Our Mission

At Rocket City Circus Arts, our mission is to share our passion for circus arts with the local community by creating an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring space for students to learn and perform. We are dedicated to fostering connection, encouraging growth, and providing safe, high-quality instruction and performances that embrace a variety of aerial and circus acts. Individuals from all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels are welcome to join our community.

Our Team

Jessica Roya - Founder, Creative Director, Aerial Program Leader, and Instructor

Jessica Roya is a Florida native. She moved to Huntsville, AL in 2020 after graduating from Florida State University. Jessica fell in love with circus arts as a young adult and began her exploration, training, and beyond roughly 19 years ago. She moved to Philadelphia to take classes at Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Her journey took her to Washington D.C. where she continued her training in static trapeze and silks. She returned home to Florida and trained under a seasoned circus performer, Melissa Kellerman. In her early 20s, she ran off with various circus troupes and traveled off and on for years performing static trapeze, aerial silks, lyra, and has even been an elephant showgirl! Jessica has been seen in multiple Shriner Circus Shows, appeared on Telemundo, featured in news articles, and has appeared in multiple music videos. She has trained with some of the top Mongolian contortion coaches in the world and has taught at dance studios in Tallahassee, coached silks at the South Florida Circus School in Miami, and led multiple aerial, flexibility and contortion programs including Pendulum Aerial Arts and Gym Force Aerial. She is over the moon to bring Rocket City Circus Arts to Huntsville. Aside from her love for the circus, Jessica is a proud mom of two boys, is passionate about philosophy of law, and enjoys practicing (or butchering) her Farsi.

Nydya Sabreen - Aerial Instructor

Nydya is An Aerial Experience and a pillar in the performing arts community in Huntsville, AL. Originally from New Jersey, she has performed across the country performing various aerial acts including aerial silks, lyra, cube, aerial pole, prism, and more. Nydya has been instructing for over a decade, sharing her passion and inspiring women to find the goddess in them at her own local studio, HypnotQ Island. Nydya is full of many talents including building clocks, sewing, modeling/acting, dancing, and probably more that we have yet to learn about! She holds a degree in fashion design from The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. When she is not hanging upside down or teaching others how to, she enjoys attending church functions, practicing her Spanish, and hanging out with her dog Kynji.

Rachel Erwin - Aerial Instructor

Rachel has been in the air since 2007, and at this point it is hard to imagine life without aerial. Inspiration came from seeing someone perform silks on TV— and the very next week she began aerial classes in a local studio. What started as exploration and training in Atlanta turned into 7 years as an aerial instructor in the Seattle area at Kirkland Dance Center, working with both kids and adults in aerial silks, sling (hammock), static and dance trapeze. Some of her favorite memories are from the annual student showcases—watching her students build routines, gain confidence, and then absolutely light up on stage. Rachel is exceptional in creating artistic expression with multiple aerial apparatuses, sometimes even merging them together to create unique shapes and sequences. Since moving to the Huntsville area, she’s taught at Pilates Center of Huntsville and continues to share her love of aerial in a way that’s encouraging, practical, and just the right amount of challenging. She’s an art historian, a realtor, a mom, and an instructor who genuinely loves helping people learn something new—even (and especially!) when it feels a little intimidating at first.

Guest & Workshop Instructors

Lila Celeste - Hula Hoop & Object Manipulation Instructor

An embodiment of the divine feminine energy and a pillar of the Huntsville art community, Lila Celeste is a passionate flow artist. Her love of flow started with the hula hoop back in 2019, and has grown immensely over the years picking up several other props along the way. Being a part of several local events and festival performances, Lila is known for her mesmerizing dragon staff and palm torch movements; Her movement speaks a sacred language only the eyes can understand. She blends fluid movement combined with technicality, creating a captivating audience performance. She founded HSV Flow&Grow in 2024, and Lila has successfully gathered and led an array of performing artists at HSV Flow&Grow through community engagement. She has used her experience to teach newcomers in finding flow and establishing safe practices within the fire circle. Aside from flow arts, she is a passionate being who enjoys being in nature. Lila is a part of the Plant Science Team at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and has become passionate for South Eastern native plant species and trail maintenance. Blending hard work with creativity, she is also in charge of all floral designs for HBG events. In her free time, she creates sustainable costume designs and other various forms of art.

Nick Hanson - Juggling Instructor

Nick is a Huntsville native, dancer, roller skater, and a life-long juggler. Born into a family of hobbyist entertainers he started his circus arts training early, and two decades later performance art continues to bring joy to his life. His favorite skills include juggling multiple clubs in one hand, and he specializes in club balance, twirling, passing, and freestyle technique. As an instructor, he understands the importance of individualistic learning and helping students find their style. Nick also performs and organizes with HSV Flow&Grow. You have likely seen him around town performing with various props including clubs and fire props. He is a University of Alabama at Huntsville graduate, and aside from his circus and performing arts passions, he is an esports enthusiast, disc golfer, and rock collector.

Brinley Schmuck - Juggling Instructor

Brinley Schmuck is a professional Circus performer who is brilliantly passionate about her craft and still actively travels with shows. She has over a decade of experience as a juggling performer and instructor. Brinley has graced many stages in the U.S., amazing hundreds of people with her performances. As an instructor, she fuses her circus performance knowledge and enthusiasm together to ignite a spark in every lesson for children and adults of all levels. She offers students a unique blend of professional skill and creative artistry, and she is recognized for creating a fun, encouraging class environment. Brinley has also assisted circuses, attended juggling festivals and competitions, and performed as a juggler in local theater and event productions. She strives to create a fun, encouraging environment. She enjoys helping students of all ages build confidence, coordination, and a love for juggling. Unicycle is another circus discipline she enjoys working on in her free time. Aside from her circus passions, Brinley has worked as an Anesthesia Technician in the Operating Room, was a competitive swimmer growing up, is 1 of 6 kids, and is seeking a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.