Curated Workshops and Classes

  • Foundations of Flight (Virtual or In-person)

    Crafted during the beginning of the quarantine, this all-levels class focuses specifically on the muscle groups aerialists need for flight. Using household objects - this class can be tailored for for vertical or bar-apparatus as well and in 30 min. or 1-hr segments based on your needs. From grip-training to no-pull-up-bar-needed pull-ups (what??!?) to traps, lats, and glutes (oh, my!) this class gives you the tools when you have limited space, no equipment, and don’t want to lose those aerial gains! Bodyweight fitness for all, and of course, themed outfits to make it fun!

  • Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip Circles for All

    Whether your goal is nailing multiple front or back hip circles on a trapeze or lyra, stacking drops to tombe, or just starting your journey into backwards and forwards rolls, this workshop will scaffold progressions for all students. Whether you’re an intermediate student looking to begin their journey into momentum work - or are just wanting to unlock a new roll in your rep - you’ll be saying “Hip, Hip, Hooray” whenever you are in your aerial journey!

  • Ankle Hangs Across Apparatus

    Trapeze, lyra, sling, silks and rope - how do they differ - how do they translate? Do you hate bar apparatus but love fabric? What about static wraps and flexed feet? This workshop will empower you to feel confident (or at least competent) in cross-apparatus ankle hangs, beginner students will learn static poses while more advanced students can begin to put together dynamic sequencing and drops! Socks may be allowed for some apparatus, but trapeze boots are NOT needed. Pole/grip boots and loose legwarmers are not allowed.

  • Slapeze - Translating Sling + Trapeze

    Love sling or love trapeze? Then why not try SLAPEZE? Learn to translate sequences between trap and sling (aerial hammock). Explore familiar phrasing on an apparatus, then discover unique pathways as you repeat it on another. How does your body move in the same way, how does it differ? In what ways does the support of the bar change the way you move - weighted vs. lighter bars vs. evenly weighted hammocks? Learn fabric theory and foundational trapeze - it’s a breeze when it’s a slapeze!

  • Performance for the Aerialist: From the Ground to the Air

    New to performing? Need to add a new aspect to your toolbox? This Laban-based workshop is a taste of the full-performance series that focus on incorporating and analyzing the movement Efforts. Whether a seasoned acting professional or brand new mover, physical expression for all aerialists can be amplified and explored through Laban. No previous dance or acting experience needed, just an open mind. Exercises will take place on the floor and in the air!

    This workshop can be modified for age groups and will appear at Jr. ThesCon 2023.

  • Tip Tip Hooray: Tippy Lyra

    It’s a lyra, but tippy! Learn how to navigate flips and tips while preventing the flops of tippy aerial hoop! Karen has worked on tippy hoop since 2017, combining cross-apparatus technique to bring familiar and new shapes, sequences and drops to this exciting apparatus. Must have 6 months experience on lyra or instructor permission!

Contact Karen

Karen integrates over 20+ years of theatre experience including into her aerial work as an instructor and performer. From the classical plays, operettas, musicals, improv, puppetry, physical theatre, and numerous roles backstage, she knows what it takes to create a production from concept to final bow. Karen also specializes in Laban and incorporating physical theatre for movers of all kinds. Whether scripting shows, creating costumes, or performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Fest, Karen's theatre career spanned from community-level to working Broadway performer-led intensives (Broadway Dreams Foundation). When she transitioned to graduate school to obtain their MS Integrated Marketing Communications, she needed an activity that fit her schedule while allowing artistic expression. She dove into assisting and study, learning as much as she could about aerial arts. Certifications include Gena DuBose (SOAR Aerial Dance for lyra), training at her first studio via CAI instructors (Sky Gym's Amber Monson and currently works alongside hoop whisperer Hayley Adamson). Rigging and safety training include the Atlanta Aerial Arts Festival, Brett Copes, Todd Spiering and Craig Lewis, she also continues online education. She is a member of ACE/AYCO (American Circus Educators/American Youth Circus Organizations, ACA (American Circus Alliance) and holds her CPR/First Aid For Infants > Adults, in addition to Trauma First Aid and First Aid for Opioid Overdoses via the Red Cross.

Her teaching career spans multi-apparatus, though she prefers bar and speciality. From aerial net, to tippy hoop, lollipop, single and double point lyra, silks, sling, flying pole, moon and dance trapeze at Akrosphere, Sky Gym, The Space, the Artists’ Asylum, and currently calls Challenge Aerial home. Safety, technique, and creative expression are the core of her teaching methodology!

Why Teach

To Karen, teaching means not only fostering a love of aerial arts, but also sharing that sense of accomplishment when students reach their own goals. One of their missions is to make aerial accessible for all humans, while honoring everyone’s unique physical abilities. She is a disability advocate including invisible, chronic illnesses and neurodiverse (neurospicy!) communities. Everyone should feel welcome in class. Whether you’re coming in hot with tons of gymnastics experience or you have never touched an apparatus - we’ll find a path that works for you!

By breaking barriers and stigma, we carve new and exciting ways to view our own world and create a better world for others. Whether your goal is exploring a new form of movement, breaking out of your comfort zone, performing or discovering an extremely cool hobby, Karen will help you find that same spark that she did years ago!