About Us
Maria-Elena Marso | Artistic Director/Founder, Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts
Maria-Elena Marso has spent more than four decades doing what most only dream of — performing across six continents, moving through the world with the discipline of a dancer and the fearlessness of a circus artist. Her journey began in 1974 at the ballet barre, and she has danced nearly every day since. That devotion never wavered — it simply evolved.
From the stage to the sky, Maria-Elena has mastered the art of movement in every dimension. Alongside her partner Joe Marso, she pioneered a breathtaking Adagio act that blends strength, trust, and artistry into something truly rare. But for Maria-Elena, performing was never the finish line — it was the foundation.
Today, she brings that lifetime of experience into every class she teaches. A dedicated student of biomechanics and anatomy, she approaches each young performer with curiosity and intention — not to mold them into something, but to uncover what's already there. Her gift is seeing potential before the student can see it themselves.
Brent Durham | Assistant Director & Aerial Straps Instructor
Some athletes train to compete. Brent Durham trains because movement is his language — and he's been speaking it fluently for over 14 years.
Rooted in gymnastics and martial arts, Brent built his foundation on discipline, precision, and the relentless pursuit of mastery. That foundation took him to the head coaching role of the Boundless Gymnastics Competitive Boys Team in Palm City and Stuart, where from 2018 to 2023 he shaped young athletes into confident, capable competitors. His coaching philosophy mirrors his own journey: push the limits, respect the craft, and never stop learning.
Then came the air.
Drawn to the power and artistry of aerial straps, Brent took his athleticism to new heights — literally. Training under renowned cirque artist Aaron Koz, he earned his Level 2 Aerial Straps Instructor certification, bringing world-class technique to every class he teaches. His performances have commanded stages across South Florida — from corporate events and theatrical productions to the adrenaline-charged atmosphere of South Florida Fairgrounds Fright Nights.
What makes Brent exceptional isn't just what he can do — it's how he teaches others to do it. His background in gymnastics, martial arts, and aerial arts gives students a rare, multi-disciplined perspective that builds strength, body awareness, and fearless confidence from the ground up.
At FADCA, Brent doesn't just teach circus arts. He lives them.
Our Mission
At Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts, we believe every child arrives with something worth celebrating — a unique combination of talent, potential, and spirit that no standardized curriculum can capture. Our mission is to see each student as the individual they are, and to teach accordingly.
We train with deep respect for the body. By honoring each student's natural joint ranges and physical boundaries, we create an environment where progress is never forced — it's earned. We know when to push and when to pause, when to challenge and when to cheer. That balance is not an accident. It is the result of years of dedicated study in the biomechanics and physics that govern aerial and circus arts.
Safety is not a rule at FADCA — it is a culture. Every lesson is built on the understanding that a confident, safe student is a student who thrives. We celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, because we know that each accomplishment — each climb, each hold, each flip— is a building block of something greater: a child who knows their own strength.
We don't just teach circus arts. We teach young people how to believe in themselves — one skill at a time.
“"Every impossible thing begins with a child who didn't know it couldn't be done."
— Maria-Elena Marso, Founder, Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts
