Collective Circus Classes
Collective Circus provides weekly classes for young artists seeking to advance their circus skills and elevate their creative and performance abilities. Each 2½-hour session offers focused training in handstands, acrobatics, tumbling and movement. The program enables young artists to refine their craft, collaborate with peers, and develop within a professional, supportive, and inspiring environment.
Collective Circus classes are led by experienced circus artists, dedicated to guiding young performers in developing their skills, creativity, and confidence.
Mia Hughes (Co-founder/Lead Trainer)
Mia Hughes (She/Her) began her circus journey as a member of Flipside Circus’ Performance Troupe in 2013. She continued to grow her passion for circus and performing throughout her years in the troupe, performing multiple times at venues including QPAC, the Judith Wright Arts Centre, Woodford Folk Festival and for the Commonwealth Games.
Once Mia was old enough to begin coaching she absolutely fell in love with it. She learnt to teach circus through Flipside’s Trainee Trainer program and has continued to teach there for 10 years. In 2024 she became coordinator of their Step Ups Performance Troupe and directed their shows which were performed at The Judith Wright Arts Centre in collaboration with Collective Circus, Brisbane Festival and at the Brisbane Circus Centre
In 2018 Mia expanded her teaching to other areas where she began to coach acrobatics at multiple dance schools around Brisbane and she continues to do this in 2026.
In 2025, Mia started her own circus classes company in collaboration with Zoe Joiner and Collective Circus, called Collective Classes. This project is designed to be a supportive and fun environment for students to gain more advanced circus and acrobatic skills and hopefully in the future be involved in performing with the Collective Circus Company.
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Zoe Joiner (Co-founder/Trainer)
Zoe Joiner (She/Her) began her artistic journey as an acrobat completing a certificate in Circus Arts at The National Institute Of Circus Arts, additionally training and performing with Aerial Angels and Circa’s Youth Ensemble. After graduating from youth circus pursuits, Zoe founded Collective Circus, a group of independent artists dedicated to connecting emerging artists to create captivating performances and supporting artists to take their next steps in the Creative industries.
Zoe has led the creation of 'Waitlisted' (2022), supported through The Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ Under Construction program presented at the National Circus Festival, Fringe Brisbane/Backbone Festival, and Woodford Folk Festival; and Stir the Pot (2024–25), developed through Flipside Circus’ Artist-in-Residency program, premiering at the Judith Wright Arts Centre with Flipside Circus, National Circus Festival with Spaghetti Circus and Adelaide Fringe Festival with SA Circus Centre/Cirkidz.
Beyond directing and performing, she shares her passion as a circus trainer at Collective Classes, Circa, Flipside Circus and Vulcana contributing to the growth of aspiring artists.
In 2023, Zoe graduated with distinction in a Bachelor of Creative Industries from The Queensland University of Technology, majoring in entertainment and minoring in digital Media management. Post-graduation, Zoe worked as a venue coordinator and program assistant at Flipside Circus.
Currently Zoe is undertaking an Emerging Producer Internship with Queensland Ballet and Metro Arts supported by Creative Australia. Zoe is focused on growing her career in arts producing to further support the sector in advocating for emerging artists, creating more opportunities for artistic growth ensuring that voices and stories are heard so they can thrive within the arts sector.
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