Phil Starr
PRESIDENT
Suzy Keidel
VICE PRESIDENT
Suzy, mom to 5 Great All American Circus alums, has truly embraced circus since her family began participating in 2001. Besides her role on the CCAC board serving as Vice President, she has participated in Pyramid Acro, Risley, can be found spotting performers. She has assisted with evaluations, ushered, and has spent her fair share of time slinging nachos and cotton candy in the snack bar. When she is not "doing circus" she can be found following the global adventures that her kids have had using their many circus talents.
Tom Gleisberg
TREASURER
I'm probably the oldest person to perform in an aerial act at age 68 (three seasons ago). If I perform this upcoming year, I'll be 71.
Spencer Mathey
SECRETARY
Because of circus I’m almost positive I spent more time in the air then on the ground during the first 25 years of my life. At one point in time I may have been the youngest person to perform a triple back salto on a teeterboard.
Megan Starr
BOARD MEMBER
I have been involved with circus since I was 8. I met my husband in circus when we were 12 and our oldest daughter is the youngest to have ever performed, being in her first show at only 6 weeks old.
Melissa Moore
BOARD MEMBER
For 13 years in a row, I was lucky enough to perform with my daughter Brianna in one or more acts in the Great Y Circus Show. From Mini Acro to Advanced Duo Cradle we trained, sweated and performed together. Best days ever!
Mark Shaffer
BOARD MEMBER
My fun fact is that I love backpacking. I have climbed Mt Whitney 3 times, have hiked all 200 miles of theJohn Muir Trail, and hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc which goes through France, Italy, and Switzerland.
Carly Scholte
BOARD MEMBER
Joined the circus when I was 5 years old and performed for 12 years. Although I no longer perform I still produce promotional videos and take photographs for The Great All American Youth Circus every year.
Eric Pendery
BOARD MEMBER
Damon Needelman
BOARD MEMBER
I became a magician member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood at age 14 and I'm still a performing magician today.
Maria Galvez
BOARD MEMBER
I have three girls who performed in circus for 10+ years. It quickly became a family affair when my husband joined in the fun. He performed with our girls in multiple shows and events over the years.
Amy Moyles
BOARD MEMBER
Circus has been a part of my life for over 20 years. It is my happy place. It’s where I’ve made life long friends and it’s where I’ve been known to participate in some pretty “crazy hijinx”. I have LOVED every crazy minute of it.
Ben Ver Steeg
BOARD MEMBER
I grew up watching the YMCA circus as a kid and thinking it would be amazing to actually get to perform in the show. Several decades later, I found myself hanging from the cradle 15 feet in the air with my wife and two of my kids all in the same trick together. The show is still magical every time. If it involves picking people up, swinging them around, or juggling on a ladder 20 ft in the air, I’m in. However, I can’t ride a unicycle to save my life…..
Stephanie Mitchell
BOARD MEMBER
I have two kids in the program and we have performed together since 2016. There is nothing quite like the YMCA circus experience!