About us
Arctic Ensemble is a Finnish circus collective founded by ambitious acrobats in 2018. Since then they have been touring around the world performing together and separately for over a thousand times. This internationally awarded group is known for their compelling and highly acrobatic performances. The values Arctic Ensemble wants to bring everywhere they go are; teamwork, self-sufficiency, making art approachable and most importantly the quality of our work, on AND off the stage.
Members
Ada
Ada started circus at the age of 9. Since the beginning she has loved flying in different ways; hand to hand, banquine, Korean cradle, Icarian, double trapeze and so on. As long as the discipline includes the words "air" or "fly" it's her thing.
She has done all sorts of aerial acrobatics, specialising in washington trapeze (balancing herself, on her head, on top of a trapeze that probably weighs more than she does which yes, looks freaking funny when she is carrying it around.) Give her any disclipline and she will do it... As long as it doesn't include juggling.
Anselmi
Anselmi is a circus artist born in the big city of Alavus, Finland. He has a long history of circus and sports hobbies of all sorts. Besides being a kick-ass acrobat he is also a professional carpenter. On stage he is mostly seen throwing other people (and sometimes himself) around. During his career he has done over 800 performances around the world. What interests him most about circus is the diversity and the unique contact between the performers and the audience. He is constantly coming up with new ideas and when he gets excited about something it stays on his mind 24/7. When it comes to something boring like office work it might take him a while.
Armas
Armas Lintusaari started practising circus at the age of 20 after years of trying to find his own way of artistic self expression. In circus, Armas was thrilled by its physicality, togetherness and inspiring, risk-taking artists. Armas spent his time in SaSaK trying to discover the (cyr) wheel again but afterwards he has broadened his know-how to basing in double-facing cradle, banquine and some pair acrobatics. Armas comes alive when working in a team, and being the person in the group who enjoys writing formal texts, he naturally plays the role of grant-applier in Arctic Ensemble. He likes to think of himself as a wannabe producer. When it comes to circus and arts in general Armas is omnivorous. His dream is to tour the world with his own tent and a kick-ass show, where music is live and people fly high.
Eino
Eino "Jamo" Kaisanlahti is one of the youngest members of the group, and is seen as an eternal intern. Jamo started in a youth circus in Lappeenranta when he was 10 years old. The endless disciplines and possibilities of circus attracted him and he applied to a circus school. Jamo graduated in 2020 with aerial straps and hand to hand as his specialities. In addition to circus, Jamo has a passion for food, cookies and music. So naturally he got the role as the official cook of the group.
Emmi
Emmi "Mämmi" started dancing as a child and enjoyed it for more than 10 years. Contemporary jazz, show dance and ballet carried her forward and dance became a big part of her life. Emmi discovered circus in secondary school and decided to apply to Salpaus Circus School. She graduated from the circus school in 2020, majoring in ring trapeze and handstand. In her work, Emmi emphasizes fluidity, expression and seamless interweaving of movements. What fascinates Emmi about circus is its versatility, and the large community surrounding it.
Ilkka
At the age of 10 Ilkka found out that circus is the thing that will keep him busy. He instantly fell for its endless possibilities and variety of expression. After a few years of practice he decided to study circus arts further in Lahti Circus school specialising in aerials and hand to hand acrobatics. Among the circus he is also trying to find out the secret of a perfect ping pong serve.
Linnea
Linnea is a former gymnast who found herself enjoying circus at the age of 15. She then decided to be a bit crazy and moved to Sweden to study at Circus Gymnasiet i Gävle. After being there for a year she felt like she wanted more and found herself in Lahti circus education where she met super awesome people to fly around with. Her main discipline is tight-wire but she is interested in all forms of acrobatics as well as being thrown in the air by other people. She believes it’s important to experiment with different styles of movement and constantly drives to find ways to make movements more unique and personal.
Minna
Minna is a circus artist from the small town Siilinjärvi, whose favourite pastime was to climb in the huge spruce tree that was in the forest behind her home. After growing a little older Minna was still happiest high above the ground, so she followed her heart into the circus school of Lahti (SaSak). After graduating and experiencing the life of a real circus artist she fell in love with circus even more; the possibilities, versatility and constant chance of surprise hold her tight, and she dreams of no other life than the life of circus. Even though Minna loves to travel, she dreams of retiring outside of the hustle and bustle of big cities, raising a few chickens and lambs.
Orfeo
Orfeo was exposed to the world of circus at the age of 4. It was the only one of his hobbies throughout his youth that stuck, entertaining and intriguing his short attention span and hyperactivity with the endless challenges it has to offer. After growing and maturing (as much as a circus artist can) Orfeo had learned the values of working in a team and creating magical performances together, which he took with him to Lahti Circus Education. He specialised in rope and hand to hand and took a big interest in double-facing cradle. He now focuses mainly on cradle and hand to hand as well as having found a new solo discipline to indulge him, kettlebell juggling. Orfeo holds the quality of his work to high standards and works tirelessly to meet them, his main focus in productions being smooth rigging transitions and trying to make them as much a part of the show as the acts themselves.
Pihla
Pihla fell in love with acrobatics from the first sight. As a kid she spent all her summers throwing kick-ass tricks in her backyard field. This desire of learning and flying led her to do gymnastics for over a decade. Throughout searching for her life’s path, her passion for acrobatics has stayed in all forms, on the ground and in the air. And naturally the more people involved, the more fun it is.