Get in someone’s face: duo trapeze! with Leah & Bayard

Get cozy with people on the trapeze! We will explore the fundamentals of basing & flying on the horizontal bar apparatus. Topics will include partner warm-ups, basing positions, flyer go-to’s & foundational partner momentum & timing. Come with a partner or be prepared to base & fly...no whining!

This workshop is appropriate for Intermediate+ level aerial students.

Strict pre-reqs include:

• Minimum 1yr aerial experience (as a soloist, previous partnering experience not required)

• Ability to invert in the air

• Ability to recite at least one limerick while upside down 

• Ability to climb vertical apparatus

• Fundamental understanding of basic body positions (pike, straddle, C shape)

About your instructors: Bayard & Leah have been working together since 2017, with a combined total years circus experience of nearly 20 years. As a duo, they teach duo-trapeze & partner acrobatics classes at Gravity Aerial Arts in addition to workshops & private lessons. Together they perform partner acrobatics, duo-trapeze, acro-trap fusion as well as partnering on various invented apparatus (like the aerial chandelier) for corporate & private events in addition to casting with the Handsome Little Devils, In the Wings Aerial Dance, Aircats Aerial Arts, the Circus Collective, RAW Artists, Thrill Entertainment & the Phantom Circus.

Contemporary Jazz with Jarrett Rashad

Contemporary Jazz combines elements of African, Modern, Jazz, and classical Ballet. Striving to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements; Contemporary Jazz will focus on character development techniques paired with athletic, dynamic motion.

Pre-requisites: Open to all but designed for passionate Intermediate to Advanced level students.

About your instructor: Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Jarrett Rashad has worked with; Lion King the Broadway Musical, Cirque Du Soleil, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and Molodi Extreme Body Percussion. 

A student of the legendary Joel Hall of Joel Hall Dancers, Jarrett has worked under such highly acclaimed artists as Willdabeast, Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo, Mia Michaels, Paul Mitchell, Ray Mercer, Homer Bryant, Randy Duncan, Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar, Kishema Pendu, Comfort Fedoke, Cardi B, Nicky Jam, Steve Aoki, Black Eyed Peas, Yusuf Nasir, Nigel Lythgoe, Brian Friedman and mentor Kirby Reed. 

Jarrett continues to distinguish himself in the dance world as a choreographer for Cirque Du Soleil’s charity production ‘Amanzi’ under the direction of Hassan El Hajjami; a modern dance Artist In Residence for UNLV;  and faculty at several nationally acclaimed studios, conservatories, and performing arts centers. 

Jarrett has created and led outreach programming for over 15 years and continues to inspire as a teaching artist with Denver Schol of the Arts, Colorado Ballet, Boulder Ballet, and Collaboratory Complex. Jarrett serves as Artistic Director of his 501c3 entitled Jarrett Rashad Dance Theater, serving the communities of Colorado and beyond. 

Jarrett currently plays Sir. Wilfred in the Denver-based Fever Entertainment and NETFLIX collaboration, The Bridgerton Experience.  

Dynamic Sling with Anastasia Timina

This class will be focused on the pathways of dynamic movement, and transitioning that movement around the sling. We will be learning different beats and beat sequences, drops, and rotations (such as elbow circles) and the sling theory behind why different transitions work and how to connect them into your existing vocabulary. Great for helping anyone interested in learning beats and momentum on rope or fabric, for anyone wanting to add more dynamic movement into their sling vocabulary, or anyone interested in improving their sling theory understanding.

Pre-requisites: Ages 12+. Must be able to do a full straddle up in the air (straight arm straddle up not required), must have some basic sling vocabulary: seated straddle, back straddle, single knee hang, single knee crucifix (half seated straddle), standing arabesque, crossback straddle, gazelle, front balance, hollowbody, half hip-key, ribhang.

About your instructor: Anastasia has been training since 2011 and has been performing since 2013. Anastasia enjoys all forms of aerial including rope, silks, sling, trapeze, invented apparatus, and sometimes lyra. She completed the Aerial Teacher Training Program in January of 2016 and since has been working as a coach to help others discover the joy of aerial and their potential to fly. She hopes that she can help achieve each students individual goals, help them find their own artistic voice and influences, and hone their abilities.

Contemporary Dance Movement with Ashley Eaves Sonnier

Join this dance class with Ashley Eaves Sonnier! During this session we will explore expressive movement and combine modern, ballet, and jazz elements. The class will include a warm up, across the floor combinations, and phrase work.

Pre-requisites: Basic dance vocabulary knowledge and one to two years of dance preferred.

About your instructor: Ashley started dancing at the age 3 in tap, ballet, and jazz at Dance Stop Centre in Louisiana. During college, she joined Lake Charles Civic Ballet and became principal dancer. After college, Ashley moved to Houston, Texas and had her first taste of the aerial arts. In 2016, she moved to Colorado and started pursuing dance and aerial arts more passionately. She has trained and performed with Gravity Aerial Arts, Iluminar Aerial, and MOTH. Ashley is also a performing member of Thrive Ballet and Davis Contemporary Dance Company.

Aerial Dance Act Creation with Fallon Voorheis-Mathews

Learn how to create a cohesive performance from our own Artistic Director! In this class we will learn how to use structured improv and other tools to create an aerial or ground dance act. In this class we will play several improv games on both the ground and in the air. Students will move at their own level. We will also spend time working on ways to bring different emotions and movement qualities into our performance. Students should come with an open mind and supportive attitude.

Pre-requisites: All levels welcome.

About your instructor: Fallon has been a mover her entire life starting with ballet and gymnastics as a toddler. After injuries prevented her from pursuing her gymnastics career, she studied dance under Tony Coppola at Mesa State College. Fallon was introduced to aerial dance in 2010 and instantly fell in love with the art form. She started her training at Frequent Flyers as a member of the apprentice company and spent 6 years with Iluminar Aerial where she wore many hats including Assistant Director. Over the years, Fallon has studied with many different companies and artists including Tanya Burka, Annabelle D’Artois, Daniel Sullivan, Ukoiya Mastin, Elsie Smith, TSNY-LA, the Imperial Flyers High Flying Trapeze Club and most recently with Hanne Coecklberghs and Justine Arden.

Heels with Megan Hall

Heels is a blend of dance forms including jazz and hip hop incorporating technique from ballet and contemporary for form, balance, and floor work, plus the elements of performance, character and sensuality. We will start with a warm up focused on isolations, flexibility and ankle strength, move into across the floor phrases and culminating in choreography. Heels are not required but bring your sass!

Pre-requisites: Previous dance experience preferred as the class will be taught at the intermediate level

About your instructor: Megan started dancing at 9 years old, studying ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern. She minored in Dance at Knox College and won awards for choreography, including the New Voices award at Dance Chicago in 2008. After college Megan obtained a Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling now practicing as a dance/movement therapist for children and adolescents with trauma and developmental disorders. Megan started her aerial journey in 2016, gradually conquering her fear of heights in sling, fabric and dance trapeze. She is a Professional Company Member with Iluminar Aerial and In the Wings. Megan treasures the opportunity for creativity, collaboration and storytelling through aerial dance.