Xanthia Wolland (she/her) is a nonprofit leader, circus artist, and advocate for equity in the arts. She grew up at Camp Winnarainbow, where circus was more than performance—it was a way of being rooted in creativity, collaboration, and social change. The love of flying and this philosophy led her to co-found an aerial silks school at age 16 which continues strong over a decade later.​

With 10 years of experience in nonprofits and small business development, Xanthia brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, program design, and people-centered leadership. She has worked across marketing, grant writing, coalition-building, and strategic planning.​

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Her work is guided by a belief in circus as a universal language and a tool for healing, connection, and resistance. From leading teacher trainings, providing arts education to underserved youth, and humanitarian clowning in the Amazon Basin with Patch Adams, her career reflects a deep commitment to using arts for collective liberation. In 2018, she received a grant to study DEI in circus education, exploring how to make circus more accessible for racially, culturally, and economically diverse communities. 

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​That work continues at CSAW. As Executive Director, she is honored to steward CSAW’s mission of empowering circus artists globally and building a more inclusive, accessible and representative future for the circus world.
Currently based in Oregon, Xanthia enjoys spending her free time splashing in rivers, dancing, gardening, being a doula, and traveling the world with her partner, baby, and dog.

Sierra Rhoades Nicholls (she/her) is the founder of CSAW and is stepping into this role as Acting Board President to help transition the new Board Officers into leadership. Sierra started CSAW in 2018 with the desire to help others find their way in circus. She has been blown away by all the support that the organization has received ever since. 

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Sierra has been turning herself upside-down for as long as she can remember. A lover of all things acrobatic and exhilarating, she trained as a gymnast her whole life and has fallen in love with standing on her hands. After growing up in Missoula, Montana, Sierra moved across the country to receive instruction from the Maine Circus Academy Professional Level Training Program for two years. She then went on to attend Circadium School of Contemporary Circus in Philadelphia, PA where she graduated in June 2021 with a double major in hand to hand and handstands as well as a minor in foot juggling. 

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Sierra is as passionate about training technically as she is artistically. Sierra has devoted her life to her craft. That devotion has led her to work with companies such as Circus Evo, The Tonight Show, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Le Nouveau Sud, ABCirque Productions, Cirqovations, Fred Garbo Inflatable Theatre Company and many more!

Sierra is also Co-Founder of brand new circus company Full Out Formula​.

Sierra's Artist Website

Ariel Mihic (she/her) has a passion for adventure and an insatiable curiosity to live a life less ordinary. Ariel is Chinese/White, cis, hetero, middle-aged, able-bodied, childfree, and English speaking.

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Since 2011 Ariel has been teaching handstands and partner acrobatics primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County. Acro is a practice that relies upon thoughtful communication, trust, and accountability; these values shape the way she trains and teaches. You can find info about training techniques and teaching schedule @precisionacrobatics. Ariel also shares her love for handstand drills, knitting, and French Bulldogs on her personal page @invertedlifesf

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Ariel is the founder of BACCES (BIPOC Acro Collective Care Ecosystem), an organization that aims to foster more BIPOC representation at partner acrobatic events and to cultivate more inclusive acro spaces (www.BACCES.org,  @BIPOCacro)

Ariel is also part of the YogaSlackers group of teachers, sharing the modalities of AcroYoga/Partner Acrobatics, slackline yoga, handstands, and Thai massage.

Ariel has a Doctorate in Pharmacy and certifications in the following yoga disciplines: Ashtanga Yoga, AcroYoga, YogaSlackers, Thai Massage/Thai Foot Reflexology/Pranassage.

Ariel is in charge of CSAW partnerships. Interested in being a partner and collaborating with us? Email vicepresident@csawcircus.org

Born in Haiti, Monica is a vibrant and passionate purple-haired performer. They've been dancing since the age of 6 and haven't stopped since! They specialize in aerial hoop, dance trapeze, and a variety of dance styles.

Combining their breadth of knowledge and expertise, Monica has created some truly unique and unprecedented aerial acts that combine their love of aerial arts with their treasured Haitian culture and heritage.

Some of their other recent accomplishments include performing professionally with The Crux Collective in Atlanta, competing at VIVA Fest in Las Vegas, and most recently training and performing at Aloft's JOLT Summer Intensive in Chicago! They are plant-based in Atlanta with their two cats and loving partner.

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You may recognize Monica as the Feburary 2024 CSAW Microgrant Awardee!

Shoshana Levy (they/she) is an aerialist and partner acrobat currently based in Chicago. They attended The Actors Gymnasium Professional Circus Training Program @actorsgym specializing in aerial rope. They are a ferocious tinkerer and innovator, always looking to expand the bounds of their craft.

Shoshana holds a degree in Business and Finance from the University of Richmond, and has nearly a decade of experience as a strategic consultant for financial service and governmental social service providers. They are passionate about increasing accessibility to career mentorship resources and financial literacy education.

Shoshana joins CSAW in 2024 and is excited to help break down financial barriers for artists pursuing circus arts and ensure artists have more tools at their disposal to build financial stability.

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Shoshana helps lead the charge on all sponsorships.
Want to sponsor CSAW today? Email treasurer@csawcircus.org