Aerial Arts of Utah
o Aerial Arts of Utah’s highly qualified instructors come from a variety of movement backgrounds including modern dance, ballet, yoga, and rock climbing. Our teaching focuses on fostering a positive learning environment that encourages safety, physical challenge, and creative expression. Collectively, our instructors have the following advanced level certifications:
§ New England Center for Circus Arts (Aerial Fabric and Trapeze Teacher Training)
§ Master of Fine Arts in Modern Dance
§ Yoga Certification (200 hours)
§ AcroYoga Certification
§ Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundaments Certification
Elizabeth Stich, Associate Director
Elizabeth Stich in specializess in aerial fabrics, static trapeze (solo and duo), and single point trapeze. She received the majority of her aerial training from New England Center for Circus Arts and continues to train both at NECCA and the Aerial Dance Festival. Liz holds an MFA in modern dance from the University of Utah, where she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for three years, and a certification in Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals through Integrated Movement Studies. Prior to the formation of Aerial Arts of Utah, she was an instructor and co-Artistic Director of Revolve Aerial Dance in Salt Lake City for two years. In addition to teaching aerial, she is an adjunct instructor of dance for Weber State University, Utah Valley University, and Snow College. Liz is also an avid performer in the air and on the ground, working with San Francisco-based companies Strong Current Dance Company, Company Chaddick, The Riley Project, and Kate Law and Alayna Stroud’s Bow and Sparrow and with Performing Dance Company at The University of Utah where she has danced in works by Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Tandy Beal, Steve Koester, and Juan Carlos Claudio. As a choreographer, her creative work has been presented as an invited guest in the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Momentum concert, as a commissioned choreographer for the Chattanooga Ballet in Tennessee, and in the Gala Concert of the American College Dance Festival Association Conference at the University of Idaho.
Jennifer Raun
The dance culture in Chicago inspired Jennifer to begin dancing. She continued her dance training in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah, where she received a BFA in Modern Dance. As a naturalist, Utah provided her with an opportunity to integrate her passion for dance and a love for the outdoors. Immersing herself in nature fills her life with adventures, grace and compassion.
Jennifer's passion for aerial dance began when she saw Project Bandaloop perform. She had just started rock climbing and was eager to combine her new passion with her dance career. She loved the sensation of being suspended in the air and the added possibilities given to the body once airborne.
She has had the opportunity to work with many established artists who have shaped and tendered her essence in dance. Jennifer's diverse performance experience includes contemporary and traditional modern, jazz, hip-hop and aerial dance. Constantly in motion, she loves to dance, rock climb, rappel, hike and ski. The synthesis of dance and nature reflect the expansiveness of her being – her voyage is the adventure.
Adriane Colvin
Adriane Colvin is a native of Salt Lake City and grew up in the modern dance and theater world by virtue of her parents who among other sports and talents taught ballroom dancing. As a child she directed many lavish "plays" with her cousins in the backyard which ultimately led to her attending California State Universily at Long Beach and recieving her BA in Theater Arts. As a gymnast, swimmer, dancer and actor she has always pushed the creative limits of her creative expresson.
Her creative expression found new impetus when she began fire dancing in 2004, choerographing fire performers for local and national events and culminating in her current passion of aerial performance and instruction. Having trained with Revolve Aerial Dance, she has had the opportunity to learn from certified aerialists and mentors. She avidly performs at festivals and events all year long. Her concept of dance is to free the body and you will free the mind.
Amy Olson
Amy Olson is a life-long student of movement with a passion for the healing arts and circus arts. She has a BA in Tibetan Buddhist studies and is the owner of a private massage practice in Salt Lake City specializing in Structural Integration, Thai massage and Craniosacral Therapy. She also has a 200 hour yoga certification.
Amy began to embrace the circus arts when she received her training in AcroYoga (yoga, partner acrobatics and Thai massage) from Jenny Sauer-Klein and Jason Neemer. She has over 3 years experience teaching workshops and classes with this dynamic partner technique. Partnering with the trapeze and fabric was a natural progression and joyous exploration for her. She studied and trained aerial fabric, trapeze and lyra with Revolve Aerial dance, New England Center for Circus Arts and Kate Law of Bow and Sparrow. She has over 2 years experience training and performing. She is excited to be instructing with Aerial Arts of Utah.
She thoroughly enjoys teaching aerial fabric, trapeze and lyra for everything it offers: balance, strength, flexibility and creativity. She believes in making classes fun and accessible for all ages and abilities!
Nancy Carter
Nancy Simpson Carter is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, bodyworker, and movement researcher from North Carolina. She is excited to finally be premiering her new performance company Rumble Motion Jawbone as the 2011 Sugar Space Artist in Residence. Nancy earned her BA in Dance from Meredith College, where she concentrated in somatic studies and performance/choreography. She continued her somatics training, becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist and earning her Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis Certification through the Integrated Movement Studies program. Nancy earned her MFA in Modern Dance from The University of Utah, where she was awarded a teaching assistanceship. Nancy choreographed and performed for four seasons with Choreo Collective and two seasons with Revolve Aerial Dance. She is currently a performer and instructor with Aerial Arts of Utah, specializing in Lyra.
Kimberly Preston
Kimberly Preston, E-RYT, AYT received her certification as an AcroYoga Teacher in 2013 from Jason Nemer, Bonnie Argo, and Chris Loebsack, after several years of a great love affair with AcroYoga.She is inspired by the ability of this practice to break down walls and to build and strengthen community through touch and play. Kimberly is also an experienced Yoga Teacher with over 1000 hours of teaching experience in the styles of Hatha and Vinyasa. She is a certified Thai Massage Practitioner as well as a certified Kids Yoga Teacher. Kimberly has a background in social work and loves to spend time outdoors or with a good book.
Naomi Riches
Naomi’s love of movement, dance and the outdoors has led her to find a home within the aerial arts. Having grown up in Utah she spends much of her spare time rock climbing, trail running, hiking, cross country skiing, and mountain biking. Naomi has also trained as a dancer at the University of Utah and various dance studios around Salt Lake Valley. The combination 14 years of rock climbing experience, over 15 years of dancing, and a dare drew her to Aerial dance. Naomi began teaching the introduction to Aerial Arts in the summer of 2010, and also has a bachelor degree in Biology and a masters in Public health.
Kate Law of Bow and Sparrow- Guest Instructor
Kate Law grew up in Salt Lake but has just returned after five years of teaching and performing in San Francisco. Kate has extensive teaching experience in yoga, aerial dance, and children’s movement (gymnastics, creative movement, and yoga) in San Francisco and around the US during national tours.
Kate received her 200 hour yoga certification through Greenpath Yoga in San Francisco. She teaches private and group classes from beginning to advanced levels. In addition to teaching adult classes Kate has been teaching yoga in preschools for the five years. Kate's aerial training has been with Project Bandaloop (SF), Flyaway Productions (SF, San Francisco Circus School, Veronique Thiebeult (Ecole National de Cirque, Montreal), and Stephane Bearegard (Cirque du Soleil, Montreal).
With her aerial dance company, Bow & Sparrow, Kate teaches aerial workshops and classes on tissu, sling, cloud swing, trapeze, rope, harness, and aerial pole. The idea behind her workshops is that aerial dance should be accessible, fun, and safe. Everyone should be able to experience the feeling of flight. Her class environment is upbeat, friendly and supportive. She also teaches private lessons to children and adults. She is please to be working with Utah Aerial Arts and spreading the love for this beatiful and athletic form to her home town.