Like many violinists, Veronica Gan dreamed of stepping into the spotlight. She just never imagined it would be shining 30 feet above the stage. For the Southlake resident, this chance ascent began with a call to perform at Jerry Jones’ 70th birthday party, which required playing Tchaikovsky while suspended above a star-studded crowd. The classically trained musician said yes without hesitation, launching an unexpected aerial violin career that’s been anything but conventional. Since then, she’s brought her breathtaking blend of classical music and aerial artistry to world-class stages, captivating audiences far beyond Texas. Back home, this Dragon mom balances motherhood and a fast-growing real estate career, all while continuing to wow local audiences as part of Cirque: Frost, playing at Glass Cactus through January 2026.
I STARTED VIOLIN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL… just another kid in the Arlington school system learning an instrument. In music classes, I was told I’d never be successful because I wasn’t the most well-behaved student. Years later, when I was accepted into the New England Conservatory, I thought I’d proven them wrong. But even there, I felt overlooked. So now, soloing around the country with major orchestras feels like a quiet victory. It’s validation that talent doesn’t always fit neatly into the mold others expect.
MY FIRST AERIAL VIOLIN GIG… came completely by chance. I got a call about performing at Jerry Jones’ 70th birthday party — they needed a violinist willing to play while suspended thirty feet in the air. Everyone thought it sounded crazy. I said yes immediately.
THAT PERFORMANCE OPENED THE DOOR TO… a world I never expected: one that eventually led me to solo in front of major orchestras like the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, this time soaring above the stage instead of standing on it.
PLAYING IN THE AIR CHANGES EVERYTHING… your body, your sense of balance, your awareness of space. The first time, I realized how physically demanding it was and how much I loved the challenge. It wasn’t just music anymore – it was athletic, emotional and entirely new.
I FOUND MYSELF DRAWN INTO THE CIRCUS WORLD… surrounded by performers who could twist, flip and fly with a mix of grace and grit I’d never seen before. They became like family.
THE FIRST TIME I TRIED TO DO A PULL UP… on the silks, I didn’t move an inch. Three days later, I was still sore, but hooked. Aerial acrobatics is the hardest workout I’ve ever done – but the most rewarding.
THE CIRQUE WORLD PUSHES YOU… to blend artistry with athleticism. I’ve since performed everywhere from the Hollywood Bowl to arenas in Canada. Recently, I joined Cirque Frost at the Gaylord Texan, where I play the “ice queen” violinist surrounded by acrobats and dancers. The costume alone is a spectacle: bendable mirrors, electric blue accents everywhere, crystals catching the light. I serve as a thread that ties all the acts together, connecting their energy with the music.
OFFSTAGE, MY LIFE LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT… but in many ways, it’s just as creative. I grew up helping my parents remodel houses, and that turned into a love for design and real estate. A home is kind of like a stage: every element matters, every change tells a story. Now that I’m licensed, I get to help people find or create the spaces that feel like theirs.
MUSIC AND REAL ESTATE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN YOU THINK… both require flexibility, instinct and vision. You have to adapt, problem-solve and understand what people need before they do. Whether it’s a client or an audience, you’re guiding them toward an experience.
I GOT THE NICKNAME “ROCKET RONI”… after a show where I was literally launched off the stage, mid-performance. That nickname stuck, and honestly, I think it fits. It captures the essence of what I do – I’m always moving, flying, doing a little something wild.
TODAY, I’M FOCUSED ON BALANCE… between performing, parenting and my real estate work. It’s taken years to find peace in the chaos, but I’ve learned that every leap, literal or figurative, teaches you something. I’ve rebuilt homes, flown through arenas and soloed with orchestras, raising two Dragons along the way.
AT THE HEART OF IT ALL… is a belief that art and life are meant to move. Music, motion, creativity, even reinvention – they all feed each other. Every day brings a new challenge, a new project, a new trick to master. That’s what keeps me reaching higher.