Classes & Instructors
We are thrilled to bring you a diverse line-up of class topics and teachers from all over the world. If you can’t be at class session you can always watch the replay later. We are recording everything for you 😃
🕰️ Note: All class times are listed as Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5). If you live in a different time zone dateful.com can help you with the math.
– The Tw!st Team
Monday, March 14th
Monday, 3pm. Live on Zoom
THIS CLASS IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Just the Basics with Jetuan Whedon
Join Jetuan Whedon and learn the absolute basics of balloon art. No experience is needed for this class. Jetuan will be teaching skills for beginners and offering a fresh perspective to long-time artists. This class is free for anyone who wants to learn balloon art. If you are not ready to purchase a full registration for TW!ST, take this class first to test the waters!
Jetuan Whedon is a wife and mother originally from Louisiana, but has called Arizona home for the past 20 years. Her journey to balloon twisting came through experimenting with balloon décor for her daughter’s 16th birthday. In the fall of 2020, she found her daughter’s balloon kit that she’d gotten as a gift (about twenty 260s and a tiny book). It took her about 30 minutes to make a 5 petal flower. Her curious mind has helped her pick up skills beyond her experience level and she loves learning and sharing with others. This will be Jetuan’s first time teaching at a convention and she looks forward to sharing her unique thought process. “A balloon is a smile that you can carry!”
Tuesday, March 15th
Tuesday, 11am. Live on Zoom
Motors of Motivation with Leah Orleans
We will be kicking off the first full day of classes with Coach Leah Orleans from The ABCs of Fitness. She specializes in helping people identify their personal motivation engines, and calm their inner critic and imposter syndrome. Her session will be the perfect way to get yourself ready for all of the amazing classes to come!
Tampa, FL
Leah Orleans is a contortionist, entertainer and fitness instructor currently based out of St. Petersburg Florida after the Covid-19 pandemic grounded her tour. She is one half of the comedy acrobatic duo, Acrobatrix! that tours cruise ships, renaissance festivals, and universities. Growing up in the theater scene of Chicago, raised in a family of magicians, she has a unique perspective on the work-life balance of self employed entertainers.
Leah’s website: www.TheAbcsoffitness.com
Imposter Syndrome ebook download: https://mailchi.mp/theabcsoffitness/fl3p8e5fd9
Motivation Motor Link: https://take.quiz-maker.com/QBX5P7MRY
Book a 1:1 consultation with me: https://theabcsoffitness.com/zoom-lessons/ola/services/tw-st-consultation
Tuesday, 1pm. Live on Zoom
Simple Snack to Seriously Seuss with Marie Dadow
Marie spent an entire year developing over 500 unique designs using elements that either simplified the sculpture or challenged her to get a detailed piece. Both of these methods utilize components that can be used for an unlimited number of sculptures. Marie encourages everyone to look at these designs and envision how the individual segments can be used in your own creations. In this class you will learn an elephant from Dr. Suess and a fun candy cup design.
Phoenix, AZ
Marie Dadow has been twisting since 2003. She started twisting to entertain her children, but fell so in love with the art she was soon binge watching tutorials on VHS tape, attending local workshops and going to conventions. Living in SoCal meant her local jam group included some of the biggest names in the industry, something which she took complete advantage of. She earned her first twisting award in January, ’04, a mere eight months after watching those first tutorials. Since then she has created numerous tutorials of her own and taught at several conventions.
In 2021, Marie spent her time off challenging herself by creating close to 500 unique designs. Those designs ranged from vintage toys to classic cartoons to popular video game characters. Marie is eager to share how she created these intricate designs using versatile components used by twisters from beginner to master.
Tuesday, 3pm. Live on Zoom
Awesome Mix Vol 2 with Cody Williams
Join Cody to learn some of his current favorite designs to do in a working setting. He aims for 2-4 minute designs, including a pirate costume, floral variations, and his modular superhero. This class will teach balloons that every twister needs this in their arsenal as well as some ideas for interactive balloons.
Cody Williams has been twisting for 17 years. He started attending conventions within 4-months and has not stopped! Never “working” a day in his life, Cody has been a full-time twister/entertainer since he was 15 years old, starting in theme parks. He focuses on “powerful” designs that are fast but leave an impact on his audience. Cody has won several awards nationally and internationally including 1st place in the 3-min challenge at Twist & Shout.
Tuesday, 5pm. Live on Zoom
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Weaving with DJ Morrow
This class will provide an overview of several basic weaves and their appropriate uses, as well as how to create organic forms from standard weaves through tapering and curving. The techniques taught will provide you the tools to create large detailed sculptures for deliveries, deco-twisting, and artistic installations. With the power of balloon weaving, the only limits are your imagination and ambition.
Houston, TX
DJ Morrow is known for his fine art balloon compositions and classical painting recreations. His exploration of challenging subject matter serves to subvert expectations of what balloon art can be. He employs a wide variety of weaving and sculpting techniques to create detailed sculptures, captured with meticulous attention to lighting and composition. His mission in teaching is to provide the technical know-how and spark of inspiration needed to bring to life each twister’s unique artistic voice.
Wednesday, March 16th
Wednesday, 11am. Live on Zoom
Cuteness Balloonified with Jackie Ochitwa
Twist along with Jackie O as she teaches you how she fashions up some of her most loved twisted cuties. These never before taught designs are surprisingly easy to recreate and adorably sweet. Grab some markers, a pump and your 260s and join Jackie in Cuteness Balloonified.
Alberta, Canada
Jackie Ochitwa, CBA started twisting professionally in 2010 when she picked up a pump and some balloons and realized that her love of art would translate beautifully with latex as the medium. The former radio host launched her company With a Twist Balloon Creations that same year. Jackie is an award-winning, full-time balloon artist specializing in fun and fresh table décor and delivery pieces. She made her teaching debut in 2016 and has since taught across Canada, the United States, in Mexico, South America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Jackie loves seeing other balloon artists around the world using her Dollface line of printed balloon faces that are available through her online store at www.withatwist.ca.
Wednesday, 1pm. Live on Zoom
Just Be Yourself with Edwourral Daxon
Edwourral Daxon shares his philosophy on being your genuine self as a performer. Learn to take off the disguise of character and let your personality shine through. This class is perfect for anyone looking to up their performance game and create real connections with their audiences.
Nassau, Bahamas
Edwourral Daxon. The magic man. The balloon man. The gaming streamer. The YouTube guy. Vlogger. Voice Actor. And aspiring guitarist (if he could ever find the time to practice). He’s the awesome guy from The Bahamas who will definitely entertain you.
Wednesday, 3pm. Live on Zoom
First Step to Fashion: Beginner Dressmaking with Kristal Yee
If you’ve been wanting to foray into the world of balloon dresses but weren’t sure where to start, you’ll want to watch this class! Kristal has won awards for her dresses, and loves making wearable art that is fun, creative, and definitely eye-catching! She’ll cover the tools she uses, tips and tricks that she’s used and learned over the years, and you’ll be able to see a dress be made, before your very eyes. Be sure to jot down any questions for Kristal during the live Q&A session!
Vancouver, Canada
Kristal Yee is an award-winning balloon artist who has twisted in China, Australia and Italy, as well as across the United States (and Canada, of course!). She has, on more than one occasion, double stuffed balloons for dresses, and believes that if you can leave a convention with just one new tip or trick, it was money and time well spent. Kristal has yet to watch Tiger King, has made more than her fair share of banana bread over the past 2 years, and misses you all terribly. See you in the jam room!
Wednesday, 5pm. Live on Zoom
The Stuff we Never Taught with Balloon Scouts Dave & Buster
It has been brought to our attention (many times) that the promo video for the original Balloon Scouts Tour ™ contained many amazing balloon creations…none of which were actually taught during the tour. Well, we decided to right that wrong. Join us on our virtual camping expedition and learn some fireside favorites, including cute woodland creatures, snazzy binoculars and more wilderness survival essentials.
The year was 2013, the place was a van down by the river. Two goofballs and one skilled driver (thanks Gus Davis!) hit the road for a tour that would go down in history. Scout Master Buster, Jr Scout leader Dave and their fearless Manager Gus crisscrossed the country, braving wildfires, broken teeth, rogue apple crates, and pitchers of sprite to bring their unique balloon designs to YOU! Now they are back and this time they mean business!
Thursday, March 17th
Thursday, 11am. Live on Zoom
The Theatre of Balloons with the Fabulous Monsieur Sigrid
I will not pretend to present myself to you as a Balloonartist. When I see your incredible techniques, I think I’m mostly a nice trickster. In this class, I will explain my approach between styling, theater, architecture and balloons. How to become aware of your technique, your presence in the public, your body, and everything that makes up your personality to make it a strength. Understand that when you work the balloon in public, the least important thing is: THE BALLOON.
France
Sigrid La Chapelle’s first work as a visual artist on steel and light quickly led him to theater sets. From the set to the stage there is only one step that he decided to take in 2001 after resuming studies at the Jacques Lecoq School in Paris and at the Kiklos Teatro in Padua, Italy. Back in France, he worked with Jérome Savary who gave him a taste for excess.
In 2007 he joined the Cabaret des Fous where he created, from his experience as a clown and acrobat, the character of the Fabulous Monsieur Sigrid. It is in this troop that he will give birth to the Rabbit Eaters. Strongly impregnated with circus and music hall, his artistic research essentially revolves around visual and burlesque arts.
In 2008 he took up a balloon sculpture technique to create a hybrid performance concept flirting with design, fashion, architecture and theatre: Le Modeling Perform’Air. This unique performance brought him to twenty countries while opening the doors of luxury brands such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Guerlain or Dior and many more.
Today, he continues to develop his burlesque character, designs and co-writes the new shows Les Mangeurs de Lapin, directs and produces various magicians and circus artists.
In 2022 we find him under another hat, presenter of Cirque Phénix in the show Gaïa.
Thursday, 1pm. Live on Zoom
Hey Antonio, Let’s Twist Together with Antonio Bécares Rodriguez
Antonio will share with us some cool figures and advanced techniques that you can easily add to your repertoire to take your balloon sculpting to the next level. This class will include a super cute choo choo train for line work, a realistic parrot that scales from 160 to 350/360, a quick explanation of the Pinchline technique, a pinchline excavator (that can become very easily into a tank if the situation gets dangerous), a way to maximize the use of your balloons specifically made for this convention… “REVERS!T”, and most importantly, some tricks and tips from our loved art of twisting balloons.
Altea, Spain
Antonio Bécares Rodriguez is a balloon busker, ballon teacher, magician and performer. He was born in Altea, a beautiful small town on the south east of Spain, and started to twist balloons in 1996. Since 2009, Antonio has been teaching in the most important balloon conventions around the world, and in some smaller ones too. He loves sharing with and meeting fellow balloon artists. Antonio has won many competitions, including 2nd place in the 1st balloon design at Millennium Jam, second place in small figure at Twist & Shout, first place in the 3-min competition at Twist & Shout, and placed 1st in 4 out of the 4 times he participated at the 12-min competition at Twist & Shout. Antonio also won the last edition of the Iron Latex at the Millennium Jam in Belgium. He participated in big balloon projects with Guido Verhoef, Morgan Buisseret, Stone Chang, Airigami, Canniballoon. Antonio dedicates his life to his passion for balloons… passion for entertaining and passion for traveling… His original contributions include the pinchline, the twisted heart, the spinning concept and more. He always says “I never stop playing around with balloons…they make my life better and the life of the people around me a happier place”. Antonio is the number 12 from the first edition of the 2019 Pop Trading Cards.
Thursday, 3pm. Live on Zoom
Big & Cute with Denise van Doreen
Learn some of Denise’s favorite twisted figures using linkaloons and 360 balloons.
Thursday, 5pm. Live on Zoom
Cabbage Kids with Matt Falloon
The pandemic has meant that we now face a time where manufacturers are choosing to subtract from their range, rather than add. This means that as artists, we have lost colours and have fewer shapes to play with. But all is not lost! Limitations force creativity in unexpected ways! Cabbage Kids is a modular design system that can be used to adorable childlike figures that bring to mind classic cherubs, Hummel statues, and Cabbage Patch dolls. In addition to being cuter than a whole button factory, Cabbage Kids teaches some fantastic new techniques that can be used to create new, amazing shapes out of the balloons you already use. This is an intermediate to advanced class, but with practice, as well as Matt’s step-by-step video instructions, and available PDF notes, these techniques will be well within your grasp in no time. Click here to download the full pdf instructions for Cabbage Kids.
Sydney, Australia
Matt Falloon has been entertaining audiences and kids parties in Sydney for over a decade with his unique blend of creative balloon sculptures, balloon twisting, magic and comedy. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Matt designed and built all of the balloon props for the short film Twisted. Twisted went on to win third place at Tropfest 2014. Matt is also an Internationally recognized award winner! His accolades to date include; first prize for his small sculpture in Missourri 2013, second prize for his large sculpture and third prize for his stage performance in New York 2014, first prize for his small sculpture in Nevada 2015. Prizes from the international balloon twisting convention known as Twist & Shout.