Once Upon a Time - Skills Zamaga 2025

Acrobatic dance is not just sport — it is an art form that blends strength, control, and creativity. On stage, every movement tells a story, suspended between earth and air. Performing with the aerial hoop and aerial silks is about pushing boundaries, embracing discipline, and transforming athletic training into artistic expression.

Skills Zamaga: where passion meets practice

My journey into aerial arts has been guided by Skills Zamaga, a school that combines technical excellence with a passion for performance. Founded and led by Maria Agatiello and Marco Zanotti, the school provides not only professional training but also mentorship and guidance, helping students grow both as performers and as individuals. Here, I discovered the unique challenge and beauty of aerial disciplines, supported by an inspiring community of teachers and fellow students.

Aerial hoop and aerial silk: strength, elegance, and storytelling

The aerial hoop demands precision and endurance — every hold, spin, and transition requires both strength and grace. Aerial silks, on the other hand, are about fluidity and creativity: climbing, wrapping, and flowing through the fabric, transforming physical effort into poetry in motion. Together, these disciplines create a performance that balances power and delicacy, leaving the audience suspended in wonder.

Once Upon a Time: a journey through stories

The theme of this year’s end-of-year performance, Once Upon a Time, invited performers and audience alike into a magical journey through stories and imagination. Each act represented a different tale, blending fantasy, emotion, and movement. My aerial hoop performance embraced a fun, energetic 1980s fitness theme, set to Dua Lipa’s Physical, highlighting strength and rhythm. Meanwhile, my aerial silks piece embodied the elegance and sophistication of the Belle Époque, performed to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, emphasizing fluidity, grace, and emotion. Together, these pieces showcased both the athletic and artistic sides of aerial dance.

Taking part in the end-of-year performance was a milestone in my journey. Stepping on stage, I wasn’t just demonstrating a technique — I was sharing emotions, connecting with the audience, group and friends, and celebrating the dedication behind every hour of training. For me, this experience highlighted the essence of acrobatic dance: a fusion of sport, art, and passion.

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