Cassie took their very first aerial class at Afterglow Aerial Arts in January 2022 and immediately dove into the new obsession. Trapeze and lyra didn’t come easily, and she had to get comfortable with being “bad” at her new hobby as she developed strength and skill. Twenty years of dance experience made pointed toes automatic, but couldn’t make inversions simple. Eventually, being at the bottom felt freeing, because the only way to go was up! So she stuck with it, savoring every unlocked skill and small victory along the way. Dance trapeze quickly became their main aerial focus. It is the best of both worlds: the stability and security of a bar apparatus and the flexibility and creativity of fabric.

In addition to teaching trapeze, Cassie also performs burlesque (sometimes on trapeze!) and teaches pole dancing. As an instructor she gains a lot of satisfaction from helping students to find their confidence, even, or perhaps especially, when things do not come as easily or quickly as they expect. Before aerial, Cassie was a school teacher, and that background deeply shapes how she teaches. She excels at building classes that welcome everyone while leaving room to adapt, modify, and meet students where they are—because no two beginners arrive with the same toolbox. A keen observer and enthusiastic problem solver, Cassie loves breaking concepts down, and adjusting the level of challenge so each student feels supported and capable.