Jefferson Freire

2023

During my early years, I lived with my mother in the heart of a Brazilian suburb in São Paulo, Brazil. I first encountered the art of juggling at the age of fourteen. In many ways, it saved my life. I turned to juggling and studied under Brazilian street performer Anderson Pereira de Silva (now considered one of the best jugglers of South America). Soon, my clubs and I were inseparable. What began as a recreational hobby quickly grew into an opportunity for the extraordinary. I started working in small circuses like Circo Tapias Voadores and Circo Montreal. In 2008, I became a juggling teacher at the first circus school in Diadema. In the following years, I performed at Circo di Napoli, Circo Spacial and Circo da América Gelatina, while also participating in national and international juggling conventions – performing and teaching. In 2012, I joined Circo Universo Casuo, one of the most prestigious circus companies in Brazil. With Circo Universo, I performed in 24 states around Brazil as well as internationally: in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia. In November 2017, I landed in Las Vegas to participate in the international World Juggling Federation (WJF) competing in Combat Juggling and placing 4th. I was the second Brazilian in history to compete. The following year, I decided to settle in the Bay Area. I began participating in various juggling festivals in the West Coast, in cities such as Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas. I performed in many public schools and I have helped many communities throughout the Bay Area by sharing my art. I was a juggling and unicycle teacher at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Soon after, I joined Circus Bella and became an official member. In 2021, I competed in Las Vegas at the World Juggling Federation again, winning gold medal at the Intermediate Championship – I was proud to be the first Brazilian in history to win at such an internationally recognized festival. In 2023, I ministered juggling workshops at the Circus Center San Francisco, teaching juggling at the Prescott Circus Theater in Oakland and supported the AcroSports, performing at the Circus lab for a whole season.

I love what I do, and I love sharing my knowledge with the community. I feel honored to work at AcroSports, a space that cares so much about making a positive impact in their community. I believe that sharing knowledge is sowing wisdom. It is a noble attitude that enriches and multiplies greatly when shared.

When I’m not working, I love to study and play my violin. Enjoying classical music concerts, visiting the circus, theater and museums or reading arts and philosophy books.