Contortionist Samantha

```html

Initially captivated by the physically demanding dance style of Capoeira at the age of 19, Samantha didn’t start exploring the art of contortion until she was 22 - relatively late compared to most!

Undeterred by this, she quickly found she had a natural gift for flexibility and traveled to China to train with the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe for a year from 2007-2008.

Enchanted by their devotion to their craft and mastery over their bodies, Samantha went on to perform with Vancouver’s Underground Circus at the 2010 Winter Games and the Vancouver Art Gallery, as well as independently in variety shows, cabarets, and nightclubs.

In 2010, she relocated to San Francisco to train in contortion, hand balancing, and foot juggling with the world-renowned Mongolian contortionist Serchmaa Byamba at the San Francisco Circus Center. Just four years later, in 2014, Samantha produced her own circus cabaret show, featuring 18 artists and musicians, which sold out in less than a week!

Today, Samantha is a fully qualified contortion teacher as well as an exceptional performer. Her diverse background and late start in contortion have enriched her techniques and approaches, using contortion as a tool for fitness, entertainment, art, and health.