Katja Schumann born September 16, 1949 in Fredriksberg, Denmark, is a circus high school rider and an actress She is the daughter of Max Schumann (1916-2004), born into one of the circus world's oldest and most respected families. Although the family originated in Germany, the Schumanns of Copenhagen were in actuality Swedish, as is Katja, who held both Danish and Swedish nationalities. The new Cirkus Schumann folded its tents in 1983. In 1981 Katja appeared for the first time, during the winter season, at the Big Apple Circus in New York with her high school act, and she decided to settle there. She became a member of the circus's resident company and married its Director, Paul Binder. Katja Schumann has appeared in a number of feature films.