Today we’d like to introduce you to Tollina Banh.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been someone who’s had to adapt. I was born in California, but my family moved to North Carolina, and growing up I moved around a lot. Along the way, I also had to overcome some major health challenges. Those experiences taught me resilience early on, but they also made me pretty reserved.
College was really the turning point for me. I finally started coming out of my shell, and the festival community played a huge role in that. It introduced me to a space where creativity, self-expression, and authenticity were celebrated, and it helped shape who I am today.
During my senior year of college, I picked up hula hooping as a hobby. At the time, it was purely for me. It became a form of movement, healing, and self-love. My flow arts journey was something deeply personal—I never imagined it would become a career.
Everything changed one afternoon at Pullen Park. I met a circus performer who saw me hooping and asked, “Have you ever thought about doing this on fire?” My answer was, “Not really.” She invited me over to learn. I remember being nervous, but she walked me through fire safety, let me borrow her props, and helped me take that first leap. The moment I spun fire for the first time, I was hooked. I went home that same day and bought my own fire props.
Today, six years later, I’m a professional fire performer doing what I genuinely love. While I’ve explored different careers—from working as an R&D scientist to becoming a B2B sales representative—performance has remained the constant thread throughout my life. It’s where I feel the most connected to myself and to others.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that something that began as a personal healing practice turned into a career I’m deeply passionate about. My journey has taught me that some of the biggest opportunities come from simply being open to new experiences, and that passion can take you places you never expected.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s what has shaped me into who I am today.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was being diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was 17 years old, during my senior year of high school. At an age when most people are focused on graduation and planning for college, I was navigating surgeries, recovery, and learning how to move forward after a life-changing diagnosis. That experience taught me resilience at a young age and gave me a deep appreciation for my health and for living life fully.
As an adult, the challenges have looked a little different. I’ve balanced a full-time 9-to-5 career, worked extra hours in marketing side hustles, built a business as a professional fire performer, maintained friendships and relationships, and managed a busy performance schedule. There are definitely moments where it feels overwhelming. It’s impossible to be 100% in every area of your life all the time, and I’ve had to learn that it’s okay to ask for help, set boundaries, and give myself grace.
What I’ve learned through both my health journey and my career is that success isn’t about never struggling—it’s about continuing to show up, adapting, and staying connected to what you’re passionate about. Those challenges have made me stronger, and they’ve given me a greater appreciation for every opportunity I’ve had, both on and off the stage.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional fire performer and flow artist with over six years of experience creating immersive, high-energy performances for festivals, corporate events, weddings, private parties, and community celebrations. I specialize in fire hoop, fire fans, dragon staff, and other flow arts that combine technical skill with storytelling and artistry.
What I’m most known for is the energy I bring to every performance. I don’t just perform tricks—I create an experience. My goal is to make people feel something, whether that’s excitement, wonder, or inspiration. Every performance is an opportunity to connect with an audience and create a memorable moment.
What I’m most proud of is that this career grew from a deeply personal journey. Flow arts started as a way for me to heal, build confidence, and reconnect with myself. I never set out to become a professional performer, but through dedication, continuous learning, and saying yes to new opportunities, I built a career doing something I genuinely love.
I think what sets me apart is my authenticity. Because my journey began as a form of self-expression rather than a business, that passion still shines through every time I perform. I also bring a unique perspective from my diverse background. I’ve worked as an R&D scientist, a B2B sales representative, brand ambassador, and now as a performer. Those experiences have made me both creative and professional. I understand how to communicate with clients, adapt to different audiences, and deliver a polished, reliable performance while staying true to the art that inspired me in the first place.
At the end of the day, I’m proud to show people that following an unexpected passion can lead to something extraordinary. If I can leave an audience smiling, inspired, or believing in the possibility of pursuing what lights them up, then I’ve done my job.
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is living a life that’s aligned with who you are and making a positive impact on the people around you. It’s not just about financial achievements or recognition—it’s about waking up excited to do what you love, continuing to grow, and knowing you’re making a difference.
As a performer, success is seeing the joy on someone’s face after a show or inspiring someone to try something they never thought they could do. As a professional, it’s knowing I’ve given my best, stayed true to my values, and continued learning along the way.
My journey has taught me that success isn’t a destination—it’s something you build every day through resilience, consistency, and being willing to take chances. If I’m growing as a person, creating meaningful connections, and doing work that I’m passionate about, then I consider myself successful.
Pricing:
- LED (lights) Entertainment: rates start at $150/hour
- Fire Entertainment: rates start at $350
- Custom act: hoop jams, roaming character performance, flow arts workshop: rates start at $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lunaperformance.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tollinaa.lunaflow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tollinalunaperformance?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.gigsalad.com/tollina_luna_raleigh
