About Toni

Toni was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. She stumbled upon performing as a career by a chance meeting with one of the people setting up the first tertiary circus school in the southern hemisphere. Thinking it would be fun for a year, she enrolled. Then she returned for three years full time study in circus training.

Achievements

One of Toni's most memorable gigs as a freelance performer was hanging from a trapeze suspended from a bicycle on a wire, which in turn was suspended between two high buildings.

Despite this lofty achievement she went looking for a new challenge, and in 2003 she took her own show "Minnie Maniac" on the road, touring through Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Holland and Germany.

In 2006, Toni ran away from the circus and enrolled at University. Expecting to struggle after a long break from study, she was surprised to finish her first year at the top of the School for Science and Engineering, gaining an alumni award for Academic Excellence in the process. She continued in this fashion, winning multiple awards and scholarships and finishing on the Dean's Honour List. She completed her Science undergraduate degree with a double major in Biology and Psychology.

All this and UniSmart too.

However when she went looking for a 'real job' she soon realised she was not cut out to work all day in a lab with the same people. Performing is her passion and she believes she is designed to enthuse and inspire through the medium of entertainment.

Toni joined UniSmart in true pioneering spirit in 2010. She is the first ever female UniSmart presenter and paves the way for others to follow. If only there was a way to incorporate the hula hoop routine...