With a Bachelors in Theatre, Julia knows how to run this circus! As the front desk coordinator, Julia helps with all aspects of studio including enrollments, event bookings and productions. She has been with Aerial Arts of Rochester since 2015 and loves to hear when students finally achieve the move that had challenged them most!

Paige specializes in yoga, aerial hoop and pole dance. She has a background in dance and cheerleading/ tumbling. Previously, Paige coached youth cheerleading for Pittsford Panthers and taught yoga for various residence halls and athletic teams at Alfred State College. Paige’s teaching style promotes self confidence, empowerment, and connection between the mind and body.

Kaylin started training aerial in fall of 2015. She has performed on the aerial hoop for various music events including Cirque Du Bass in the WNY area. She is published actress in a horror film called "Book of Evil" that can be found on Amazon, Target Online, Fandangonow and other streaming services. Prior to aerial, Kaylin was cheerleader and trained taekwondo, as a purple belt.

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Kaylin is a local celebrity playing her original music on several local radio stations, as well as live on Good Day Rochester Fox News. She has opened up for musical stars such as Teddy Geiger, Tyler Hilton, Ryan Cabrera, as well as most recently Aaron Carter.

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"There's a certain magic people in seeing people fly, and I wanted to be part of that. One personal thing I love about performing aerial, is that I get to be evidence that people of all body sizes can be fit, can be strong. There are no limitations in the circus."

 In the future she hopes to continue bringing music, and singing, into her aerial performances.

Macrina started at Aerial Arts in 2016 when she was 8 years old as part of the children's program. She quickly took a liking to Aerial Silks and eventually started taking adult classes. As her skills have developed she has performed in many showcases with Aerial Arts over the years. Macrina enjoys working on all the apparatuses, but loves fabrics best. In the fall of 2021 Macrina started teaching children's classes with Aerial Arts. She has also taught the summer camps and assists with children's birthday parties. Outside of aerial Macrina loves to spend time with her family and friends, do art, play with her dogs, and travel. 

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

“All emotions, even those that are suppressed and unexpressed, have physical effects. Unexpressed emotions tend to stay in the body like small ticking time bombs—they are illnesses in incubation.”- Marilyn Van M. Derbu 

Kiendra is a practicing LMSW, mental health therapist, by day and a circus instructor/ performer by night. She has been training aerial arts (silks, rope, hammock) since 2019 and hula hoop dancing since 2018, co-founding Hooplah Troupe in 2021. She has performed in various locations (concerts/ festivals, parades, corporate events, etc.) as well as instructed various levels and types of students ranging from novice to beginner to intermediate. She knows for a fact that circus, more specifically movement, is for everyone regardless of ability status, body type or any other lie that society has thrown around. Kiendra takes pride in highlighting the importance of mind body healing. Right now, Kiendra is a current student at the University of Rochester in the mind body healing advanced certificate program and is looking forward to further extending her knowledge in both of her positions.

To see Kiendra's masters thesis around expressive therapies and circus feel free to check this link out! https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRCbW1azcZXFo0pNQmx2fSUTq4l2KPZRsawUdSsvqrMMjOa4edcmznDa8fzbIrmVrmLQ8XjRYE9Y77s/pub

Emily is a stage performer, aerialist and dancer who specializes in metal apparatus performance and duo work. 

Sebastian is a second generation circus performer. His parents met in Ringling Brothers circus with his mother being an aerialist and his father a clown. Both Sebastian and his brother started doing circus when they were children.

Sebastian specializes in juggling and acrobatics in addition to diabolo, rola bola, handbalancing, mini tramp, and unicycle. As a coach, Sebastian has worked at Circus Smirkus Summer Camp in Greensboro, VT for four summers as a counselor, juggling coach, and acrobatics coach.He has also coached acrobatics in Clearwater, FL at Dance and Circus Arts of Tampa Bay.
 

Sebastian is a graduate of the Biological Sciences program at RIT and was the president of the Juggling Club for 2 years.

Jess Soto is a professional dancer & aerialist from Rochester, NY. She has been dancing for 27 years with experience in numerous styles. She completed her B.A. in Dance & English at Buffalo State in 2016 and has been performing for various companies and instructing students of all ages and abilities throughout Western NY since.

Jess began her aerial journey in 2018. She quickly found a love for dancing in the air, as well. She is dedicated in her training and does so on many metal and fabric apparatuses.

In addition to this, Jess does prop manipulation, LED and fire performances, and has recently started stilt walking.

Jess greatly enjoys teaching others. She hopes to inspire them to find a passionate connection to movement and creation.

Outside of the studio, Jess works in the personal and home care field and is on the path to obtain her nursing degree. Most importantly, she has a beautiful daughter who motivates her to never stop dreaming and dancing!

Cathy is a Hoop Love Coach and Hoopnotica-certified hula hooping instructor. Cathy began hula hooping 10 years ago, where she would take her hoop with her on-the-go so she could dance to live music. She became very passionate about learning new tricks and sharing her love for hooping with her friends. Cathy made custom hula hoops for several of her friends and family members, and was inspired by the joy of seeing her loved ones find happiness with hula hooping. Cathy has taught classes and workshops at the YMCA and RAC for Women, and is thrilled to share her love her hooping with students at Aerial Arts of Rochester. She prides herself on being an enthusiastic, dedicated, and attentive instructor, for she genuinely loves seeing others get excited about learning new ways to dance with the hoop. Cathy is a digital marketer by day, and is energized by thinking innovatively and doing what’s best for the customer. In her spare time, she studies aerial hoop (lyra) and trapeze at Aerial Arts of Rochester. Cathy also enjoys making hula hoops!

*Photo by Analise Olszewski

Franca is a graduate from Nazerath College and creates beautiful content for Aerial Arts. She works full time at a local graphic design company.

As a student at Aerial Arts of Rochester, she has witnessed first hand how something can seem impossible, until its done.

Bio Coming Soon

Katherine Jolliff began her aerial journey in 2021 at Aerial Arts of Rochester. She now instructs adult and youth classes on both metals and fabrics as well as hosting birthday parties at the studio. Her teaching style puts lots of emphasis on body awareness and control, as well as having fun (safely!) both in the air and on the ground. When she's not in the air, she is likely at the Eastman School of Music, where she's currently an undergraduate majoring in Organ Performance.

Shaun specializes as Partner Acro Instructor and performer. He has 5 Years of Partner Acro experience and has preciously trained at Pitch Catch Circus. With over 20 Years of gymnastics experience and 10 of those as a coach, Shaun enjoys watching others succeed.

* Experienced spotter and safety line puller

Nicole’s passion for aerial arts began after seeing her first Cirque du Soliel show in 5th grade. She performed gymnastics and cheerleading for several years preceding her aerial arts journey at AAOR in 2012.  She has trained contortion, pole, and silks at several NYC studios, including Circus Warehouse, Aerial Arts NYC, Body and Pole, and Pole Position.

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When she is not teaching, performing, or training aerial arts, Nicole is working hard towards her degree in becoming a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Brockport University. In her down time she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, or spending time with her cats.

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As an instructor she applies her knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology aiming to help her students build strength and flexibility.  She advocates the art of movement and aerial as a means of tranquility and a creative expression of oneself. 

My name is Misha, I started my aerial journey in 2021 with a concentration in metals and a specific focus on pole.

I have a background in dance and gymnastics and have trained in New York City before coming to Aerial Arts of Rochester. I absolutely love the art of movement and acrobatics and the unique blend it creates in the aerial arts. My goal is to share my passion and inspire anyone and everyone to tap into their deep artistic self and create beautiful movement.

I am excited to join you on your aerial journey!

See you in class

Julie is originally from Buffalo and graduated from SUNY Brockport where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a minor in Dance.  After years of group exercise classes at local gyms, she was PiYo certified in 2014 and taught at the Rochester Athletic Club until it closed in 2020.  She also taught at the JCC and held many Rochester fitness fundraisers at places such as Seneca Park Zoo, Eastman House, Anthology, and Lollipop Farm.  Julie is passionate about yoga and helping others find their strength and resilience through group exercise classes.  She is passionate about ongoing education and has traveled the US and Canada to take classes from iconic yogi’s such as Kino McGregor, Brian Kest, and Baron Baptiste.   

Julie began her journey at Aerial Arts of Rochester in March of 2022 and didn’t just fall in love with the new challenge of aerial arts but with the community of people.  Outside of her fitness endeavors she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her two small dogs and family.

Aerial Arts of Rochester Circus school of Training is my home, away from home.  I started as a student in November 2020, hired as an instructor in December of 2022 and in that time have cross-trained on 11 apparatus.   My first love is forever the aerial hammock and silks. I instruct both youth, tween and adult classes.  Circus life is an enhancement to my prior 20 years of dance and theater experience. I cosplay as an Elf and enjoy using props and cosmetology for self-expression!  I am also a home health care provider, urban gardener helping to educate the community on how to grow a sustainable food and flower garden.  I am a Special Education Teacher, with a Masters in Elementary Special Education and I have merged Circus entertainment into all my daily living! Cake-topper,  all of my jobs combined, I found it necessary to obtain my CPR and First Aid Certifications, to always be prepared and ready to assist in an emergency.

Natalie Marino is a dancer, teacher, learner and dreamer. She graduated from SUNY Fredonia with BFA in Dance and Minor in Communication. Since her graduation Natalie has performed and trained across the Northern Hemisphere. She is passionate about all things movement. NAtalie holds certification in barre, and assisted stretching.

Bio Coming Soon

Tiffany discovered aerial arts in 2022, shortly after beginning her pathology residency at the University of Rochester. Besides working as a physician, Tiffany is a technical scuba diver, and has found aerial silks to be the optimal complement to her adrenaline-fueled lifestyle. Tiffany has coupled her passion for aerial arts and fitness with her knowledge of anatomy to bring a unique perspective to both her students and to her own personal growth as an aerialist.

Angelica has15 years experience dancing at Valley School of Dance in Geneseo, NY. Angelica specializes in aerial silks and pole and is responsible for helping teach parties during the weekends. When she's not doing aerial, she is an interior painter with Monarch Painting. Angelica is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and ambition to push others to try their best and succeed. “Movement has always been apart of my life and I enjoy being able to connect with others everyday that love it just as much as I do.” 

Julia Gullo is a recent college graduate from SUNY Brockport where she received a Bachelors degree in both theatre and dance. She currently teaches pole, chair dance and stretching as well as barre classes in the Buffalo area. She has performed in Geva Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and assisted in costume construction for some of their productions!

Taryn Mullen (she/her), known in capoeira as Monitor Fênix, has been studying capoeira since 2009, after first learning about it from a friend from Brazil. After training with several groups, she eventually joined Capoeira Angola Quintal in 2012, practicing under experienced teachers including Mestre Ombrinho and Instrutor Espião. She has participated in numerous capoeira events across the United States and internationally. Since graduating to the rank of Monitor in 2018, Taryn places her emphasis as a teacher of Mindful Capoeira on building community and the importance of having a well-rounded practice grounded in the music, movement and history of the art form.

Bio Coming Soon

Marrianna has been learing and performing a variety of aerial skills since 2016, specializing in silks, hoop and pole! What started out for her as a fun hobby turned into a career when she accepted a job to perform in the Bahamas after only training with Aerial Arts of Rochester for 3 years! She has also performed locally with the Aerial Arts of Rochester Cirque Troupe. Now that she’s back home you can catch her still practicing silks and teaching pole level 1 class! 

Bio Coming Soon

Melissa embarked on her aerial journey in 2023 when she joined our team as a Front Desk Associate and Aerial Yoga instructor. A quick embrace of Aerial Arts allowed her to elevate her yoga practice significantly. Presently, she holds certifications as a Yoga Alliance RYT 200 Unified Yoga instructor and Yoga Alliance Aerial RYT 150 Level 1/2/Yin. While specializing in Yoga, Melissa is actively acquainting herself with various apparatuses, demonstrating her commitment to
continuous learning and mastery.

Her early background in dance, encompassing ballet, tap, and jazz during childhood, laid the foundation for her physical prowess. Melissa further honed her performance skills as a member of the Avon Braves Varsity Cheerleading team in 7th grade and has explored amateur modeling for various events/ calendars/photoshoots in the Philadelphia & Rochester regions. In 2023, she made her debut in the Aerial Coven Halloween show, showcasing her talents and captivating the audience.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Melissa holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Temple University, majoring in Legal Studies with a double minor in International Business and
Entrepreneurship. Outside the realm of Aerial Arts, she dedicates her time to serving the community as a Life Insurance/Accident & Health broker.

Fueled by a passion for movement, Melissa aspires to inspire others and make a positive impact in the community. Her commitment to the art of movement reflects a dedication to personal and professional growth, establishing her as an invaluable member of our team.