Rowan McCarthy

Creative Arts Award

Age:

18

Biography

Hi, I'm Rowan - currently in my last year of a Performing Arts and Contemporary Circus BTEC course. There are not many opportunities in the UK to gain qualifications within circus so I have to travel to Circomedia in Bristol to train each week.

Circus is a fantastic discipline to push yourself physically and mentally. Ever since my first aerial class when I was twelve, I've fallen in love with circus. I started with aerial silks, then aerial hoop and now also specialise in hula hoops. I have basic skills in things like juggling also.

When I was selected for the BTEC course I set up my own small business – Rococo Circus to help cover the costs of travel, accommodation in Bristol in the week and costumes etc. Through this I have ran circus parties, provided circus workshops at family fun days, taught classes and performed at local events for things like the recent Jubilee. I love passing on my skills to others and hope to continue to do this as I learn more and my own abilities progress.

My aim is to become a circus performer, either with circus companies or on cruises etc. after I've completed my course. I would also like to gain my teaching qualification in aerial skills so I can teach people both on the ground and in the air.

The JHMT Inspire grant will help me to continue with travelling to circus school and help me to achieve my goal of becoming a well-established circus artist.