About A²D² Entertainment and Events

Based out of Toronto, Ontario Canada, A²D² ~Aerial Dance Cirque Co. is a customized entertainment and events service dedicated to the creation of unique entertainment solutions for each individual client. After years of catering to corporate clients, committees and private individuals alike, A²D² has developed a stellar reputation for excellent customer service and flawless execution. Providing an extraordinary customer experience is our goal – from beginning to end.

With an enviable safety record and a commitment to raising industry standards, A²D^2's high-end service leaves clients in awe time and time again.

A²D² services include high flying aerial acts, breathtaking floor shows, Juno-Award winning musical entertainment, laugh-out-loud dinner theatre shows and full-length productions.

Turning ordinary events into extraordinary experiences is what we do best – A²D² are proud members of the International Special Events Society (ISES) Toronto Chapter, Meetings Professional International (MPI) Toronto Chapter, and proud supporters of the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

And, for the record, our name is pronounced "A squared D squared." :)

Elisa (DeAngelis) Kovacic, A²D² Circus Mastermind + Founder

Since childhood, Elisa has trained intensively as a competitive dancer in the disciplines of jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical and acro-dance at various dance studios including Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance, and Maple Academy of Dance, earning numerous gold medal rankings in the local, regional and national levels of competition. In her teen years, Elisa began training in circus arts, specifically in the disciplines of static trapeze, flying trapeze, & single and double hoop with various Toronto cirque companies and later, with Montréal’s renowned L’Ecole Nationale de Cirque.

As a young professional, Elisa co-founded A²D² and has since expanded the troupe to include numerous other high calibre cirque specialty performers, ex-Olympians, and multi-skilled dancers. With her company, Elisa has performed for numerous prestigious clients including American Express, Rogers, 4^th Street Live, The California Wine Institute, Trillium Hospitals, Youth Employment Services, Dolce Canada, The Toronto Real Estate Board, and Ontario Place among many others.

Aside from training for specific troupe performances, Elisa stays actively involved with the Toronto arts community through coaching, training, and even judging for various Canadian dance competitions.

Elisa is also an active member of MPI ~ Meeting Professionals International sitting on various committees and volunteering to help orchestrate annual MPI events.

Elisa’s favourite saying: “Give’m the old Razzle Dazzle”

Julie (DeAngelis) Danaylov, A²D² Event Solutions Expert + Co-Founder

Coming from a long family lineage of providing quality live entertainment to audiences around the globe, career highlights for Julie include her production work on The Champagne Symphony Orchestra (CSO) fronted by her Juno-award winning father, Bob DeAngelis. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 Bob DeAngelis and his Champagne Symphony presented “The King of Swing, A Tribute to Benny Goodman” on New Year’s Eve at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. In 2007, the CSO self-produced a special 70th Anniversary performance at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City. Julie has also worked for 12 years and counting on one of DeAngelis Entertainment’s signature shows “Joey and Gina’s Comedy Wedding.”

In 2008, A²D² Inc ~ Aerial Dance Circus Company was founded by sisters Julie, Elisa and Samantha. All three ladies have extensive backgrounds in competitive dance (ballet, tap, jazz and acro), teaching and of course, circus. A²D² Inc has since provided customized entertainment packages for a multitude of themed events incorporating live music merged with dynamic cirque. In this short time span, “Cirque-tacular” was created ~ a beautiful full-scale cirque production which debuts on an annual basis as a fund raising gala dedicated to raising money for people living with spinal cord injuries.

Julie is certified to teach via Dance Masters of America and has taught at dance studios in and around the GTA for ten years including The Dance Place, Maple Academy of Dance and Sherway Academy of Music. She is also certified to judge under International Academy of Dance Adjudicators. Julie currently sits on the board of directors of the International Special Events Society (ISES Toronto Chapter) and is heavily involved in her local special events community, volunteering to orchestrate community events and public performances. Julie also has formal education in journalism and loves writing entries on her Circus Blog.

Julie’s motto in life: “There’s no business like show business!”

Samantha DeAngelis, A²D² Studio Director + Co-Founder

Often described as the “firecracker” of the family, Samantha brings a passion and energy to her work which has become a cornerstone of A²D² day-to-day operations.

In charge of orchestrating A²D^2’s Cirque Centre which opened for business November 2010, Samantha not only personally teaches numerous aerial classes but she also choreographs competitive dance routines for various dance studios in the GTA. Over the years her students have earned numerous awards and several titles at regional and national level competitions. Samantha has trained with all of the major circus companies in Toronto which has helped broaden her perspective of the cirque industry as a whole.

In addition to A²D² performances, A²D² office work and teaching, Samantha is actively involved with the family umbrella business, DeAngelis Entertainment Inc, which includes Bob DeAngelis Live Musical Services, Joey and Gina’s Comedy Wedding, and The Champagne Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Additional association’s & accreditations include Dance Masters of America, The Toronto Rock, ICING Inc, and the International Academy of Dance Adjudicators.

Some of Samantha’s favourite signature performances include appearances with her Juno-Award winning father, Bob DeAngelis as well as A²D² self-produced shows dedicated to raising funds for spinal research; including – Cirque-tacular and the Seven Deadly Sins, Cirque Tea Party, and A²D^2‘s newest show.

Samantha’s motto: “Dance like nobody is watching”