Eric Bates grew up in Fayston, Vermont and now lives in Montréal, Quebec. Since graduating from the National Circus School of Montréal he has worked professionally as a contemporary circus performer specializing in cigar box juggling and Russian bar, and is the co-founder of Cirque Barcode. Besides making three original creations with Cirque Barcode, he has participated in numerous other creations with companies such as Cirque du Soleil, The 7 Fingers, Cirque Eloize, and more. He is the author of The Contemporary Circus Handbook.