Latest News:
Tanya just wrapped up her contract performing aeial silks in the show Quidam by Cirque du Soleil. Click here for some press reviews!
"Quite possibly one of my favorite acts of the night, Tanya Burka delivered the silk acrobatic performance [in Quidam] with beauty, grace and pure perfection. A star, Burka's strength and beauty was electrifying while dangling high in the air."
Hayley Martin, PITTSBURGH EXAMINER (Oct 13, 2011)
Tanya is available for bookings through April 2012. Click the photo for a review from Wonderbolt's Cirkzilla 2011 tour and see why Tanya's been in such hot demand!
Biography
Tanya is a professional aerialist and contemporary circus performer based out of Vancouver, BC.
A gymnast since age 9, contemporary circus proved to be a more natural outlet for Tanya's creativity and flexibility. After receiving her BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2003, Tanya turned to full-time training in the performing arts.
A 2006 graduate of Montreal's world-renowned National Circus School, she has since performed across North America and Asia for live stage and TV productions, corporate and private events, product launches, and more.
At 5' 10", Tanya brings both elegance and athleticism to every performance, and her unique presence on stage is always captivating.
Available Acts
Additional Ensemble/Roving Skills
Choreography and Instruction
Diversity in Performance
Tanya's multi-talented nature and open spirit have led to collaboration in a wide range of highly creative performance experiences as well as development of new aerial acts. Highlights include:
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Tanya Burka CV 2010.pdf
Date of Birth: 14 May 1981
Citizenship: United States
Residency: Canada
Languages: French, English
Height: 5'10" (1.78m)
Weight: 130lb (60kg)
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
The Science of Suspension
In 2008, Tanya became the cover story of the University of Oregon's award-winning student publication, Flux Magazine, with an article detailing her journey from nuclear engineer to circus professional.
Story by Kate Griesman. Photos by Ashley Baer.
Nuclear Acrobat
The University of Oregon's article was completed by a documentary, "Nuclear Acrobat," which went on to be shown on Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Documentary by Wen Lee, Rebecca Purice & Steven Wilsey.
Pendulum Aerial Arts
Pendulum Aerial Arts is Portland, Oregon's premiere aerial arts and comtemporary circus company.
Founded by visionary Suzanne Kenney, Pendulum offers recreational classes, workshops and summer camps open to both children and adults, as well as apprenticeships for teenagers and professional training for developing performance artists.
Pendulum also performs regionally with its professional and apprentice cast members, and their newest show, "High Art" will be beginning touring in the 2011-2012 season.
Pendulum Aerial Arts was my home from 2007-2008, my first long-term professional contract where I served as coach, performer, personal assistant, choreographer and assistant director on various projects.
Suzanne's company gave me so many ways to grow as a person and as a performer. I am happy to still be a contributing artist to Pendulum's choreography and artistic development. Go see them!
The Underground Circus
Peter Boulanger and Ninon Parent founded the Underground Circus in Vancouver almost a decade ago, and it remains the city's only professional performance troupe.
They've been kind enough to offer me a training home in Vancouver, and to include me in their company's work, for which I'm incredibly grateful.
The Underground Circus is known for their amazingly innovative approach to circus, with Peter creating unique sculptiural pieces integrated into their performances.
One of their most recent achievements is the creation of David, a 30-foot tall articulated marionette which lifts aerial performers into the air.
Their amazing, spacious new studio at Marine Drive and Fraser Ave is now open for drop-in training and private rental.
The Cabiri
The Cabiri are the Seattle-based performance troupe of the Annunaki Project.
Using physical theater, dance, aerial arts, fire performance, stilts, puppetry and a little fairy dust, the Cabiri perform and preserve the mythologies of cultures that have passed into antiquity.
John Murphy and Charly McCreary, the founders of the Cabiri, have taken me in as a honorary member of their clan, and invite me down to Seattle to teach and perform with them whenever I'm feeling bottled up at home.
They're super cool people and they create fascinating, story-based aerial and performing arts.
Stage Right Photo
The professional website of Annaliese Moyer, photographer extraordinaire, who is responsible for many of the photos here on my website (such as the one to the right!)
She has worked extensively with performing artists in dance, circus, and music and is an absolute privilege to know.
Kinetic Theory Circus Arts
Stephanie Abrams - mime, contortionist, and consummate performer - opened Kinetic Theory in Culver City (LA) only a few short years ago and has made an amazing space for children and adults to realize their potential.
Students are taught in a nurturing environment and given a means to explore the performance aspect of circus arts and physical theatre at every level of technical achievement. I was lucky enough to teach there for a month, instructing students in aerial, acrobatic, and stretching classes and helping with the house troupe's artistic development.
Kinetic offers fitness, circus, and theatrical classes and troupe members also perform in local venues.
Wonderbolt Circus
Wonderbolt Circus is the circus theatre of Newfoundland and Labrador. I got my N(ewfounland)-Factor up and running on the 2009 Cirkzilla and Tricksters tours of Newfoundland and Saint-Pierre.
Wonderbolt began in 1981 when it toured Newfoundland's most isolated communities, accessible only by boat, and has been growing ever since. Wonderbolt has since performed throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, across Canada and internationally.
Beni Malone, the companys artistic director, is a clown and actor with training from Ringling Bros, Barnum & Baileys' Clown College, l'Ecole Nationale du Cirque in Paris and Cirque de Soleil's original training centre in Montreal. He has pioneered touring to remote areas and is experienced in all aspects of creating and presenting live theatre.
Zoey Couture
The gorgeous costume I'm modeling on the left is a custom creation by Diana Zoe Coop, a Vancouver-based artist and designer whose costumes have been worn by international athletes for 15 years. I'm proud to be one of her latest models!
Diana's artistic sensibilities and extensive knowledge in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics combine to inspire the creation of one-of-a-kind costumes perfectly suited to performing athletes and artists.
She worked with me creating the design for this costume to fulfill a particular inspiration, and the finished product has truly exceeded all my expectations!
Diana is an internationally-qualified brevet judge for rhythmic gymnastics, and has been involved with the BC Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Federation (BCRSGF) since 1988 as a member of the board of directors and as judges chairperson.
Diana's artistry and background makes her uniquely qualified to create spectacular costumes for performing artists. Please get in touch with her if you like what you see!
