Category: Staff

Instructor Since she could walk, Macy has had an irresistible urge to climb and test her limits, so when she discovered circus she knew immediately she had found one of her greatest passions in life. She thrives on the combination of creativity, artistry, and physical challenge that circus offers. Macy spends most of her energy in the air… Continue reading Macy Smart-Zimmerman

Instructor Liz took her first aerial class in 2014 on a whim, thus altering the course of her life. Growing up in Seattle, Liz was into rock climbing, hiking, and dance. After a decade away from home she returned home to find an incredible welcoming community at Versatile Arts/New Moon. Falling in love with all… Continue reading Liz Young

Instructor Lauren Kehl is an aerial coach, Pilates instructor, and personal trainer based in Seattle, WA who has been coaching for over 10 years. Starting her aerial journey as a recreational adult at age 28, Lauren has a particular gift for working with adult beginners and students who struggle, and strives to teach in a… Continue reading Lauren Kehl

Instructor Kyla (she/her) grew up here in Western Washington. She has been teaching in some fashion since she was 14: piano & vocal lessons, as a preceptor for student midwives, and more recently as a functional strength coach and CPR/First Aid instructor. Her experience as a midwife and as the mother of 3 children led… Continue reading Kyla Helgeland Alexander

Operations Assistant, Instructor Kim (she/her) stepped off the ground in 2012 and has never looked back. With a background in Pilates, she brings her knowledge of body mechanics and movement pathways to her teaching, helping students to find success in their aerial endeavors.  Her classes emphasize theory and technique, grounding students in proper mechanics while also… Continue reading Kim Zmolek

Instructor Jill Maio (she/her) has been training, performing and teaching aerial acrobatics since 2003. A former coach at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, she taught frequently in the UK and Europe and founded AirCraft Aerial Arts in Boston, running the organization from 2009 – 2018. Her teaching combines technical skill with creativity and humor,… Continue reading Jill Maio

Instructor Emily (she/they) was first introduced to circus in 2014 when she took a flying trapeze class with her mom, but it wasn’t until she discovered pole dance in 2016 that she really fell in love with the world of circus arts. These days her favorite apparatus also include flying pole and aerial chains, although… Continue reading Emily Gunter

Instructor Angela comes to the Seattle area from San Francisco, bringing 15 years of experience in aerial silks, as well as sling, aerial chains, dance trapeze, and duo lyra. She first began learning silks in 2009 with Rain and Sarah of the Paper Doll Militia, after randomly seeing them perform. She was immediately captivated, signed… Continue reading Angela Chu

Instructor Jill Marissa (she/her) is a former competitive gymnast who went on to receive a BA in Dance from Hunter College in 2004. Since moving to Seattle, she has danced and choreographed professionally for several companies including DASSdance. She fell in love with the aerial arts in 2007 and never looked back. In 2009 she… Continue reading Jill Marissa

Instructor Grayson Hay (he/they) began his aerial journey after seeing Varekai in 2002, quickly finding SANCA to introduce him to the world of Circus, and after taking a single workshop on the trapeze he was hooked. He dove head-long into trapeze as an apparatus and performed at every Circus of  Dreams, Aerlift, and the Moisture… Continue reading Grayson Hay