Juliana Neves is an internationally acclaimed dancer, aerial acrobat, choreographer, and educator with over 30 years of experience in the performing arts. Her remarkable career spans a diverse range of prestigious global projects, from Cirque du Soleil to the FIFA World Cup. A native of Brazil, Juliana’s journey began with gymnastics and a strong foundation in classical ballet, which eventually led her to circus arts and aerial performance.
In 1998, Juliana made history as the first artist from São Paulo to join Cirque du Soleil, where she quickly rose to prominence as both a soloist and main character in Dralion. She also played a key role in the company's Brazilian debut in 2006 and represented Cirque du Soleil at the prestigious International Circus Festival in Recife, Brazil, in 2003.
Between 2003 and 2015, Juliana was a prominent member of Belgium’s renowned dance collective les ballets C de la B, led by visionary director Alain Platel. During this time, she contributed to an array of innovative productions, including the award-winning WOLF at the Paris Opera and CHOEURS at the Madrid Opera. She also co-created the groundbreaking circus-dance production Jump or Fall in Belgium, cementing her reputation as both a performer and creator.
In addition to her work as a performer, Juliana is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of artists. She has taught aerial technique and dance at ESAC, one of Belgium’s leading circus schools, and conducted workshops and masterclasses around the world, including in Brazil, China, Italy, the US, and several European countries.
In 2014, Juliana served as Artistic Coordinator, Casting Director, and Acrobatic Choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. She was also invited as the Director Guest Artist for the 2016 “Panama Area” Aerial Dance Festival. From 2017 to 2020, Juliana worked as a teacher, coach, and part of the creative team at Circus Juventas in St. Paul, Minnesota.
During the global pandemic, Juliana returned to Brazil, where she founded a circus school in Tibau do Sul, a coastal city in the northeast. In 2023 and 2024, she was the Head of School and Artistic Director at Circus Center in San Francisco, where she now resides with her family.Juliana holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from KU Leuven in Belgium. Fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Dutch, she is a true global citizen dedicated to the artistry, education, and expansion of circus and dance.
