Circus Juventas: Staff and Board

Founders | Coaches | Staff

Dan Butler, Founder and Executive Director. Dan walked into the Big Top of Sailor Circus in Sarasota, Florida, as a 15-year-old in 1974, and trained with world-renowned flyer Faye Alexander, Willie Edelston of the Ringling Brothers Circus and Gustino Loyal of the famous Loyal-Ripenski Troupe. He was with the Florida State University Circus from 1976-1980, while majoring in marketing and finance. Dan also coaches the Swinging Trapeze, Double & French Trapezes, Teeterboard, Adagio, and Shoot Thru Ladder acts at Circus Juventas.

Elizabeth "Betty" Butler, Founder and Artistic Director. Betty began her circus training in 1972, also with Sailor Circus, working with the famous Flying Wallenda Family on the high wire. Later, she performed with Florida State University’s Flying High Circus and graduated with a degree in International Business and Italian. Betty has been the creative force behind all 11 of our Highland Fest presentations, producing, writing and directing the shows, and coordinating all aspects of the productions, from costuming to music to makeup.

Tim Carlson began his circus career with the Sailor Circus in Sarasota, Florida (1987-1997) and then toured through Japan, performing on the flying trapeze and high wire. Tim is also a Guinness World Record holder with Wallenda Family Entertainment, performing the 4-tiered, 8-person pyramid on the high wire. Tim worked as the head rigger for Walt Disney World Entertainment and as an artistic show rigger for Cirque du Soleil’s “O” show at the Bellagio.

Risa Cohen, Choreographer and silks instructor. Risa was born in Calcutta, India. She grew up in Germany, the United States, and the England where she studied dance at the Contemporary Dance School of London. After graduating from university, she moved to New York City where she spent five years performing with The Margolis Brown Company. Risa has won several awards for her choreography including the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Grant, The Minnesota State Arts Board’s Artist Initiative Grant, and was rewarded a Momentum: New Dance Works Commission. Her work has been presented numerous times at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, Choreographer's Evening at the Walker Art Center and Red Eyes’ Isolated Acts Series.

"Chimgee" (pronounced "chim-gay") "Haltarhuu, is a native of Mongolia where she attended school at the Mongolian Circus School and performed with the Mongolian State Circus. In 1991 she came to the USA to perform with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. Prior to coming to Circus Juventas in 2003, Chimgee performed with Yankee Doodle Circus in New York and taught at Circus Smirkus in Vermont. She teaches Acrobatics, Bike, Teeterboard, Handstands, Toddlers & Summer camps.

Jeff Kasper is our very own World Champion Dew Drop Juggler (1996). With his performance trio known as the Dew Drop Jugglers, Jeff is the master of the Diablo.

Pat Schoonover, Circus Juventas' unicycle coach, is a sister of St. Joseph's of Carendolet and has been a judge with the Twin Cities Unicycle Club for many years.

Sun Dehn, a native of China, Sun was a gymnast on the “Gymnastic Team of Physical School” in Kunming, China, and later performed with the elite “Flag Circus” of China. She won gold medals for Teeterboard and Ballet on Lamps in the National Acrobatic Competition of Vietnam. Prior to joining Circus Juventas in 2004, she toured with Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion show, performing as an acrobat and teeterboard flyer. She teaches Acrobatics, Bike, Teeterboard, Handstands, Toddlers & Summer camps.

Kirsten Frantzich has been acting professionally for 25 years, and thoroughly enjoys collaborating with Circus Juventas as a consultant for their theatrical productions. She received her training at the Julliard School in New York and has appeared locally and nationally on film, TV, and the stage.

Mostapha Hassouni was born in Larache, Morocco. At a very young age he began acrobatics at circus school. Then he was 22, he started performing with the Moroccan folklore Circus, and at Hotel Zena in Spain. He has traveled and performed hundreds of shows. Finally, Mostapha joined Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey's circus where he got the opportunity to perform and travel across the USA. He enjoys teaching acrobatics and sharing his love of performing with children of all ages.

Batbaatar Nyangar was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to a family of Mongolian traditional performing artists. At the age of six, he studied gymnastics and acrobatics, winning awards at Mongolian State Children's Acrobatic contests. At the age of eight, he was performing in the Mongolian Traditional Circus’ New Year’s Show. In 1975, at the age of 11, he was performing with the Children's Wing of Hope Circus in Mongolia. Bat received numerous awards including the Special Award at the International Children's Festival held in the Soviet Union in 1979. He won a full scholarship at Moscow Circus School from 1983-1987, and received a Master of Sport in several disciplines including a degree in Aerial Gymnastics.

Associate Coaches: Laura Stilluch (Germany), Rachel Butler, Marissa Dorschner, Shannon Maguire, Sam Finkelstein, Samantha Petty, and Zacc Fricke.