About Me
Hi! my name is Philippa Du Frayer, but you can call me Pippa.
I am a professional, multi-disciplinary Performing Artist and Aerial Coach currently living and working in Hong Kong. I have performed and coached Aerial Arts internationally and locally for around 16 years.
My main performance skills are:
-
Aerial Dance:
Dance trapeze, Silk, Hammock, Hoop, Straps, Cube, Slyng and Chandelier. -
Fire Dancing:
Fire breathing, Body Burning, Special FX and Manipulation -
Dancing:
Samba, Fusion, Bollywood.
Teaching Certificates and Awards:
- MAYI for level 1 and level 2 Yoga teacher training certificate.
- FLY Yoga Beginner and Intermediate
- Zumba teaching certificate.
- Pole Paradise International Professional Trapeze Champion
- Ecole National De Cirque Montreal Circus instructor.
- Introduction to Aerial: Nimble Arts teacher training course.
- TRX Teacher Training certificate.
- Reiki level 1
- Currently: Polestar Pilates Reformer Instructor course
History
From a young age I was a County, National and International competitive swimmer. I also competed in: County netball and cross country running and gymnastics. My main sport was swimming and I held county records and was at one point placed 7th in England.
Sports was my passion along with music and Art.
I attended a duel diploma course at Kendal Collage, Cumbria UK. I studied: Music Performance and Art Foundation.
After Graduation I moved to Leeds, and attended: Leeds Metropolitan University to study Music Technology. I graduated with a 2:1 and awarded Most Committed and Enthusiastic Person on the Course. Later on I worked as a sound engineer and Music Venue Manager in Leeds, UK called The Cockpit.
This lead me into Performing arts and Circus. I joined Green Top Circus School in Sheffield and began to learn Static Trapeze. At the same time I joined a dance group called Steel Cats. We performed every week as resident dancers at FUEL, club night in Leeds. We would venture out over the years to performing around the UK at various events. Specialising in: Fire, Dance choreography and Aerial performances.
Looking for ways to grow and develop my performance skills, I moved to Malaysia and joined Viva Circus. Here I would teach: aerial Yoga (1 year apprentership under Reiko Fly Yoga) , Yoga, Hoop, Silks, Trapeze. I would also perform all over Malaysia at various corporate events and productions including podcast interviews. While living in Malaysia, I joined a dance group called Black Hearts Dance Crew. I would perform at various corporate events, TVC productions and advertisements doing fusion dancing, Bollywood and Yoga. In Malaysia I was also working as a Model for certain brands and photographers portfolios.
Events that I have performed at would include: Reebok (TV Advert production), Adidas, Loreal and Magnum.
Certificates awarded:
- MAYI for level 1 and level 2 Yoga teacher training certificate.
- FLY Yoga Beginner and Intermediate
- Zumba teaching certificate.
In 2015 I re-loacted to Hong Kong and joined Aerial Arts Academy. Shortly after I moved, I participated in Pole Paradise international Aerial competition. I won the title of Professional Dance Trapeze Artist.
At Aerial Arts Academy I would teach full time: aerial yoga, yoga, hoop, silks, trapeze and hammock. I would also travel and teach abroad at EJC conventions in Europe.
I have been teaching and performing In Hong Kong since 2015 at such events as: BMW, Bvulgari and ICP championships.
Certificates awarded:
- Pole Paradise International Professional Trapeze Champion
- Ecole National De Cirque Montreal Circus instructor.
- Introduction to Aerial: Nimble Arts teacher training course.
- TRX Teacher Training certificate.
- Reiki Level 1
- Currently: Polestar Pilates Reformer Instructor course
Now I am a freelance instructor and performer, living in Hong Kong. I am available to travel for short contracts. I recently returned from a 3 month contract in Maldives teaching aerial arts and aqua gym to guests on a daily basis. I would also perform for themed events at The Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.
My ambition is to develop a Teacher Training course of my own for: Trapeze, Silks, Hoop and Hammock. I would also like to take my level 2 course for ENC: Circus Coach and develop an online Teaching platform. I am currently taking my Polestar Pilates Reformer course, and in the future I wish to take my PT course.
I would like to continue to spread love and awareness for Aerial Dance and Fire performances creating a safe community for all to enjoy and appreciate. I would like to spread the awarenes and benefits of aerial to all who are interested. Aerial dance came into my life and has changed it for the better. It challenges us not just physically but mentally. I suffered from mental health issues while living in the UK and aerial was the only thing that saved me. I am greatfull for this and hope that others can experience it the same way I did.