Mary Elizabeth (performer name: Mokii) is a circus enthusiast. Having practiced various dance and movement classes on and off since childhood, she has a deep love and appreciation for choreography and performance art. Early in 2012, Mary began learning aerial silks from Jolene Dickerson, it grew to be one of her biggest passions and she never looked back. No other discipline had provided as much challenge, reward, or confidence building.

Mary has been a coach at Afterglow Aerial Arts since May 2016. Her favorite part of teaching is encouraging students to believe in themselves, watching them progress throughout the series, and witnessing the lifelong friendships that form in class at times. Mary has learned from world renowned circus artists such as Tanya Brno, Shannon McKenna “the Artist Athlete,” and Jen Crane “Cirque Physio.” Their teachings inform her work. Mary has performed in many Afterglow productions, Who’s The Ross (a local late night talk show) & The Umbrella Festival on Silks, Corde Lisse (rope) and Aerial Hammock. You can catch Mary performing every few months at Dante’s Sinferno Cabaret in downtown Portland.

Mary is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, having completed the 800 hour program at East West College of the Healing Arts in June 2014. In addition Mary is a hospice volunteer for Legacy Hospice. Her training in anatomy and kinesiology is utilized in class with a focus on proper alignment and enhanced proprioception. Mary is a proud pet parent of two grey cats and one black Goldendoodle.