About Us
Our mission is simple: to create a welcoming, safe, and inspiring space where kids, teens, and adults can discover the joy of aerial arts. We believe aerial is for everyone - whether you're here to build strength, try something new, perform, or just play.
Our Story
Founded in Bend, Oregon, we grew from a passion for movement, artistry, and community. What started as a dream to give our pre professional and competitive aerialists a place to grow, has become a thriving studio where students of all levels and backgrounds can train, laugh, perform, and support each other
Since opening our doors, we've welcomed aerialists and flow artists from all over the country to train and find community. We've performed at farmers markets, festivals, private parties, and community events. We host recitals that showcase the creativity and growth of our students. Every performance is a celebration of courage, artistry, and community spirit.
Meet Our Coaches
Our coaches are more than instructors; they are mentors, cheerleaders, guides, and supporters on your aerial journey. They bring years of experience in various aerial disciplines, a commitment to continuing education, and certifications in CPR/first aid along with mandated reporting—ensuring every class is safe, supportive, and tailored to your goals
Kate
owner, lead instructor
Hi! I’m Kate. I was a nationally competitive figure skater for 10 years, then coached a team of national competitors for another 10 before becoming a pediatric nurse. My husband and I moved to Bend in 2015 to raise and homeschool our kids, where I fell in love with aerial silks. After 15 years as a pediatric RN, I returned to coaching—this time in aerial. I grew a few classes into a thriving youth program and launched a competition team that has earned national titles. I also perform at local festivals and collaborate with other artists. I’m a member of the American Circus Educators and the American Youth Circus Organization, with teacher and rigger training from multiple organizations across the country.
When I’m not in the air, I’m either cuddling with my dogs, fussing over plants, or just doing typical mom stuff with my family. Coaching and guiding students to their potential is truly my calling and it fills my heart with such joy to watch my students do amazing things. I am so proud of each and every one of my students and am grateful to have them in my life. I am a firm believer that everyone can achieve their goals in their own time and at their own pace, and that there is no one size fits all way of teaching or learning. I am happy to have created Lava City Cirque to provide a place for our inclusive community to thrive in an accessible and friendly environment for all!
Amanda
instructor - silks & sling
I was born and raised in Montana where I began taking dance classes when I was 2 years old. My love of teaching began while in high school when I was a preschool dance teacher. After attending college in Spokane, WA, I moved to the Portland metro area, and in 2008, I began my career as a high school math teacher. Around that time, I helped coach a middle school and high school dance team until I fell in love with aerial silks. In 2021, I returned to aerial silks after taking time off to raise my family. In 2022, I blended my love of teaching with aerial cirque and began teaching both youth and adult silks and sling classes.
Brandi
instructor - silks & lyra
My name is Brandi, and I love everything aerial. I was first introduced to fabric in 2010 right after I graduated from nursing school and I fell in love immediately. Aerial did not come easy for me, but I loved the challenge and the brain and body gymnastics I had to do to figure out tricks.
After training for a few years, I began teaching. Then in 2015, I furthered my aerial education with a teacher training in North Carolina through NECCA (New England Center for Circus Arts). I taught for about 5 more years after that, and during that time, I created an aerial troupe where we performed at various art and music festivals all over Oregon.
For a few years I took a break and focused on my nursing career and starting my family. I have a 6 year old son and a 3 year old daughter. I have been back to teaching since 2022, and am so excited to be back in the world of aerial!
Teaching aerial is really a true passion for me. I love learning and teaching aerial theory and greatly enjoy breaking down sequences. Mostly I love the camaraderie and friendships that are built in aerial, and I cherish that deeply in my classes. My goal is to make aerial accessible to everyone no matter your background or strength. I look forward to seeing you all in class!
Olivia
instructor - Silks & Sling
Hello, my name is Olivia. I have been doing aerial since 2019 and have been teaching since 2022. I have been competing in silks and sling all around the nation for the last 3 years and have won numerous awards in national and international competitions. I love being a coach because I love seeing people's hard work pay off. I started with sling, but I also love silks and trapeze. My other interests include art, music, and reading
Haley
instructor - Silks & Sling
Hello! My name is Haley! I teach both silks and sling, but my main love is silks. I have been training in aerial since 2018, and have been coaching since 2024. My favorite thing about teaching is seeing how my students improve and grow in their own ways. I love competing and can't wait to do more! In my free time, I'm always at the studio practicing, and I enjoy being outside, doing art, and working on my pottery business.
Jo
instructor - lyra
Bio coming soon...
Nikolai
instructor - lyra & trapeze
Nikolai is a second generation aerialist and got his start in the circus by performing with a small family troop of traveling artists from the ages of 12 to 17. Since then, he has coached other aspiring circus artists at various studios, including the worlds largest social circus in South Africa.
Nicky is passionate about sharing his experience with motivated pupils and inspiring the next generation of performing artists. His professional experience ranges from contortion and partner acrobatics to lyra and trapeze. Nicky is also affiliated with Soma Tree Cirque, an aerial arts collective based in North Carolina.
Want a private lesson with one of our coaches?
All of our coaches are available for private lessons.
Email us or contact them directly to schedule yours today!
