Shena Tschofen is a multidisciplinary artist based in Montreal.
Shena is a handknitting pattern designer and textile artist.
In her knitting patterns, she aims to teach knitters the “why” behind their knitting. Her designs often feature colourwork and unusual methods of construction. Her patterns can be found on Ravelry.
As a textile artist, Shena creates functional pieces, primarily using recycled textiles.
She is currently open to commissions.
Shena is a handknitting pattern designer and textile artist.
In her knitting patterns, she aims to teach knitters the “why” behind their knitting. Her designs often feature colourwork and unusual methods of construction. Her patterns can be found on Ravelry.
As a textile artist, Shena creates functional pieces, primarily using recycled textiles. She is inspired by the slow craft movement, which places value on the process and meaning of making things by hand.
In 2023, she earned a degree in fashion and made-to-measure dressmaking from the École des métiers des Faubourgs de Montréal.
From luthiery to knitting and natural dyes, she is in an ongoing process of collecting expertise in various traditional handcrafts. Shena has documented some of her past projects in her video series, Craft Saga, which follows her adventures in learning craft-related skills.
Shena specializes in cyr wheel and lasso and occasionally performs in aerial disciplines. She is currently available to perform at private events.
Show MoreShena specializes in cyr wheel and lasso and occasionally performs in aerial disciplines.
After graduating from Montreal’s National Circus School, she toured with Cirque Éloize’s Saloon as both an acrobat and musician. In 2019, she received the Grand Award of the Jury and the Pegasus Variety Award for her cyr wheel act at the Newcomershow, an international variety festival.
In 2021, she received the grand award at Le Monastère’s Cabaret du Jugement Dernier, and in 2023 the GOP Varieté Award at Youngstage Festival. In 2023 and 2024, she toured with Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA as a cyr wheel and pole dance artist.
Shena also offers cyr wheel workshops and private lessons, emphasizing clean technique and the importance of creative improvisation. She has enjoyed teaching venues such as the National Centre for Circus Arts in London and the École supérieure des arts du cirque (ESAC) in Brussels. She is stylistically influenced by contemporary dance, which she studied at the University of Minnesota.
She is currently available to perform at private events.
Shena plays violin and octave mandolin, and sings. Classically trained on the violin in her childhood, she now mostly plays in a variety of folk styles.
Show MoreShena plays violin and octave mandolin, and sings.
Classically trained on the violin in her childhood, she now mostly plays in a variety of folk styles. She has extensive knowledge of Irish traditional music and picked up bluegrass and western swing from collaborations with other musicians while on tour. She writes music for both violin and octave mandolin.
Apprenticing with luthier Mike Kennedy at the Mile End Guitar Coop in Montreal in 2018, she crafted a hybrid string instrument dubbed the balalaikalele.
Commissions
Shena accepts commissions for:
Performance
Hire Shena to perform her award-winning Cyr wheel act at your next private event.
Technical Requirements For Circus Performances
Cyr Wheel
- Ideal space
- Circle with a diameter of 13m (42ft)
- Minimum space
- 6 x 6m (20 x 20ft)
- Floor surface
- Level, hard, clean, dry surface. Marley (dance floor), hard vinyl, gym floor or other similar surfaces. Cannot perform on grass, carpet, asphalt, mats, inclines, or uneven or wet surfaces.
- Preparation
- Must be able to test surface and lights before performance. Backstage area with a mirror for makeup.
Lasso
- Minimum space
- Space of at least 4.5 x 4.5m (15 x 15 ft), ceiling height minimum 4m (12ft)
- Floor surface
- Even, hard floor surface. Preferably smooth such as wood or marley (dance floor), but can be adapted for textured surfaces like carpet or grass.
- Preparation
- Must be able to test surface and lights before performance. Backstage area with a mirror for makeup.
Reviews
Comments from around the globe.
… my star award goes to the ebullient Tschofen who not only plays the fiddle so well and so exuberantly, but also gave one of the best (and most varied) Cyr wheel routines that I have yet seen.
DanceTabs
There is a fluidity and grace to Shena’s movements. She twirls with a mesmerizing ease…
Entertaining Options
Some very masterful movement from Shena Tschofen, in full control of a Cyr wheel (named for Daniel Cyr, co-founder of Cirque Éloize), proved to be the stand-out scene for me.
London Theater 1
The Cyr Wheel …manipulating it to her every whim was Shena Tschofen, inside and out … poetry in motion.
The Live Review, London
Particular highlights were the mind-boggling cyr wheel spinning of Shena Tschofen (the weight placement looked like it should have been all wrong but she simply defied gravity)…
Dancing Review
Rare and beautiful numbers emerge from this presentation [Colibri], notably that of Shena Tschofen, who flutters like a hummingbird suspended in flight…
Le Devoir
Shena Tschofen, specializing in [Cyr wheel] and aerial equilibristics, also plays so furiously on the violin that one almost finds it unfair for one individual to have so much talent.
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Special mention to Shena Tschofen who shines with her versatility and talent…
ARP.MEDIA
Previous Engagements
2023-2024
- LUZIA, Cirque du Soleil. Cyr wheel, pole dance.
- Youngstage Festival, Basel, Switzterland. GOP Varieté Special Award. Cyr Wheel
2022
- Bach to the Circus with the Bachmobile, Concours international d’orgue du Canada. Cyr wheel
- Un Cabaret Sans Lendemain, Fondation 33. St Felicien, Quebec. Cyr wheel
- Street shows, Montreal Complètement Cirque. Lasso, traffic cones, Cyr wheel
- Playable Characters, an interactive online circus game. Metonym Circus, Montreal. Cyr wheel, lasso
- Six Degrees, Flip Fabrique (US tour). Cyr wheel, lasso
2021
- Stille Kracht, Casinotheater Winterthur, Switzerland. Cyr wheel, lasso, fiddle
- Branché, Cirque Barcode and Acting for Climate Montréal (US tour). Group acrobatics/ banquine, octave mandolin
- Cabaret du Jugement Dernier, Le Monastère, Montréal. Grand Prize. Cyr wheel, violin
2020
- GOP Varieté. Circus, music
- Krystallpalast Varieté. Cyr wheel, lasso
- Au Hasard de la Ville, Montréal Presque Cirque. Cyr wheel
2019
- Pegasus Varieté. Cyr wheel
- Newcomershow, Krystallpalast Varieté. Pegasus Varieté Award, Grand Award of the Jury. Cyr wheel
- Le Monastère, Montreal circus cabaret. Cyr wheel
- Cirque Éloize, Saloon (touring show). Circus, music
2018
- Guest coach, École supérieur des arts du cirque, Brussels. Cyr wheel
- Montreal Ceilidh Band. Fiddle, voice
- Casino de Montréal. Lasso
- La Rue Complètement Cirque. Cyr wheel
- Cirque Éloize, Saloon (touring show). Circus, music
2015-2017
- Cirque Éloize, Saloon (touring show, 2016). Circus, music
- Colibri, National Circus School, Montreal. Circus
- Les Minutes Complètement Cirque. Circus, music
Contact Shena for information on private and corporate events