creative collaborators

cREATIVE COLLABORATORS
Suzanne Kenney (Artistic & Executive Director) is internationally recognized as
a pioneer in the aerial arts movement in the United States. She is known for evocative duet
work, innovations in aerial choreography & aerial apparatus. The company has blossomed
due to her commitment to artistic collaboration with top artists that share her passion for
both performance and education. Ms. Kenney also heads up an international agency “Pendulum Entertainment” booking top artists working in Contemporary Circus around the
globe for special events and galas. Her work has helped pave the way to the vibrant circus
arts scene in Portland today. Before founding Pendulum, Ms. Kenney co-founded the first
aerial dance company in Portland, Aero/Betty in 1996. She has choreographed and produced 16 public performances and introduced hundreds of budding artists to the intoxicating world of aerial arts through Pendulum’s premiere education program.
Christian Fitzharris, Creative Director, Clown. Christian’s background as an
artist has brought him the experience to shape engaging stories and rich characters. Skill
impresses the mind. Story affects the heart. Christian co-created the two clown acts in
Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA” and has toured with the show for the past four years throughout North America. Over 20 years of professional experience in all venues of entertainment
performance. From stand-up comedy clubs to major motion pictures. From radio to television. From theaters to cruiseships. And from cabaret to Cirque du Soleil! Christian worked
with Pendulum on character and storyline development for High Art.
Nicole Pearson Choreographer, Aerialist (Bristol, England) has performed on the
international stage from a young age with Circus Smirkus, Circus Flora, and the Zoppe
Family Circus, among others. She was a core company member and coach with Pendulum
from 2005-2007. Nicky is currently working as a freelance artist based in the UK, featured
at such high-scale events as the 2007 Royal Variety Show and the Princess Diana Memorial concert, amongst many others solo and with her partner, James Frith. Nicole has been
integral part of Pendulum’s artistic vision choreographing signature works time and again
for the company.
creative collaborators
Tanya Burka Choreographer, Aerialist (Vancouver, Canada) a performer/coach with
Pendulum from 2007-2008, is proud to return as a contributing choreographer and artistic
consultant for High Art. A 2006 graduate of Montreal’s National Circus School, Tanya has
performed across North America and Asia as an aerialist and acrobat. Tanya has been lucky
enough to perform for some amazing companies and events across the globe, including
both Cirque du Soleil and the Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies in 2010,
and thanks Suzanne Kenney and Pendulum for helping to shape her professional career and
keep her inspired!
Alixa Sutton Flexibility & Contortion (Montreal, Canada) Alixa is a flexibility
expert, traveling all over North America giving workshops and lectures. Alixa worked for
Cirque du Soleil, creating the contortion number for KOOZA. She was the creator &
trainer for the first professional kid contortion group in the US, the Mystic Pixies. Alixa
is well known for her work with Cirque du Soleil, USA Gymnastics Federation, Ontario
Gymnastics Congress, Rhythmic National team members, US Vaulting Federation, World
Champion Sports Acro athletes, and many many individual clubs. In the winter of 2010,
Ms. Sutton worked with Pendulum company members and recreational students on flexibility and contortion skills. She contributed choreography for The Girl Before A Mirror
contortion piece.
Sasha Lazard, Vocals. Sasha is a classically trained soprano who pioneered an exciting
and unique electronica/trip-hop/world music sound by fusing classical art songs, Russian
folk tunes and opera arias with contemporary beats. She performed live in Pendulum’s On
the Fly (2003) and Crimson Cabaret (2005); and her music has been featured in all of
Pendulum’s productions since 2003. Sasha has performed for Bulgari, Mikimoto, Armani,
and Ferragamo and her music placements in films include Princess Mononoke, Modigliani,
Holy Smoke, Cowboys and Angels, and Kettle of Fish. Sasha has been featured in Billboard
Magazine, The New York Post, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Town and Country. Sasha has
performed at The Boom Boom Room, Joe’s Pub, the Whitney Museum, Carnegie Hall, The
New York Public Library, and Shea Stadium.
creative collaborators
Yael, Drums. Yael is a “DrumAddict” who earned a degree in Audio Engineering & Music
Business. She has captured the attention of many in the music world, and is passionate about
devoting time to produce music that defines the moment and creates a percussive space where
others find their own voice. After years of touring heavily across the Globe performing styles
from heavy rock to funk R&B and hip hop acts, Yael is a sought after session drummer and
Live performer in between recordings for her own music projects. She recently directed her
first documentary “The Love Project Journey” that premiered in Los Angeles to a sold out
audience at the Grammy Museum and has received 3 laurels at film festivals across the nation.
The film documents an undeniable “love” project featuring work with long time collaborators
Yury Anisonyan and Nik Chinboukas. The song “Senza Peso,” proudly featured live for the
first time in High Art, also features Sasha Lazard and Dave Eggar.
Dave Eggar, Cello. Critically acclaimed musician, Dave Eggar, has performed throughout
the world as a solo cellist and pianist. Recent engagements include gigs at Carnegie Hall, The
Lincoln Center Festival, and London’s Barbican Center. A virtuoso of many styles, Dave has
performed & recorded with artists including the Who, Evanescence, Josh Groban, Coldplay,
Renee Fleming, Dave Sanborn and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His list of awards & accomplishments includes accolades from ASCAP, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine
Dodge Foundation and the Leonard Bernstein Foundation for his work in contemporary
music. In 1997, he was awarded SONY Records “Elevated Standards” prize for his accomplishments in the field of classical music.
NIK Chinboukas, Producer, Guitarist, Sound Engineer. Nik is a highly sought after
New York-based producer with 20 years in the music industry to back him up. Before opening Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City this past year, Nik’ was a noted vocalist and
guitarist for Collision, alongside Gustavo J Virtureira on bass and Alex Kyriazis. Nik’s titles
include Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Percussion, Producer, Guitar, and Vocals. He is one of the
collaborators on “the Love Project;” and produced and performed on Dave Eggar’s 2005 album “Left of Blue”. Chinboukas’ credits include work with J.A.M. Authority, John Macaluso/
Union Radio, Alex Skolnick Trio, Chris Caffery, and Mind Capsule.
creative collaborators
David Shenton music/lyrics/arrangements/executive producer (music) David Shenton was born in Yorkshire, England in 1975. David graduated from London’s Royal College
of Music in 1997 with degrees in violin/piano performance and orchestration/arrangement. Based in New York City, David is in constant demand as a performer and teacher and
has performed at all of the top venues and with many renowned artists. Thanks to Sasha
and Dave for bringing my music to life, and to all at Pendulum for allowing me to be a part
of this wonderful project. www.ShentonMusic.com
photos by stagerightphoto.com
Nancy Magarill contributing composer, musician (New York, NY) ASCAP award
winning emerging songwriter Nancy Magarill is a one of a kind artist, producer, composer
and performer. She has several indie releases under her name, most recent is “Down Below
The Rodeo,” a collaboration with the Sirius String Quartet comprised of Dave Eggar,
Gregor Huebner, Ron Lawrence and Lucia Micarelli. She is in her 6th year as the “resident
composer” for NYU Tisch School of the Art’s classical studio) and has produced, contributed vocals, collaborated and composed scores for up and coming and notable artists such
as Gabrielle Lansner, i-Danse, Yung-Li Dance, Tarina, Joey Tait, and the band Bookshop &
Gallery. She is also currently scoring projects with Daniel Mintseris for MMmusicLAB, a
new all-purpose music house the two started last year. She is looking forward to future collaborations with the Pendulum Aerial Arts crew.
production & Design
Lighting Design, Sada West
Makeup Design, Wendy Rover
Costume Design, Sandra Zodnik
Set Design, Rod Langdahl, Luis Torres
Photography, Annaliese Moyer, stagerightphoto.com
Illustration, Lee Moyer
Graphic Design & Marketing, Lena Munday
Add’l Costumes, Suzanne Kenney, Luis Torres
Add’l Makeup Design, John Ellingson
Other acknowledgements
PENDULUM AERIAL ARTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Suzanne Lassen (President)
Suzanne Kenney (Executive Director)
Marsha Parmer-Oleson (Secretary)
Glynis Jones (Treasurer)
Anthony Burrell (Board Member)
Dallin Pennington (Board Member)
SEASON SPONSORS
photos by stagerightphoto.com
The Benson Hotel
French American International School
The Oregonian
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
PROGRAM SUPPORT & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Oregon Arts Commission
Regional Arts and Culture Council
Wells Fargo
Wolokahn Foundation
Google Grants
Spirit Mountain Community Fund
National Charity League
To learn more about the company, visit www.pendulumaerialarts.org