Meet Butchie

Angela Buccinni Butch

Founder of ABCirque and The Muse, Artistic Director, Coach

A native of Buffalo, NY, Angela Buccinni Butch grew up as a dancer with a deep-rooted love for movement—and a constant desire to be upside down. After earning her BFA in Choreography and Dance from The Boston Conservatory, Angela moved to New York City, where she danced with The Chase Brock Experience and trained with the gravity-defying “PopAction” dance company STREB. She found her creative calling where circus, dance, and physical storytelling intersect, embracing the shared emotional journey that the performing arts offer.

In NYC, Angela’s career took flight—literally—and she was captivated by the unique trust, communication, and teamwork essential to a circus performance. Over her 30-year career, Angela has performed nationally and internationally as both a flyer and ground-based acrobat, specializing in dance, sway pole, perch pole, harness work, partner acrobatics, bullwhip, fire performance, bottle walking, and clowning. Her credits span renowned companies and productions, including Fuerza Bruta (NYC & international), Wayra NYC, Radio City Spring Spectacular, Grounded Aerial, The Aluminum Show world tour, Pilobolus, Circus y, Bordel Total, Pyromania Show, and Strut and Fret with Sway Pole (Australia). She has also directed and choreographed for brands such as Bloomingdale’s, Swarovski, Samsung, and Nike.

Angela is the founder and artistic director of The Muse and AB Cirque, a creative circus collective and training community-based in New York. ABCirque brings together professional performers, riggers, costume designers, and musicians to create immersive, narrative-driven circus experiences. Known for breaking the fourth wall with a diverse and dynamic cast, ABCirque offers both independently produced shows and bookings that keep audiences engaged and exhilarated.

Angela’s vision for ABCirque is to create a space where individuals—performers, students, or spectators—can push their mental and physical boundaries in a safe, inclusive environment. Reflecting on her journey, she shares: “The world between circus, dance, and storytelling is my home. Whether experiencing wonder as an audience member or breaking through limitations in training, this is where we discover what’s truly possible together.”

A Team That Flies Together…

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “I love seeing people's minds shift, whether an audience member watching a show or a student in class realizing new possibilities and potentials for themselves or others. That opening of the mind and heart gets me every time!”

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “A signed contract and safe flights for our artists ”

    Bio: Luna, our amazing behind the scenes coordinator and master of paperwork. Luna takes care of ABCirque’s administrative tasks and cares for our Emerald Circus City.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: "Being around creative and kind people, like everyone I've met through the ABCirque community! Taking long walks through the beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. Creative writing, sketch comedy, and challenging myself to learn a new skill every year!”

    Bio: Ali has spent 10 years building family engagement strategies and community partnerships for place-based organizations, with an eye toward equity and inclusion. At ABCirque, she supports program development and growth initiatives - helping us bring circus arts to more communities across NYC.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “When I see the growth in a child I’ve poured my effort, energy, and heart into."

    Bio: Maria is a passionate and accomplished aerial gymnast with over 15 years of experience dazzling audiences and empowering students. While her heart belongs to Aerial Lyra, her expertise spans a range of disciplines, including Aerial Silks, Straps, Hammock, Hand-to-Hand Acrobatics, Cyr Wheel, and Stretching.

    Since joining ABCirque in 2020, Maria has brought her love for the circus arts to life as a dedicated coach, helping students unlock their potential with her warm and inspiring teaching style. When she’s not mentoring the next generation of performers, you can find her soaring through the air in Moonrise The Show at Paradise Club NYC, where she continues to amaze and delight with her artistry.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “Supporting performance and skills of kids and adults that I teach!”

    Bio: Art is a dedicated acrobat and aerial gymnast with a lifelong passion for performance. With over 15 years of experience, he shines as a specialist in base acrobatics and brings exceptional skill to a variety of disciplines, including Hand-to-Hand Acrobatics, Solo and Pass Juggling, Aerial Silks, Straps, Hammock, and Cyr Wheel.

    Art has been recognized for his talent, earning a Gold Medal at the Junior Circus Festival of Ukraine (2004) and a Silver Medal at the Dolphin Games in Moldova (2002).

    Today, Art combines artistry and strength in his performances at Moonrise The Show at Paradise Club NYC, captivating audiences with his dynamic presence. As a coach, he shares his wealth of knowledge with students, fostering a love for circus arts and a commitment to excellence.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “When working in connection and collaboration with other people to achieve challenges we choose to tackle.”

    Bio: Yoni fell in love with the circus through the magic of partner acrobatics, sparking a journey that's been all about connection, creativity, and growth. Whether he's performing gravity-defying stunts, teaching acro to others, or working as a perch pole base and expert rigger, Yoni brings his passion and precision to everything he does.

    Outside the circus world, Yoni is equally devoted to making a difference. As Head Playworker for play:groundNYC, he creates joyful, empowering spaces where kids can play freely and develop confidence. For Yoni, it's all about uplifting people—whether on the ground or in the air.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “chocolate, movement, cats, community”

    Bio: Tegan is an NYC-based aerialist specializing in rope, silks, and sling, spending her best moments soaring through the air—and the rest dreaming up ways to fly higher and stronger. Though she always had a passion for movement, Tegan discovered circus arts on a whim and hasn’t looked back since.

    She has performed at notable New York venues, including the Slipper Room, Brooklyn Art Haus, The Deep End, Culture Lab LIC, and The Muse Brooklyn. As a teacher, Tegan focuses on intentional skill-building and effective progressions, guiding her students toward their aerial goals. She loves exploring dynamic, twisty sequences and encourages her students to develop their unique movement style and creative voice in the air.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “Spreading my passion for my art and knowing that I’m inspiring the next generation.”

    Bio: LUCIANY GERMÁN, a dancer/aerialist born and raised in the Bronx, New York, attended Lehman College where she studied modern dance and began her journey with STREB through the SLAM Remote program in 2013. Luciany has performed in various productions with STREB, notably the Picasso Circus at the Musée d’Orsay, and in FALLING & LOVING, a collaboration between the SITI Company and the STREB Extreme Action. Currently touring with Minty Fresh Circus. 

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “when I get to experience someone else's success and growth alongside them. Being apart of someone else’s journey is in some ways more special than your own.”

    Bio: Originally from Milwaukee Wisconsin, Jacob McKee is a multi-disciplined artist with experience in, singing, acting, designing, aerial arts, and was a Contrabass player for close to a decade. Upon moving to New York, Jacob immersed himself in the circus world and for the past 7 years has trained with many of the world's best circus coaches: most notably, Marie-Michelle Faber, Maximiliano Torandell, Lisbeth Mikoleit, Anna Vemizelos, Olaf Treibel and many others. He has been seen performing for multiple NYC based event companies and has been seen in Venues such as Legacy Castle, The Box, Slipper Room, and Paradise Club; and is a main cast member in the Immersive Dinner show MoonRise by Rigolo.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “Seeing my favorite music and performing artists live”

    Bio: Lex Alston is a New York based performing artist, teaching artist and clown. Inspired by play, their best work comes out when they get to interact directly with an audience.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “Wrangling the mirth out of NYC.”

    Bio: Mariko delights in physical storytelling and mischief. Award winning clown from Japan. Mariko is working in theater, circus, orchestra anything musical!

    Likes to show off her Tap with flair.

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “Seeing an aerialist fly through the air, trusting to the rigging that I set - Knowing my work helps them reach impossible heights!”

    Bio: Cere Coichetti is a NY-based artist and endurance athlete known for his work in body suspension and his adventurous spirit. He has completed marathons on all seven continents, including the Antarctic Ice Marathon, defying the odds after a skydiving accident left him nearly paralyzed at 18. Cere is also a Circus rigger, Bagpiper, Hiker, and is currently in school to become a licensed massage therapist!

  • What Makes Your Heart Soar: “Stepping onto the stage and watching people's faces and reactions, and watching them smile, truly makes my heart skip a beat.  I am so grateful every time I get the opportunity to be on stage, it's my favorite thing in the world and makes my heart soar!”

    Bio: Dia Seskin is a handbalancer, contortionist, and hula hoop artist based in New York City. With a background in gymnastics, dance, and theater, she creates captivating performances that weave a mesmerizing narrative. Combining her passion for artistry, balance, and strength, Dia defies the laws of gravity, leaving audiences spellbound with every move.

Our Pack of Pups

  • Ahava's heart soars with joy when crowned as the Queen, surrounded by an endless array of snacks fit for royalty; she basks in the admiration of her court, gracefully bestowing affection and attention upon all, for a true queen delights not only in being adored but in sharing her sparkling presence with everyone who shines within her realm.

  • Tikvah's heart soars with Ohana, embracing the vibrant spirit of her extended family, where in playful rough-and-tumble chases and long Lazy snuggles, binding together in an unbreakable
    love and connection. In her world, Ohana transcends physical closeness altho there can never be enough pets for this “ tiny “ lap dog ; it’s her self appointed job to keep everyone close that truly fills her heart.

Pups in spirit

  • What made Pumas heart soar was basking in a warm ray of sunshine that she has now become, and always celebrating the freedom and power of using her voice. There is never a time not to shout your truth boldly and proudly into the world !

  • Baloo's heart soared with the profound understanding that true love blossoms like daffodils from respecting one another's boundaries, nurturing both connection and personal sacredness. Baloo lives on in the play with shadows and good a roll in the grass