MONICA NEWSAM | Satori

Photo Elegance, Biljiana Erdeg

Monica Newsam, President of NEWSAM AERIAL DANCE, discovered at age five her passion for movement and dance, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey to define her singular artistic vision.

Monica’s internationally acclaimed body of work in dance and choreography stretches four continents – from North America and South America to Europe and Asia. She received her BFA at the National School of Dance and Folklore in Havana.

Monica continued her exploration of international movement styles in India. She received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Indian Classical Dance at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and Yoga at the Sivananda Yoga Center of Kerala.

With her 2003 Master’s in Education from Lindenwood University, Monica and her sister, Graciela Newsam, began exploring aerial circus techniques, lending new perspectives to their artistic works. Since 2008, Monica has worked with artist Tom Brady and the non-profit ANNONYArts in performance installations. In 2017, Monica and Graciela published the pioneering Aerial Dance Curriculum for Dancers which they use while teaching workshops and master classes. Currently, Monica teaches aerial dance at Webster University and choreographs for its dance ensembles.

Throughout her extensive creative output, Monica seeks to expand global awareness of aerial dance as an exciting, expressive movement discipline.

Monica and Tom met shortly after Tom returned from Milano performing the premier of 3 Row Poles to Enlightenment. Brady was convinced that the work had more potential but sought out Monica who matched his commitment to content, unrelenting discipline in pursuit of magic.

Since that initial collaboration Brady and Newsam have worked tirelessly, building a vocabulary that defines the human experience - moments that go beyond the narrative to whisper wisdom whose silence speaks with a roar.

Their 15 year collaboration is built on creative trust, focusing on the intent. Ideas are pursued regardless, the origins get lost in the joyful scramble towards clarity and insight.