Secrets Your Mentor Never Told You
How to Leap into a Creative Life
July 7, 2022
Enthusiastic about connecting artists with their audiences and championing athletes’ rights, Laura-Ann’s passions naturally extend from her experience as a professional performer, a former elite gymnast and her ongoing efforts with community involvement. Laura-Ann worked both under the spotlight as an acrobat and behind-the-scenes in public relations during her seven years with Cirque du Soleil. As chair of the tour's Social Committee, improving tour morale and employee connectivity were both high priorities. During the pandemic, Laura-Ann partnered with former colleagues to co-found the Project Lumiére which focused on keeping the circus and performing arts communities united. Starting at the age of two, Laura-Ann vaulted into competitive gymnastics with flare. She balanced her physical training and academic pursuits to win an athletic scholarship for her undergraduate studies. Laura-Ann was named a two-time All-American gymnast, an alternate for the 2004 Canadian Olympic team and a NCAA PAC-10 Conference champion. During her stint on Amaluna, Laura-Ann discovered another passion for public relations while working behind the scenes for Cirque. Based in Vancouver, BC, Laura-Ann has worked in London, England, and toured with Cirque through North America, Europe and South America. She completed her bachelor's degree in Exercise & Sport Science with a minor in Psychology at Oregon State University. This past November, Laura-Ann recently completed a Public Relations Certificate through Simon Fraser University and has just begun working at Citizen Relations in Vancouver.

How to make that Leap into creative living comes when you expand your community and see what you're drawn towards. 


What I learned from Laura-Ann:

The way, the life path, doesn’t need to look a particular way. There are opportunities, doorways, that don’t look like they are and then they are! Not all will work out but you will at least try and gain experience and connections and insights and stories.
 
How to look at creation from inside out: within a job that you may not see as your dream job... Take your access point any way you can!
Make an impression that lasts by giving them value.
Show up with all your tools and know that you can leave anytime you want but you choose to stay because it's interesting work.

Contact Laura-Ann
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Learn more about SFU Public Relations
Coach at Circe du Soleil whom I studied last year with Caitlan Maggs

Topic Highlights


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Music by Chris Bernard, "Funk On The Radio"
Creative Media Consultant Akshita

Produced by Laura Burns
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