Ariana (she/her) is Chinese-Canadian, born and raised in Tkaronto, colonially known as Toronto. Since childhood she has loved the arts, a love affair that began with her career as an elite rhythmic gymnast, competing provincially, nationally, and internationally in the aesthetic athletic sport.

Although she loved the arts, she pursued an academic route for her undergraduate degree and in 2013 graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours B.A. with High Distinction in Anthropology. Ariana credits this part of her journey as one that has shaped her analytical and critical worldview.

For over ten years, Ariana was an aerial circus artist who performed and taught both locally and internationally as an artist, choreographer, and instructor. In 2015, she completed her Instructor Certification in Circus Arts from the esteemed École Nationale de Cirque, in Montreal. She continued to teach aerial arts in Toronto with a passion for movement and focus on technique and critical analysis, until 2020.

In 2017, Ariana received her post-graduate certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management from Humber College. Since then she has dedicated her career to arts management and producing live performing arts experiences, both big and small - collaborating and working with local, Canadian, and international artists and companies.