private and duo aerial dance lessons
Kelly is coaching private or duo aerial dance lessons. Lessons will be offered on a limited basis, on Sling or Dance Trapeze. (She is not offering larger group classes.)
New clients must book a private lesson for an evaluation before they may be taken on as a regular student. Previous aerial experience is recommended, but not required.
Her expertise is in Sling (hammock) and Dance Trapeze. Emphasis will be placed on strength building, transitions, safety, memory retention, fabric theory, anatomy and fluidity as the student moves through a progression-based program of skills tailored to their own person. Rope and/or silks may be used as conditioning complements. Students of other coaches in town are welcome to book a lesson to workshop or trouble shoot their movement goals.
Sorry, but absolutely no minors.
Text to book. (There is no online reservation platform at this moment.) The lesson schedule will vary and availability will be given out upon request.
More availability may be added later, but for now private lessons may be booked throughout the week, and duo lessons (or privates, if a students wants to reserve the hour just for themselves) will be held on the weekends — 2 Saturdays a month and 2 Sundays a month.
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Private Lessons (1-2 students) :
: $110/hr for 1 student
: $60/each for 2 students
kelly-approved aerialists in gvl :
Kelly recommends 2 of her former trainees/employees (the first two) as well as 2 of her former students for those looking for other aerial lessons or performances in town :
Allison Davey offers Sling Dance classes. To book, contact Allison directly at : skywardaerialarts@gmail.com
Megan Phillips offers private Lyra lessons. To book, contact Meghan directly at : MAlice.aerial@gmail.com
Aerial Ambitions SC (Khris and Amanda, former students) offer silks classes and classes for children.
private Lesson policies
1. Advance Registration // Students MUST book their lesson in advance directly through Kelly.
2. Dress Code // Please note and follow the dress code for classes : it is intended to protect your skin as much as possible from the apparatus. Hanging from or swiveling in an apparatus can cause tender spots, bruises or silk/rope burn. These are normal, and their occurrence lessens with time & consistency. Please exit a pose early if needed, while building up a tolerance to the pressure, and please never ignore any sensation of pain. Students should wear T-shirts that cover the armpits and pants that cover the backs of the knees. Clothing should be form-fitting, as loose or baggy material can get caught in the hammock, or fall over students' faces when they invert. Clothing that is especially slippery feeling will not grip the hammock as snugly, which beginners may want at first. *Please note : bar apparatuses (trapeze) may be especially rough to get used to, and students may experience extra bruising when learning new moves, especially around the backs of the knees. Please bring extra layers (socks, long sleeve shirts, etc).
3. Lotion + Scents // Do NOT wear lotion or heavy scents (body odor, perfume or essential oils). Please be courteous and avoid smoking prior to class, or any other activities that leave a lingering smell and could make your hammock uninhabitable for the student immediately after you.
4. Jewelry // NO jewelry, as it may snag the silks (especially rings or watches with sharp edges, and earrings. Please note, you will be asked to remove ALL jewelry before being allowed to join class. No exceptions). No zippers or clothing with sharp edges. No gum chewing.
5. Mats // Crash mats and heavy spotting techniques are used for every student in every class. Water is provided, but bring a bottle.
6. Injuries + Medical Issues // Please alert Kelly before class if you suffer from easy bruising, low blood pressure, chronic light headedness, or nausea (i.e. the one who always gets car sick). If you feel you are getting dizzy during class, take a break or a sip or water and wait for it to pass. Also, please alert Kelly of ANY injuries before class begins. A full list of medical conditions relevant to aerials are listed on the student waiver, but especially in regards to balance issues (vertigo, inner ear issues), shoulder considerations (rotator cuff damage, hyper flexible joints), any hardware or fusions in spine, past C-sections (scar tissue) and/or abdominal tears (Diastasis Recti). Refrain from any aerial class (and any inversion) for at least 24 hours after a Botox injection. Kelly reserves the right to prohibit a student from taking class in the case of an injury where aerials could be contraindicated.
7. Sickness // Do NOT come to the studio if you are sick. Kelly reserves the right to send sick students home out of respect for others' health. Please wash your hands before your aerial class, to prevent the spread of germs from student to apparatus as much as possible.
8. Tardiness // Please be 5-10 minutes EARLY to each class, as hammocks may need to be adjusted to the student’s height, so we can start on time. (Also, new students will need extra time to sign a waiver.) Arriving early allows the student to begin a self warm-up to leave more time in class for moves. Late arrivals will have that time deducted from their lesson at full charge.
9. Cancellation Window // There is a 24-hour cancellation window. That means if you “late cancel” your lesson less than 24 hours before the start time, you will be charged for the full fee.
10. Safety // Safety is paramount. All safety guidelines must be followed. Acting outside these guidelines, or putting others at risk warrants removal from class. Mats must always stay under each apparatus. No peer teaching. Do not try moves you have not been taught. Please do Not expect to improvise moves during class. Cues are specific and consistent for your safety.
11. Exiting Poses // In class, please be mindful about exiting a move with impact or sound. Learning how much clearance is available in relation to the floor is an important principle of aerials, and rough landings imply a lack or awareness of clearance and/or a student trying a modification beyond their current skill set. Also, exiting moves quietly and slowly build the strength needed one day to enter the move without momentum.
12. Demos + Spotting // When observing a new move being demonstrated, students are asked to watch without trying along. Please stay on the ground during the demo, so that the coach can spot you appropriately if needed. Kelly provides acrobatic spotting. Students who refuse spotting may not be allowed to try the move.
13. Phone Usage // As videos and photos are a valuable aid in learning aerials, Kelly will work with the student on when and when not to have their phone out. Students are Never to film Kelly while coaching. If Kelly’s voice is in the background of a video of the student performing the move, the student is asked to delete the coaching audio if they post the video to social media. Please be considerate of other coaches or students in the space and always aim your camera away from them.
14. Minors // Absolutely no minors. No exceptions, sorry.
15. Pregnancy // Pregnant students are Not Allowed to Start aerial classes. (If you are a current aerial student who becomes pregnant, please alert Kelly.)
16. Previous Aerial Experience // Previous aerial experience is unnecessary, but please let Kelly know if you have taken an aerial class before. If so, describe the type/apparatus and level of class.
17. Judgement Free // The studio is a judgment free zone. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or ask for a spot. Negative or competitive talk directed to yourself or others is not acceptable.