Flipside Circus is excited to welcome Jian Nie as our new Head of Circus!

Jian brings over 20 years of international experience as both a world-class acrobat and a dedicated circus teacher. His journey began in China, training at the Wuhan Acrobatics Arts School before performing with the Wuhan Acrobatics Troupe and the Hunan Acrobatics Troupe. Along the way, he toured the world—from Australia to Europe and North America—earning gold and silver awards at some of the world’s most prestigious circus festivals and even performing at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games closing ceremony.

But Jian’s story isn’t only about performance—it’s about teaching and sharing circus. Most recently, he worked as a circus teacher at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Melbourne, specialising in handstands. At NICA, Jian designed courses, built training plans, and guided students from their first handstand to the creation of original performance works. His teaching goes beyond technique: he focuses on safety, progression, and creativity, helping young artists build strong foundations while developing their own unique voices.

In addition to his expertise in handstands, Jian teaches a wide range of specialties including Chinese pole, hoop diving, straps, teeterboard, slack wire, and acrobatics. He also holds qualifications in training and assessment, fitness, and yoga, giving him a well-rounded approach to coaching.

What excites Jian most about joining Flipside is the opportunity to work with young people and communities here in Brisbane. He shares Flipside’s belief that circus builds confidence, resilience, and creativity—and he’s eager to help shape programs that support both emerging professionals and new beginners.

Please join us in giving Jian a very warm Flipside welcome—we can’t wait for you to meet him in the training space!