Meet Adam Noble, a Member of SANCA’s Board of Directors
Adam Noble joined SANCA’s Board of Directors in 2017 and currently chairs SANCA’s Development Committee. He works as a Business Development Executive for aerospace at Boyd Corporation, and has a degree in engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Adam served in the Navy as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer. Prior to having kids, Adam was an avid swing dance competitor, performer, teacher, and DJ. In addition to work, family, and SANCA, Adam is a zealous wine collector, a slow but enthusiastic runner, and an ardent Seattle Sounders supporter.
SANCA: How did you become involved with SANCA?
Adam: My wife Ammi took a trampoline class at SANCA before we were even married. After we had our daughter Leah, Ammi and Leah tried the Baby & Me class. Now Leah is 11 and she’s a performer in the Nimbus Circus troupe.
My first personal experience with SANCA was as parent with my son Cuyler when we took the Baby & Me class. Now I take the Adult General Circus where I work on my juggling. I also love trampoline and German Wheel, but I prefer to leave aerial arts to people with a higher pain threshold. Ammi and Leah are both still at SANCA multiple times a week, either in the fly tent or main space, or for Leah with Nimbus. I still intend to take a flying trapeze class one of these days.
SANCA: How has SANCA impacted your life?
Adam: My daughter Leah has experienced significant growth in confidence and physicality in learning to work hard as a circus artist and performer. She persisted in auditions for Nimbus after she didn’t get into the group the first time. For me, I’ve had an opportunity to try a lot of new skills and classes: trampoline, juggling, German Wheel, Strength & Flex, and wire walking are just a few.
SANCA means a lot to my family and it is my biggest commitment in giving back to the community through Board service and support. It is an enriching community for me and my family and we believe in the mission of SANCA.
SANCA: Do you have a favorite circus discipline?
Adam: I like juggling a lot, and I also enjoy balancing on the rolling globe — that is a lot of fun and I took to it more quickly than I thought I would.
SANCA: What inspired you to serve SANCA’s community as a Board Member?
Adam: I wanted to do more volunteering and community service. One day I was in SANCA’s observation room watching SANCA’s founder, Jo Montgomery, work with a young student who uses a wheelchair. He was practicing handbalancing with Jo’s guidance and it was so impressive!
I realized that SANCA was really making a difference through their Social Circus approach, the Every Body’s Circus program, and the ethos that CIRCUS IS FOR EVERY BODY. Ammi and I attended the annual Up with a Twist gala shortly after that, and the board president Gaye McNutt introduced me to another Board member, Nora, and we started talking about board service.
SANCA: We’re facing challenges now with the COVID-19 pandemic. How has your view of SANCA’s role as an arts organization in Seattle changed or been influenced by this challenge?
Adam: I am really pleased with the way SANCA has maintained a connection with the Seattle and circus community and the support these communities have provided to aid SANCA. Online classes and shows have been a very positive experience during this time. It’s really special.
SANCA: Given the recent incidents of injustice and racism, and long-standing inequities that are profoundly affecting black and brown people right now, do you have thoughts on how the arts in general, and SANCA in particular, can support efforts for justice and equity?
Adam: Shortly before the COVID pandemic started SANCA launched a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to advise and guide our organization’s actions in that area. It’s a good start, but we have so much work to do. It’s very important that we listen to and seek greater engagement with our BIPOC community and increase our diversity and inclusivity – among the Board and beyond. I feel like SANCA has done well in working with LGBTQ communities, but we have more work to do with racial equity.
SANCA: Add any additional information you’d like to share?
Adam: I like SANCA a lot and I want everybody else to like it too.
Interview by Jeff Deveaux, Development Director
