with exception of $25 screening fee.
Artists are allowed up to 4:30 for routine length.
Apparatus divisions: Fabric, Hoop, Straps, Other & Duo
Artists will have a performance area of 21â wide by 30â deep with a height of 25â. Floor is carpet bonded foam. Producers may require mats for certain acts. The theatre has an automated winching system.
2024 Competition Judges: Destiny Vinley of Celebrity Cruises casting, Nathan Soanka of Stations Casinos events, Tanya Burka, artist, Cirque Eloise and Cirque Du Soleil
Judges
Elevate Co-Sponsor/Casting
Michael Lanphear
AIDA Cruise Lines
Michael Lanphear performed his aerial straps act in international touring productions includingBritney Spearsâ Circus Tour, Soap the Show , and Cirque Ăloize. After retiring from the stage, hediscovered a passion for coaching and went on to create and coach for Cirque du Soleilâs Luzia (2016)and Crystal (2017). Most recently, Michael has served as an Acrobatic Casting Associate for AIDA
Cruises, helping expand international casting markets.What he values most in this role is bringing together multicultural acrobatic artists from around the world and seeing them thrive as a unified ensemble. Michael and the AIDA Casting Department are thrilled to be co-sponsoring, casting talent and awarding cash prizes at Elevate Pro-Aerial 2026
Casting
Kristina Ivanova-Dawson
Owner of ICA (International Casting Agency)
As a child, Kristina Ivanova-Dawsonâs family toured with a Mexican circus, where she expanded her skills in acrobatics, tumbling, hula hoops, and hand-to-hand, training under the guidance of her father who was a world champion in acro tumbling. At just ten years old, her father joined Cirque du Soleil, and by 11, Kristina signed her first professional contract with Cirque Du Soleilâs legendary show âAlegrĂaâ, performing as one of the main characters, the Nymph, as well as in tumbling.
In 2003, at age 18, Kristina transferred to âLa Noubaâ as an acrobat/tumbler in Orlando, Florida and in 2017, she relocated to Las Vegas to join âMystĂšreâ, performing teeterboard flyer, power tumbling, and bungee until the pandemic.
Following the industryâs pause, Kristina moved to Minnesota, where she began coaching Pro track and youth at Circus Juventas, inspiring the next generation of performers. In 2025, Kristina returned to the international stage at the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, performing as a supporting artist in Strongman Tulgaâs act.
Kristina is the owner of the International Casting Agency (ICA) that casts artists worldwide for a variety of shows internationally such as HODW in Macao, ALMA in Mexico, MSC Cruises and more.
Judging
Destiny Vinley
Celebrity Cruises
Back for her third year with Elevate Pro-Aerial, Destiny Vinley is an aerialist, coach and choreographer who trained in the professional programs at both the National Institute of Circus Arts (Melbourne, AU 2010) and the New England Center for Circus Arts (Brattleboro, VT 2011) with a focus in aerial performance and Chinese pole. Destiny was Program Director for inaugural year of the the Quixotic School of Performing Arts aerial program (Kansas City, MO, 2010) before joining the core staff at NECCA (2012-2014). She traveled the country assisting Elsie & Serenity Smith (Nimble Arts 2012-2016) with their teacher training programs for before joining the Aloft Circus ensemble and coaching staff (Chicago, IL 2014-2020). She was an aerial install director and trainer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (2015-2022), and most recently for Celebrity Cruises (2022-present).
Destiny was monumental in the launch of Elevate Pro Aerial, bringing together industry professionals from all over the world to scout for talent. When she isnât busy coaching and co-directing shows, Destiny lives in Colombia and attends language school to improve her Spanish.
Judging
Johnny Kim
Johnny Kim is an Artistic Director and creative leader with over a decade of experience in contemporary circus and theatrical performance. He has served as an Artistic Director for majorinternational companies including Franco Dragone and Cirque du Soleil, contributing to acclaimed productions such as TOTEM, ALEGRIA, and BAZZAR. Most recently, he was part of the re-creation and relaunch of House of Dancing Water in Macau, China, where he served as Resident Director, working closely with multidisciplinary teams and performers across a wide range of aerial and acrobatic disciplines.
With a background spanning classical piano, dance, musical theatre, and circus arts, his perspective bridges technical precision and performance artistry. Having served for the past three years as a juror for the Circus International Film Festival, he brings experience evaluating work across youth, emerging, and professional levels. In his evaluative approach, he prioritizes clarity of execution, movement quality, musicality, and presence, while valuing individuality, intention, and ensembleawareness. He approaches assessment with a focus on both excellence and development, viewing performance as a powerful vehicle for connection, storytelling, and human expression.
