Biography

Cirque de la Symphonie brings the magic of cirque to the concert hall. For more than ten years, it has combined aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen with live symphonic music. Cirque de la Symphonie showcases many world record holders, gold-medal winners of international competitions, and Olympians. More than 100 orchestras worldwide have featured Cirque de la Symphonie, including the San Francisco Symphony, who first collaborated with the troupe in 2009. Alexander Streltsov founded Cirque de la Symphonie in 1998 in a special PBS production with the Cincinnati Pops. A circus veteran from Moscow, Mr. Streltsov performed with the Bolshoi Ballet, and won the gold medal at the Festival du Mondial in Paris.

Christine Van Loo is a seven-time consecutive national champion, Female Olympic Athlete of the Year, and Athlete of the Decade in acrobatic gymnastics. She was inducted into the USSA Hall of Fame and the World Acrobatics Society Gallery of Honor. Ms. Van Loo has performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Grammy and American Music Awards ceremonies, the Miss Universe pageant, and on Paul McCartney's European tour. She was a trainer and performer with NBC’s Celebrity Circus, and she choreographed the aerials for Britney Spears World Tour and the Stars on Ice US tour. Ms. Van Loo performs aerial silks, rope, lira, and trapeze with Cirque de la Symphonie.

Vitalii Buza began his gymnastic training in the Republic of Moldova and competed as an elite gymnast with the Russian national team. At age sixteen, he joined the Moscow State Circus as a professional acrobat and toured throughout Europe. After a move to the US, he starred in productions at Sea World, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World. He has been featured in numerous TV ads and appeared in the movie Enchanted. Mr. Buza also performed at the 2006 Latin Grammy Awards, the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl, the 2010 Academy Awards, and the 2011 Latin Billboard Awards. He performs multiple cirque acts, such as duo hand-balancing, straps, Cyr wheel, spinning cube, Chinese pole, and the Russian bar.

The strength and balancing act Acro Duo consists of Vitaliy Prikhodko and Pavel Korshunov. Mr. Prikhodko, a native of Ukraine, graduated from Kiev State Circus College. He began his career with the National Circus of Ukraine, winning first place at the New Ukrainian Circus Festival. His acrobatic experience includes worldwide tours with Nikulin’s Moscow Circus. Mr. Korshunov, a native of Voronezh, Russia, is a three-time national champion of Russia, two-time World Champion and two-time Champion of the World Cup in acrobatic sport. A veteran with Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai, Mr. Korshunov is a multi-talented performer on straps, Russian swing, trampoline, and acrobatics.

Vladimir Tsarkov, Jr. comes from a famous circus family rich in the traditions of Russian circus artistry. Trained by masters in the circus arts, his “mystery guest” juggling act is a fascinating blend of illusion and juggling skills. He has performed in major productions spanning from Las Vegas to Korea. Mr. Tsarkov enchanted audiences at Busch Gardens’ cirque shows and his performing range includes various juggling acts, spinning shapes, mystery guest, and diablos.

Alexandra “Sasha” Pivaral was born in New York City in 1994 to traveling acrobat parents. She began her training at age seven and has since performed and headlined countless productions around the world, including Cirque du Soleil. She has won prestigious awards for competing in top international circus shows such as the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival in Monaco. Ms. Pivaral is a noted specialist in her field of contortion, balancing, and hula hoops.