O { on the way up }
by CHERYL KATES-BENMAN I PHOTOS BY TELLIER STUDIOS
A NewFound Freedom, Soaring Through the Sky
It’s a bird! it’s a plane! No, it’s aerialist Jenna Abelon, soaring through the sky on her trapeze. All of us have memories of attending the Barnum Bailey Circus, watching the beautiful aerialist trapeze teams and wanting one day to be them.
186
ROCHESTER WOMAN ONLINE :: AUGUST 2017
The women in beautiful costumes, riding around on exotic animals and the suspense of whether anyone will fall from hundreds of feet above the three rings, up in the sky. For us this comes once a year, kicking off with the elephants marching the streets in down town Rochester, but for Jenna Abelon this is her everyday life. The life of an aerialist became even more so popular when Cirque Du Soliel popped on the scene and with recording artist Pink, using ribbon air techniques in her performances. Jenna performs trapeze, hoop, cube, pole and acro-dance.
Rochester Woman Online caught up with Jenna to learn more about the life of an aerialist. Jenna traveled the country to follow her dreams. Last year, she packed up her life in Rochester NY and travelled across the country with her dog Paco. She left her friends and family behind to pursue better opportunities in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and later in North Carolina. During this trip, Jenna reflected on her past and all of the obstacles she was faced with including being a survivor of domestic violence and personal struggles. Her spiritual connection with God often becomes her strength to face another day. The experience to relocate did not go smoothly and things Jenna put in place fell through. Jenna started out staying with a friend, but in pursuit of her dreams, she was faced with a new dilemma, being homeless in a foreign place. Jenna recalls some days where she slept in her car or ate raviolis out of a can. Despite these challenges, she refused to give
up, because she was following her dreams. She then decided to move to North Carolina where she taught Pole in Charlotte while performing with Cirque De Vol in Raleigh. When Jenna came home to visit recently, she realized that no matter how good the success was she was missing one thing…the friends and family to share it with. She packed up everything again and returned to Rochester to be near family. She was going to travel either way so why not make Rochester her home base. Jenna spends most of her time in entertainment as she founded Epic Rose, a company which provides a variety of artists for events. Additionally, she teaches at Aerial Arts, and provides training through Strong Inside Out Personal Training. Jenna recently performed at Raven Night Club in Atlantic City and at the grand opening of Comedy @ The Carlson. We see the glamour and glitz of being an aerialist, as a whole, I don’t think any of us understand the true commitment and dedication required to perfect the craft. Jenna must practice daily. In addition, she must adhere to a strict diet and exercise regime to maintain her strength and agility. After performances, although it appears easy because they are done usually in ten-minute stretches, an aerialist is often sore and battered, but this is something they become accustomed to as part of their life. To Jenna, the bruises and rough hands are worth every bit of the reward and therapy she gets from her art During practices, or the show, an aerialist may have glitches but the show must go on.