Monica Newsam, (Choreographer and dancer) Co-founder of NEWSAM AERIAL DANCE, was discovered at age five for her passion for movement and dance, marking the beginning of a life-long journey to define her singular artistic vision. She received her BFA at the National School of Dance and Folklore in Havana. Monica continued her exploration of international movement styles in India. She received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Indian Classical Dance at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and Yoga at the Sivananda Yoga Center of Kerala. With her 2003 Master's in Education from Lindenwood University, Monica began exploring aerial circus techniques, lending new perspectives to her artistic work. Since 2017, Monica and Graciela have been releasing books in the pioneering series Aerial Dance Curriculum for Dancers, which they use while teaching workshops and master classes. Currently, Monica teaches aerial dance at Webster University and choreographs for its dance ensembles. Throughout her extensive creative output, Monica seeks to expand global awareness of aerial dance as an exciting, expressive movement discipline.Monica Newsam, (Choreographer and dancer) Co-founder of NEWSAM AERIAL DANCE, was discovered at age five for her passion for movement and dance, marking the beginning of a life-long journey to define her singular artistic vision. She received her BFA at the National School of Dance and Folklore in Havana. Monica continued her exploration of international movement styles in India. She received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Indian Classical Dance at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and Yoga at the Sivananda Yoga Center of Kerala. With her 2003 Master's in Education from Lindenwood University, Monica began exploring aerial circus techniques, lending new perspectives to her artistic work. Since 2017, Monica and Graciela have been releasing books in the pioneering series Aerial Dance Curriculum for Dancers, which they use while teaching workshops and master classes. Currently, Monica teaches aerial dance at Webster University and choreographs for its dance ensembles. Throughout her extensive creative output, Monica seeks to expand global awareness of aerial dance as an exciting, expressive movement discipline. Graciela Newsam, (Choreographer and dancer) Co-founder of NEWSAM AERIAL DANCE, was born in Panama and started dancing at an early age. Graciela's enthusiasm for dance has inspired her to study different styles of movement such as classical ballet, contemporary dance, gymnastics, Indian classical dance, yoga, and aerial circus. Graciela began teaching dance at the University of Panama in 1998 under the guidance of renowned instructors Ginela Vasquez, Leslie Reyes, and Barbara Berger. Her interest in dance analysis brought her to Paris to study Benesh Movement Notation at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Paris where she received her Bachelor's Degree in 1997. In 2018, Graciela completed her Licence Arts du Spectacle, Danse, at l'Université Nice Sophia Antipolis.In addition, her continued association with the Panamanian dance company Gramo Danse as a teacher, performer and choreographer, has allowed Graciela to fulfill her dream of introducing children to the power of dance. She currently teaches aerial dance and acrobatics to performers of all ages at l'École de Cirque Tous en Piste in Tourrette-Levens in the South of France. In all the facets of her artistic output, Graciela seeks to expand global awareness of aerial dance as an exciting, expressive movement discipline.