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MISSOULA- The art of contemporary circus and aerial acrobatics isn't as popular in the United States as it is in many other places of the world, but a connection originating in the land-down-under has brought an aspiring aerialist to Montana.

Australian Kristi Wade came to Missoula to receive tutelage from Instructor Holly Rollins. Wade's dream is to perform aerial hoop for Cirque du Soleil, something which Rollins has accomplished in her career.

"[Rollin's] kind of like the elder version of me. She's gone on the path I want to take so she's perfect for where I'm heading," Wade said.

Rollins has instructed at the National Institute of Circus Arts in Australia for three years in addition to performing with Cirque du Soleil,

One of her pupils would later go on to instruct Wade, connecting her with Rollins who had moved back to Missoula and started up her own aerial arts training company, Studio Cirque.

"Kristi is very resourceful, she's very determined, and she's persistent with her goals and she also has that sort of laid-back Australian thing about her where she doesn't complain so I love working with Kristi."

The aerial hoop demands a toll both physically and mentally. Routines demand superb endurance and physical fitness and the act of spinning can leave one feeling sick. Wade's constant training has given her plenty of aches and pains.

"I've had a lot of ripped hands and ripped ankles and nausea where I couldn't eat dinner some nights but now after the five weeks have come I'm really happy because all of a sudden it doesn't bother me anymore so it just shows that you can if you really really want something," Wade explained.

Wade has enjoyed her time in Missoula and now that she is comfortable spinning she must continue to work on her routine. Wade is currently on holiday in Canada with her mother, but she plans to return to Missoula for more training and will attend Cirque du Soleil auditions in September.