''Michaela is an extremely skilled performer'' (Kath Gorman - Midsummer Festival Cork Curator))

About Funky Fi

You can view Michaela's CV here.

After finishing her PhD in Computer Science, Michaela decided to say good bye to the world of academia and run away with the circus instead. She has been working as a performer since 2007. In 2008 she took part in one of Ireland's first circus training courses in Cork, funded by the Arts Council. Training included aerial, acrobatics, handstands and general performance skills. Since then she has focused on Chinese pole, aerial silks, acrobatics and clowning/performance skills. Her performance background includes both street and theatre performances.

In 2015 she was selected as one of three artists for the N.E.S.T. (New Emerging Street Talent) program which is funded and supported by ISACS, SPRAOI and the Arts Council Ireland.

She works as an acrobat as part of Hakuna Matata Acrobats performing a mix of East African and contemporary partner acrobatics. Over the years she has worked for and collaborated with many other groups and companies such as Circus Factory, Fanzini Productions, Circus Passion, Clowns without Borders Ireland, Lunar Circus and many more. Since March 2013 she has been performing her solo street show 'Funky Fidelma' which is based around Chinese pole. Michaela has years of experience of teaching aerial, acrobatics and Chinese pole classes and workshops in Cork and abroad.