Elsie Smith specializes in performing and teaching aerial skills.  She has performed with many well known companies including Cirque du Soleil, and received a Special Award at the China Wuqiau Internat’l Circus Festival in 2007 and the Bronze Medal at the 1st Internat’l Festival de Circo en Albacete, Spain in 2008.  Her teaching credits include Pilobolus, Circus Smirkus, the Actor’s Gymnasium, Aloft Aerial Arts, Circus Juventas,  Umo Ensemble, Canopy Aerial Dance Studio, the San Francisco Circus Center and the Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder, CO.   She is the Artistic Director of the New England Center for Circus Arts and runs a performing company, Nimble Arts, with her aerial partner and twin sister, Serenity Smith Forchion. She also consults in aerial safety matters with the American Youth Circus Organization, judges the US Aerials Competition and is the driving force behind the NA Aerial Teacher Certification Program.