Our Team

Our instructors are passionate about teaching circus and want to share their knowledge with you!

Chrissy Hewitt

Qualified in multiple aerial disciplines and rigging safety, Chrissy is passionate about all things aerial. She attended her first trial class in London in 2014 then becoming a regular student for silks and hoop in 2015 after finding a local class.

Chrissy started teaching adults in 2021 and in 2022 set up a successful kids circus programme at a gymnastics club, where she also trained as a Gymnastics Activity Instructor and L1 Coach.

With a background in compliance, Chrissy has an in-depth understanding of health, safety and welfare and leads the team in ensuring that physical safety and wellbeing is prioritised.

Chrissy is DBS checked, first aid and fire marshal trained. She is also a trained welfare officer completing safeguarding courses with British Gymnastics and UK Coaching.

Our children’s circus lessons are led by Chrissy and she also teaches adults beginners aerial silks, as well as intermediate and intermediate/advanced aerial hoop. Chrissy is available for private lessons for sling, hoop and silks all from beginners to advanced level as well as static/dance trapeze and aerial chains up to intermediate level.

Molli Murphy

Molli is a born performer, not only excelling in aerial disciplines but also as a talented singer. With qualifications in both aerial and musical theatre, as well as experience teaching gymnastics, Molli provides a well-rounded performance education to her students.

After starting her circus instructor journey in the UK in 2022, Molli spent some time teaching circus in New York. She enjoys travelling in general but also uses it as an opportunity to further her skills and has spent time learning at a circus school in Brisbane. She has experience in specialised aerial disciplines including flying trapeze, corde lisse and spanish web.

Molli brings a wealth of experience to every class. Her keen attention to detail makes her guidance invaluable for those preparing for performance based auditions. She is also DBS checked, first aid and fire marshal trained.

Molli teaches regular beginners sling, hoop and intermediate + silks classes. She is available for private lessons in all of these disciplines as well as trapeze from beginners to advanced levels. Due to her experience, Molli is the ideal instructor for those looking to prepare show reels or audition pieces.

Frankie Varnes

Frankie is a newly qualified aerial instructor. In 2025 she qualified to teach aerial hoop and expanded this to silks and sling in early 2026. Frankie has a passion for learning and has also completed courses in; grounded aerial hoop, strength and conditioning, core strength and stability as well as anatomy and physiology,

Frankie assists with both children’s and beginners aerial classes and is available for private beginner or intermediate classes in aerial hoop, silks and sling at a discounted rate.

She has a love of all things aerial and a fantastic knowledge of several disciplines, but her speciality is aerial hoop. Frankie also has trained in mini hoop and explored the options that this new equipment holds!

Charlotte Kelly

Charlie has a passion for all things aerial. She has trained in a huge array of aerial disciplines and tried her hand at other circus equipment such as German wheel and fire performance.

Although Charlie does not currently have a regular class, she is an active part of the Essex Circus Academy team and works as a cover instructor.

Her enthusiasm cannot be matched and she brings a fantastic energy to every class. Charlie also enjoys singing and her artistic talents in performance shine through. As with our main instructors, Charlie is DBS checked and first aid trained.

Jan Dutton

With a background in KS1 and early years education, Jan has a great understanding of learning techniques and styles and will occasionally be assisting with children’s classes to cover sickness/holidays.

Before retiring from her full time role, Jan worked as the Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Assistant Principle for Foundation Stage and Y1 for many years at a local school.

She has plenty of past experience teaching PE to early years and KS1, and still works in a part time capacity teaching pre-school gymnastics.