Category: Aerial Artists Community

How did you get interested in aerial arts?
I got interested in aerial in 2006. I saw a posting for a class with lovely evocative and vague language about flying and such. As a budding professional dancer and climbing gym manager (at that time), I thought that whatever aerial dance turned out to be, I wanted in! That class turned out to be fabrics, which is as good a place to start as any.

What do you love about aerial arts?
I love sussing out how things that appear to defy physics actually work. And I love being able to do things that not everyone can do. (Excuse a little vanity) I do like to be impressive.

What are you currently working on?
Currently I’m working on planning for AAUs summer programs, gathering games for the kids, coordinating instructors, sparking excitement for participants. Other current projects include Directing Student Performing Company’s first Fringe Fest show and reviving a single point trapeze piece for Body Logic Dance Festival in August.

https://vimeo.com/195802889

How did you get interested in aerial arts?
I first saw Cirque du Soleil at Disney World my senior year of high school and loved it! As a sophomore in college I was invited to perform in a “vertical dance” piece in rope and harness at Winthrop University. It was a natural fit – the air just made sense to me, and I was hooked.

What do you love about aerial arts?
I love the way it offers an extension of a stage. Seeing bodies fly through the air is so thrilling to watch, and even more fun to do! It challenges the body in both strength and proprioception, so I never get bored. I also love the creative process, and getting to build shows with fellow aerialists, musicians, actors, etc. I recently joined a performance group in Boulder called Flight Collaborative, directed by April Moore Skelton and Megan Cattau. I’ll be working on a new piece soon, probably an invented apparatus.

What are you currently working on?
I am currently growing the Born to Fly™ Aerial Teacher Training and Certificate Program, and teaching with Rebekah Leach at AerialWorks in Castle Rock, CO. I recently trained teachers in Calgary, Canada. I’m also helping Rebekah develop more curriculum resources for AerialDancing.com.

Teachers: Castle Rock has a whole summer of teacher trainings available:http://www.borntoflyaerial.com/

How did you get interested in aerial arts?
As a kid, i was always climbing, swinging and tumbling, but i took a 20 year break and forgot all about it. One day i came across the intro classes in a newsletter and decided to give it a go. I fell right back in love, and have been a passionate student ever since!

What do you love about aerial arts?
Where to start? I love that it both challenges and inspires me to be better. I’ve become stronger, fitter and more flexible without suffering through a single dull gym workout! I’ve made friends at the studio, and the support ( both literal and moral!) and encouragement that everyone gives each other is amazing. The creative and performing aspects push me out my comfort zone and have made me a more balanced and confident person.

What are you currently working on?
I’ve been working on heel hangs and side planche for a while, and I will be for a while yet – they are going to take some strong muscles! You can always catch my progress on Instagram @megan.greenie.

How did you get interested in aerial arts?
I had the opportunity to learn aerial fabrics from Elsie Smith as a dancer in college. I wasn’t very strong then and it was in Georgia (super humid and sweaty) so I was always sticking to the fabrics and getting frustrated. Years later when I moved to Utah for graduate school, Julianna Hane had just started Revolve Aerial Dance, so I gave it another try and somehow it just clicked.

What do you love about aerial arts?
I love training and teaching aerial arts because it is empowering and gratifying to see tangible progress in myself and my students. In dance, it’s not always so simple to recognize and celebrate achievements. But in aerial work, the difference between not being able to do a certain skill and then attaining it is very clear!

What are you currently working on?
I just finished choreographing the group trapeze piece for the Spring Repertory show, which was exciting because it’s the first time I’ve choreographed for an ensemble with an advanced skill set all on the same apparatus. Next up, I’m working on material for the Santa Barbara Floor to Air Festival, where I’ll be teaching and performing in May.

https://vimeo.com/195389138