What is aerial dance?  

Aerial dance is a subgenre of modern dance that was born in the early 1970s. Modern dancers had explored the floor and were ready to explore the vertical space. The first aerial dancers used a dance trapeze. Unlike a traditional circus trapeze, it was hung low to the ground and by a single point allowing it to spin and move in a circle. Over time, more apparatuses were used and explored while being mindful the the dance roots.

The lineage of aerial dance is a topic that is often discussed in the community. Terry Sendgraff was the mother of aerial dance. She taught Nancy Smith of Frequent Flyers and Susan Murphy of The Marsh and Canopy Studios. Fallon first learned of the art form from Frequent Flyers in 2010 and studied under the direction of Nancy. In 2018, Susan asked In the Wings to perform at The Marsh Studio. In the Wings is honored and humbled to be following in the footsteps of these incredible women.

In the Wings strives to combine modern dance with the aerial circus arts seamlessly. Our dancers continuously train in both aerial arts as well as ballet, modern, contemporary, and jazz.