Nelli Kujansivu is a Stockholm based finnish circus artist specialized in foot juggling (antipodes). This variant artist loves the combination of all sides of her field and is pursuing it by working with multiple companies and projects.
Nelli started circus at the age of 4 at a local youth circus Sorin Sirkus in Tampere, Finland. In 2016 she graduated as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Circus from the renowned University of Dance and Circus (DOCH) in Stockholm.
In addition to performing with her solos she tours regularly with shows Galapiat Cirque - Mad in Finland and Kompani Giraff - Kiseldalen.
Nelli has been performing in multiple different events and venues around the world with companies such as Cirkus Cirkör, Krystallpalast Variete, Young Stage festival, Östgötateatern and Sisus Sirkus.
Nelli is one of the founding members of contemporary circus company Sirkum Polaris and she has been named as a Culture ambassador of her home town Tampere.
Professional circus education
2013-2016 University of Dance and Circus (DOCH) - Bachelor of Fine Arts in Circus
2012 Diploma in Dance, Tampere Arts - Oriented Senior Secondary School
Artistic activity
Touring shows:
2019 -> Kiseldalen - Kompani Giraff
2018 -> Mad in Finland - Galapiat Cirque
2016 -> Kulovalkea - Sirkum Polaris, premier 5/2020
Selected shows and events:
2019 Cirkus Cirkör - Julbordsshow, Stockholm, Sweden
2018 Cirkus Cirkör - Julbordsshow, Stockholm, Sweden
2018 Östgötateatern - " De gifta på Eiffeltornet", Norrköping, Sweden
2018 Sisus Sirkus - "Mosh Split" summer tour around Europe
2018 "The Best of the Best" -TV-show, WeitMedia, Moscow, Russia
2018 IJC festival - International Gala, Gan Hashlosha, Israel
2017 Krystallpalast Varieté - "Schwerelos", Leipzig, Germany
2017 Turbo Fest - Turbo Show, Quebec, Canada
2016 Galapiat Cirque - Mad in Finland, Strasbourg & Paris, France
2016 5-3-1 Festival of new juggling, Helsinki, Finland
2016 IJA festival - Cascade of Stars, El Paso -Texas, USA
2016 Closing Acts - DOCH graduation shows, Stockhom, Sweden
2015 Circus Ruska Festival - Cabaret Club, Tampere, Finland
2015 ArtTeatro - Primadonna ja Voimamies, Kustavi, Finland
2015 Infraröd - DOCH, Stockholm, Sweden
2014 Circa festival, Circle show, Auch, France
2013 Särkänniemi, street performer, Tampere, Finland
2013 Young Stage festival, Basel, Switzerland
2010 European Youth Circus festival, Wiesbaden, Germany
2003-2012 Sorin Sirkus - Christmas shows, Tampere, Finland
Along with multiple performances in different events and venues around the world.
Educational employment
2013 -> Guest teacher in foot juggling, Sorin Sirkus, Tampere, Finland
2017 -> Substitute teacher, Cirkus Cirkör, Stockholm, Sweden
2018 Guest teacher, Valla folkhögskolan, Linköping, Sweden
2018 Substitute teacher, Cirkus Normal, Stockholm, Sweden
2016 Foot juggling workshops in Lahti Circus School and Circus Helsinki
2015 Workshops at Sirkunst - Drømmefabrikken festival, Trondheim, Norway
2010-2013 Part-time teacher, Sorin Sirkus, Tampere, Finland
Disciplines: foot juggling (all levels from beginners to professionals), basic skills in circus disciplines, body care and exercise
Languages: Finnish, English, Swedish
Format: workshops, part-time and substitute teaching