Instructors

chloe whiting-stevenson, owner

Chloe’ loves all kinds of performance – theatre, dance, and the circus arts. She works as a movement and acting instructor, Butoh dancer, mask maker, performance artist, and yoga instructor in the Midwest.  Chloe’ has an MFA in Physical Theatre from the Accademia’ Dell Arte, located in Arezzo Italy in association with MUW, an MA in Theatre from Illinois State University and a BA in Theatre with a focus in acting from Siena Heights University.  She is a registered 200 RYT Yoga instructor and a certified Elemental Body Alignment Level I teacher.  She has worked and performed across the United States, France, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Wales, and Nicaragua. 

Her areas of interest include devised theatre, circus, storytelling, puppeteering, Butoh, and research into theatre history. Chloe’s passion for teaching, human bodies in motion, and communication are what brought her to share exciting opportunities within physical theatre. Everyone has a voice – it just needs to be unlocked and shared with the world.

Matthew James Miller, Owner

Matt Miller is a seasoned creative whose expertise spans storytelling through documentaries, film, and circus performances. As co-owner of Birds Eye View Circus, Matt fosters an inclusive environment where individuals explore fitness combined with performance art. His role as an instructor emphasizes safety and progression-based learning for students of all ages. A skilled performer, Matt writes, produces, directs, and performs in live circus shows, showcasing his narrative talent through aerial, character work, stilting, and acrobatics.

Matt's background in video production, recognized with a Great Lakes Regional Emmy® Award, reflects his collaborative approach to storytelling with local artists and communities. His circus journey exemplifies the power of creativity and community, inspiring others to embrace their talents and pursue their own goals/dreams.

Morgan Sopko, owner

Morgan Sopko fell in love with aerial silks the first time she stepped into the air. As a versatile educator with a passion for fostering inclusive learning environments, Morgan brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the realm of circus instruction. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo and over a decade of experience in environmental education, Morgan is adept at crafting engaging experiences that cater to learners of all ages and abilities.

Whether soaring on aerial silks or mastering new skills, Morgan fosters a supportive and enriching atmosphere where individuals can thrive and discover their potential. Morgan first began coaching in 2007 for Bedford Public Schools and was voted Michigan High School Athletic Association Southeastern District Coach of the Year in 2015. Morgan is a Wilderness First Responder and NAI Certified Interpretive Guide.

Renee Granados, owner

Renee Granados is an artist and former gymnast who began training with Bird’s Eye View Circus in September of 2013. Having done competitive gymnastics for all of her young life and having no affinity for “plain old exercise”, she found her silks training to be the perfect mix of fun, fitness, and expression. Since then, she has branched out to many other apparatuses like static trapeze, hammock, rope, hand balancing, and tightwire.

Renee enjoys performing, exploring new ways of storytelling within circus arts, and chasing the perfect handstand at open gym. She adores the Bird’s Eye community for its supportive atmosphere and openness to creativity. 

Holly Strawbridge

Holly Strawbridge is an artist, designer, yoga teacher & mindfulness instructor with a passion for circus arts. As a little girl who grew up near her hometown fairgrounds, she fell in love with the circus early on. She’s been professionally practicing the performing and visual arts for over 15 years, and has found her niche in immersive performance art and theatre. She has also worked with Detroit’s Theatre Bizarre since 2015. 

Holly studied performance and visual arts at Ringling College of Art, at the New York Studio Residency Program, and holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is a registered 200 RYT Yoga Instructor and 50HR Yin Instructor through Yoga Alliance, and leads guided meditation and healing sound workshops.

Holly is so excited to be a part of Toledo’s vibrant circus community through Bird’s Eye View Circus.

Leah Thompson

Leah Thompson has been training at Bird’s Eye View Circus since 2017. As a self-proclaimed ‘jack of all trades’, she has spent time training many different circus skills. Trapeze, aerial silks, and rolla bolla are her current specialties. In 2019, she accepted an internship to begin teaching at BEVC and currently teaches in both the youth and adult program. Her main goals for her classes are for her students to have fun and build their self confidence.

Stephanie Biegala

Stephanie Biegala started training circus arts in 2014 at BEVC and fell head first in love. Over the years she has trained silks, tightwire, trapeze, lyra, stilt walking and anything else that is offered at the studio. With a passion for teaching children, she interned in the youth classes under Erin and Chloe, to teach beginners in the Youth Cirque Sampler class. You will also see Steph out in the community belly dancing with Aegela Centers for Middle Eastern Dance.

Founder: Erin Garber-Pearson

Erin is a tightwire dancer, aerialist, sculptor and visual artist who originally founded Bird’s Eye View Circus in 2012. Before passing the torch to Chloe, Matt, Morgan, and Renee, Erin served as their mentor and teacher for nearly a decade. Her commitment to a body-positive, inclusive, and kind environment built the BEVC community we know and cherish today. Learn more about her artwork at eringarberpearson.com or find her on instagram @eringarberpearson.