September 05, 2025

Ep. 3: April, Founder of Bliss Circus India

Season 1: Dream Chasers

In this episode of Bubble Bum Banter, I share my conversation with April, founder of Bliss Circus in India, about her inspiring journey — from building a school that attracts performers from around the world, to mentoring students, giving back to her community, and navigating life as a parent and entrepreneur.

I first reached out to April in August 2024, letting her know I wanted to attend her four-week intensive course while bringing my 17-month-old toddler. Shortly after booking, I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. From the very start, April was welcoming and offered practical guidance about childcare and logistics in India, making everything feel smooth and possible. Even at 21 weeks pregnant, her encouragement helped me feel confident about committing to the course.

Beyond running Bliss Circus, April dedicates time to giving back to the local community. She runs a completely free weekly social circus program for local children in Goa, providing them the chance to explore circus arts and creativity. Her commitment to mentorship and community reflects the heart and values that make Bliss Circus so special.

April’s journey also includes living abroad and gaining international experience. She spent two years in Argentina, training with highly skilled circus artists before bringing that expertise back to Bliss Circus. She invites mentors from around the world to teach at her intensive courses, enriching the program with world-class guidance.

In January 2025, I traveled to India to attend the four-week intensive at Bliss Circus. The experience wasn’t only about learning new skills — it was about growth, connection, and being part of a vibrant creative community. Sharing mate, a traditional tea introduced by our Argentine teachers, became a small ritual that fostered connection and reflected the communal spirit of the school. April manages the school with the support of another aerialist from India who helps oversee the space when she is away. Together, they bring in teachers and mentors from across the globe, offering training in aerial disciplines such as silks, rope, contortion, dance, flexibility, and hair hanging. In the final week, we prepared for our showcase. Volunteers helped distribute flyers around Palolem, inviting the community to watch, and on the last day, I performed a 3–4 minute silk act — a milestone I’ll never forget.

Here’s what April had to share in our interview — about her journey with Bliss Circus, the balance of parenthood and entrepreneurship, and the community she continues to build through her work.

Interview

Jess: Can you tell us your name and your specialty or skill?

April: My name is April. My performance name is April Ananda Bliss. Ananda is a Sanskrit word meaning inner bliss—the essence we are all made of. This understanding, that bliss is our inner foundation, is the intention behind my work, my performance, and my circus space in India.

Jess: Where are you joining us from today?
April: I am joining from the beautiful Ozarks in the United States, where I recently moved and started a circus education program.

Journey Into Circus

Jess: How did you first discover circus arts? Was there a moment you knew this was what you wanted to do?

April: Flow arts were my gateway into the circus community. I was a little nomadic fairy, traveling the world busking and playing with my hula hoops throughout most of my early twenties. That path evolved into fire dance, then stilt walking, and finally aerial arts. I remember the first time I put down a hat and busked in Spain—I was amazed that I could earn money doing something I loved so much. I am still deeply grateful to make my living by sharing the art that I love most.

Jess: Who or what inspired you early on — a teacher, a performer, or an inner calling?

April: I had the privilege of working with many incredible instructors, artists, and directors as a young circus artist. Andrea Russel was one of the most inspiring influences on my career, particularly in sharing circus arts in Asia. She is the founder and director of Spark Circus, a social circus project in Thailand that brings the joy of circus training and performance to displaced Burmese people living in refugee camps and migrant villages along the Thai-Burmese border. I learned so much with her and from being part of this project, first as a performer and later as a co-manager in 2011 and 2012. It showed me how circus can transcend cultural and language barriers, connecting people in profound ways. That experience ignited my drive to dedicate my life to sharing and connecting through circus. It also empowered me in performance, artist management, and directing large-scale international projects.

Bliss Circus & Mentorship

Jess: What inspired you to start Bliss Circus, and how has the school evolved over the past ten years?

April: Bliss Circus was born from a circus gathering in India that I started in 2015 at my dear friend Kalou Achaia’s school, Eluciole Circus, in Auroville. The gathering was meant to bring together the very small circus community in India for one week in a beautiful space. I hosted the gathering again in Goa in 2016, and during the Gala show, the property managers of the venue we were renting offered us the property to build a permanent space. That was the beginning of an unexpected and wild journey, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this coming January. The school has since evolved from hosting an annual gathering into a retreat center, a community circus school, a social circus project, and a performance art space. We have been blessed to host an incredible array of talented instructors, artists, and students. Bringing world-class talent into a tiny fishing village in southern Goa—among monkeys, cows, and a vibrant local community—has been a gift. The local people have embraced and supported the project in ways I will always cherish.

Jess: How do you support and mentor your students to help them grow, both in skill and confidence?

April: We welcome such a wide variety of students to our space, and supporting them in their journeys as developing circus artists looks different for everyone. Technical training is only one part of becoming an inspiring artist. Equally important is the inner journey—connecting with one’s personal story and discovering what they want to express through performance. Guiding and witnessing that process is always a beautiful honor for me.

Jess: What’s a moment or memory from teaching at Bliss Circus that sticks with you?

April: It’s hard to choose just one highlight, but watching my students perform and completely own the stage brings me to tears of joy every single time.

Jess: For performers traveling from abroad, what’s important to know about attending a course in India?

April: Having an open mind is the most important quality for students attending our courses in India. Many people arrive with preconceived notions of India, often shaped by inaccurate or biased media. India is a vast country of contrasts, and Goa is a very different experience from places like Delhi or Varanasi. My advice: expect the unexpected and stay present. Our little fishing village is full of warmth and wonder, with simple but generous people. While we are far from any large city and certain resources may be limited, the beauty of daily life here is profound. Magic is everywhere—in the scent of jasmine flowers as you walk, the colorful sunsets on the beach, a motorcycle ride weaving past cows and dogs, or a sweet cup of chai in the fresh morning air before training. Keep your mind and eyes open, and India will work her magic on you.

Jess: You also run a free social circus program for disadvantaged children in Goa. Can you share what that experience means to you and the impact you’ve seen?

April: Social circus—sharing circus with all people regardless of socio-economic background—is foundational to my practice, rooted in my time with Spark Circus in Thailand. At Bliss Circus, we have a long-running and beautiful connection with Mango Wisdom, a project that helps disadvantaged children attend our shows and train in our space. We have also partnered with organizations like Performers Without Borders and the Kashi Fire Warriors to further promote circus arts with children across India.

Jess: You raised your children in India while running Bliss Circus. How did that shape your experience as a founder and parent?

April: Working in India as a foreign woman, as the Director and Founder of Bliss Circus, while also raising my two adopted children as a single parent, has been a massive journey. It has stretched and challenged me in ways I could never have imagined and shaped me beyond words. The resilience, patience, dedication, and surrender required of me have been profound. It has taught me to trust—myself, the universe, and others. It has also helped me stay connected to the essence of bliss that we are all made of. That bliss is easy to forget or seek outside of ourselves, but it is always there, reminding me that no matter what happens, I am Bliss—and simply existing is enough.

Jess: Your work took you to Argentina, where you trained under highly skilled circus artists and mentors. How did that experience influence Bliss Circus and the teachers you brought in at the time?

April: Argentina was a huge adventure for me and my family! After many years in India, we decided to leap across the world. I have always been inspired by Argentina’s dynamic rope lineage, and after so long being the highest-level instructor in my area, I was hungry for new knowledge and growth—both for my own artistry and for my students. The circus community in Argentina is extraordinary; the culture of sharing among incredibly talented artists was deeply inspiring. I was honored to bring two of these artists, Nacho Ricci and Celeste Flores, to India to teach a month-long intensive in dynamic verticals. Students from every continent came to participate. Moments like this make all the challenges worthwhile.

Training & Growth

Jess: How do you structure a typical day at Bliss Circus, balancing training, teaching, and life?

April: Bliss Circus operates part-time, usually between one and four months each season, depending on the year. The season coincides with Goa’s dry, temperate months, from December to March. A typical day begins with the sounds of nature, tropical fruits, and coffee or tea. The volunteer team helps clean and prepare the outdoor space, as maintaining it is a constant task. Morning classes run for two to three hours of physical preparation, stretching, conditioning, and training. Lunch is a chance to enjoy healthy, local vegetarian meals from amazing chefs, followed by a short siesta, dip, or rest. Afternoons are often dedicated to creation or rehearsals, though sometimes we take time to explore—swimming holes, waterfalls, remote beaches, or kayaking. Evenings end with sunset on the beach, handstands, flow arts, and laughter. Dinner might be at a favorite village restaurant or by the sea. It’s a rhythm of discipline, joy, and community.

Jess: You’re constantly learning yourself — how do you make time for your own growth while running a school?

April: One of my biggest struggles as Director has been balancing the demands of running the school with nurturing my own artistic journey. No matter how supportive the team is, something always pulls me in different directions. Protecting time for personal training, creation, and rehearsal is a constant challenge. Giving so much to students without space to learn from other advanced instructors can be draining. My immersion in Argentina was partly a response to this imbalance—a chance to replenish and grow. I keep balance by traveling regularly and dedicating part of every year to my own learning and creative work.

Jess: During the course, two of our teachers from Argentina introduced me to mate, a traditional tea. It was my first time trying it, and I loved how it felt both energizing for climbing the silks and like a small ritual that brought everyone together. Why do little traditions like this — sharing mate, or similar rituals — play such an important role in building connection and community among circus performers?

April: Circus is about community and sharing. It’s about connecting with others in real life and real time. In a world increasingly shaped by screens and disconnection, gathering to train, share mate, travel, and perform live art feels like an act of radical resistance.

Fun & Personal

Jess: Stripes or velvet?

April: Stripes.

Jess: Do you have any rituals or habits that help you stay grounded and inspired?

April: I’ve picked up so many rituals and habits while traveling and exchanging with other artists and cultures. One of my favorites is a pre-show meditation and visualization practice. It helps me envision how I want to share my work and the energy I want to offer to the audience.

Looking Back & Forward

Jess: What’s a memory from your circus journey that makes you proud or happy?

April: One of the most incredible shows we created was with Aisling, featuring an all-woman cast of around 18 performers. At the finale, the women processed across the stage carrying my white fire skirt, then lit it as I was lifted into the air to the song The Witch That Could Not Be Burned by Black Bird and Crow. It was absolutely epic—one of the most powerful shows we have ever hosted.

Jess: How does helping the community influence the way you teach and mentor your students?

April: Being in service has always been part of my dharma, or path. I deeply believe that those who serve others and build community are doing some of the most important work in the world.

Jess: If you could leave one piece of circus wisdom for our readers — something that captures your philosophy — what would it be?

April: Bliss is everywhere.. it is you, it is all of us. Sharing with your audience is easy when you know they are already made of the same essence as you. Set that intention in your heart and it will guide you!

Outro

What I loved most in speaking with April is how she kept circling back to the idea of bliss — that circus isn’t only about training harder or chasing the next trick, it’s also about the joy of the journey and the people we share it with. That was exactly what I felt at Bliss Circus: the friendships and the everyday magic. Running from the training space at six o’clock sharp to catch the sunset and swim in the sea. Sitting on the beach chatting with like-minded people. Riding our moped down little Goan roads to discover new food spots. Letting our toddler fall asleep in the stroller while we ate dinner in the bustling streets of Palolem. When the course ended in February, we didn’t want to leave — so we extended our visas and moved into a little mud hut on a family’s land, fifteen minutes from the beach and the training space. It felt like home.

Being in that environment also made me reflect on my own circus journey and where I’m at now, at 35, as a mother of two. Before, it was all about training harder, getting better, and improving year after year. Now, with new priorities and so little time, I’ve made peace with just maintaining where I’m at. Even if it’s just 30 minutes or an hour of practice in a day, that little bit is enough to make me feel connected. I know I’ll never work for Cirque du Soleil, but I’ve let go of that kind of destination goal. For me, circus has become a lifestyle — a rhythm I weave into my everyday life. Yes, I’ve lost some skill and flexibility, but I’ve gained new goals, new directions, and new ways of measuring joy. Circus isn’t just about how “good” someone is — it’s about how they carry it with them, how it shapes their days, and how it becomes a part of their life.

That’s the thing April has created at Bliss Circus — not just a school, but a community, and a rhythm of life that stays with you long after you leave.