She was born in 1992 in Argentina. Since she was a little girl, she has been oriented towards art and studied theater, dance, and circus. Always motivated to improve, she traveled to refine her skills. She trained in Argentina at the professional circus schools: ‘Circo Soq’ and ‘National University of San Martín’.
She joined the contemporary dance company IFA-CDC led by Luciano Cejas, where she participated in the creation of two shows. Passionate about movement and teaching, Rocío studied physical education at ISEF II in Argentina. She decided to specialize in Chinese pole at the Superior School of Circus Arts (ESAC) in Belgium, graduating in 2018. That same year, she participated in the Crece project in Spain and became part of the TerazNow dance company in Belgium. In 2019, she joined the circus and dance company Hurjaruuth in Finland.
She worked as a teacher at Circus Zonder Handen, Up!, the circus school in Brussels, Acapa, and L’omme. Interested in delving into anatomy and flexibility, Rocio completed the ‘Flexibility Secure’ and ‘Applied Neuroscience to Sports’ training.
Currently, she is part of the company ‘ADM’ in Belgium and the company Mauvais Coton in France.
Sandrine JeanvoineI am originally from Brittany, France, and I have been living in Brussels since 2017.
The guiding thread of my life can be summed up in acrobatics, both in its practice and in its teaching.
At a very young age, I joined the National Center for Acrobatic Sports in Rennes, France, which supported me until I became part of the national acrobatic gymnastics team from 1992 to 2000 (participating in several World and European Championships). In parallel, I obtained a university degree in physical education teaching as well as my coaching diplomas.
In 2000, I discovered the teaching of circus arts at the National School of Châtellerault, France. Acrobatic movements became not only a foundation for practicing circus equipment but also a broader means of creative expression that nourished my sensitivity to movement. I expanded my areas of expertise to include lifts, balance, trapeze-dance, and more.
Since 2017, I have been teaching intermittently at various higher education institutions such as ESAC in Belgium, CNAC in France, and ACAPA in the Netherlands.
Today, I teach at ESAC, where I explore with all my authenticity and in collaboration with students, a unique and creative technicality.
Jesse HuyghJesse has always been athletic: competing nationally in gymnastics and judo, alongside swimming and circus, leaving him little time for other hobbies.
After graduating from ESAC in 2011, where he specialized in Chinese pole, he continued to train in straps, ground acrobatics, and partner acrobatics throughout his career as an acrobat. As an artist, he has worked for various prestigious companies worldwide, such as Cirque Eloize, NoFitState Circus, and Casus. Since 2016, he has been one of the founding members of the Collective Sous le Manteau, whose first show, “MONSTRO,” premiered in January 2019. Following health complications in the summer of 2020, Jesse was replaced in this show, allowing him to embark on a new creation: “À 2 Mètres,” supported by ADM vzw (Premiere in May 2021).
In parallel with this artistic career, since 2011, he has also developed pedagogical work. Jesse has been involved in professional training since 2011, not only at institutions such as ESAC (Brussels), Académie Fratellini (Paris), Codarts (Rotterdam), ACaPA (Tilburg), ECB (Bordeaux), but also through numerous masterclasses and workshops worldwide. In 2021, Jesse joined the teaching staff at ESAC.
Dolores CalviA circus and theater artist, she trained in South American and Catalan circus as a trapeze artist before specializing in Chinese pole at the Centre des Arts du Cirque in Lomme, under Monsieur Tian. She completed professional training at Le Lido in Toulouse as a circus actress, while simultaneously earning a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in performing arts from the Jean Jaurès University in Toulouse.
She has worked on various circus, dance, and theater projects with companies such as Cie Angela Laurier, Cie Cahin Caha, Aurélien Bory, Théâtre du Capitole, Opéra de Tours, Opéra de Lille, Cie Timshel, Cie Singulière, Cie Oncore, Cie Delirium Lumens, among others.
She teaches Chinese pole workshops and technical and artistic research laboratories for all circus disciplines. She has conducted workshops in Italy, Argentina, Belgium, France, Spain, Brazil, as well as in various circus schools such as ESACTO Lido, Bordeaux Circus School, and ESAC.
She also works as an outside eye and assistant director for various circus, dance, and theater projects. Currently, she is pursuing studies in osteopathy.
Koen WalravensKoen Walravens, a graduate in sports physiotherapy with 20 years of experience. He has been working at ESAC since 2019 and previously spent 11 years with the professional football team of Anderlecht. He is responsible for the medical follow-up of students and provides physical preparation. He also teaches anatomy to first and second-year students.
Sophia RodriguezSophia Rodríguez is a Venezuelan actress, dancer, circus artist, and playwright. In 2000, she earned her bachelor’s degree in physical theater from the educational program of the National Theater of Venezuela. In 2003, she studied tightrope walking intensively for a year at the National Circus School of Cuba. In 2008, she received her degree in dance from the Experimental University of the Arts in Venezuela. In 2011, she won the award for Best Actress at the Sétkani Festival for her work developed during her master’s studies at the Scuola Teatro Dimitri. In 2013, she was awarded the DanceWEB scholarship as part of the Impulstanz Festival in Vienna. In 2014, she completed her master’s degree in physical theater at the Scuola Teatro Dimitri.
Since 2003, she has been the author of several performances in collaboration with many artists such as Ivo Dimchev and Micha Goldberg. In 2012, Micha Goldberg and Sophia Rodriguez began collaborating and together created their first project, “The Primal Money Scream,” presented at Volksroom, CAMPO, Gezeralle, and TAZ2014. Their second piece in 2014, “The Garden Laboratorium,” was produced by CAMPO and presented at the festival Something Raw and Possible (Im)possible Future, and their third edition in 2015, “You and Me How Hot Can It Be,” a project produced by De Theater-fabricant, was presented in a shop on Gheude Street in Anderlecht and at Theater Monty.
In 2017, she participated in the Kunstenfestivaldesarts by performing in the piece “Autoctonos,” created in collaboration with and directed by Ayelen Parolin. In 2018, she embarked on a two-year world tour with the play “(B)” by Koen Augustijnen. In 2019, she created a new solo piece, “My Nature,” in collaboration with Marijs, performed at the Syndikat Festival and the Tictac Art Center. In 2018, she met Julia Reist (ARP), and since then, they have developed a research project together called “Ostentation.” In 2019, she received support from Kunstenweerkplaats and the Flemish Cultural Commission to continue the research on Ostentation. The premiere of Ostentation took place in 2020 at the Batârd Festival, CAMPO Entrance, and III Sindikat 2020, a festival where she was selected as part of the 8 tension Impulstanz program in Vienna (canceled due to Covid19), and she was invited to participate in the NEXT 2020 festival. She is currently a professor of dramaturgy at ESAC (FWB).
Sara LemaireJulien RosembergDirector of HorsLesMurs – National Resource Center for Street Arts and Circus Arts in France. He conducts research in contemporary cultural history in connection with the Center for Social History of the 20th Century (Panthéon-Sorbonne University), focusing on cultural policies, cultural history of live performance, and critical analysis of shows. As the editor-in-chief of the Stradda magazine, he regularly collaborates with several cultural and artistic journals. He also teaches Circus History and Critical Analysis of Performances at the National School of Circus Arts in Rosny-sous-Bois and at ESAC since 2009.
Virginie DevillersVirginie Devillers (born 1967) holds a degree in Art History from ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) since 1991, with a focus on Contemporary Arts. She was a longtime editor of the university’s magazine (Revue Ah!), which she co-hosted with philosopher Jacques Sojcher. Currently, she is a professor of Art History at ESAC (Ecole Supérieure des Arts du Cirque), teaching Aesthetic Philosophy, Contemporary Literature, and Text Analysis at ENSAV-La Cambre. Since 2013, she has also been responsible for quality coordination at ESAC.
Axel SeeuwsPassionate about trampoline since a young age, he holds a degree in physical education. For several years, he has been teaching in various schools and artistic institutions. He joined ESAC in 2006, where he teaches acrobatics and trampoline.