Biographies
Biographies
Christine Aiken
Christine Ann Aiken, Artistic Director and Founder, has a passion for flying trapeze, double trapeze, sling, lyra, silks,
and adagio. Former professional dancer First City Jazz Dance Theatre, Northwest Florida Ballet, Pofahls, First
International Jazz Dance Congress, University of Florida, and The Dance Center. She has been competitive diver,
gymnast, model, dancer, and equestrienne that now owns Seambiance, Inc., the managing company of Asheville
Aerial Arts and works for Silverton Mortgage Specialists, Inc. where she is celebrating 15 years in the mortgage
industry. Christine resides with her son, two dogs and cat in historic Montford where she continues to enjoy
traveling abroad, volunteer work for various organizations, golf, fishing, a very active career and social life, and her
passion in aerials.
Anna Bartlett
Anna joined Asheville Aerial Arts in late 2010 after a surprise audition. Anna has been a gymnast since she could
walk and is excited to transfer her skills into the air. A champion pole vaulter, with a very symmetrical face, Anna is
still teaching gymnastics while developing her aerial skills and style. As a child, Anna's favorite thing were moon
shoes (big plastic shoes with rubber bands built in so you could "defy gravity). They didn't work well at all, but the
concept was seductive and that was enough for her. Anna is currently on sabbatical
Monique Andrea Cote
Monique from Miami, and is married with a fabulous family. She is a former gymnast, and 4 time All American
Springboard Diver, and has coached both. She has Bachelors in Education from WWC, and has worked in
admissions for 12 years. For fun Monique loves to surf, windsurf, climb, skate, snowboard and paddle with my
family and friends. She is also a Capoierista, and practices yoga. Monique enjoys wildflowers, gardening, and
reading. She has aerial experience working with Christine Aiken on singles, swinging trapeze, adagio, body
balancing, German wheel, and sling.
Oxo Halo
Halo is a local designer/artist who utilizes his climbing and construction experience in serving as the lead rigger for
the group. He is applying his design skills in custom rigging fabrication projects, as well as assisting Asheville
Aerial Arts in our pursuance of new apparatuses and aerial outfitting, safety devices, and costuming. He is even
considering performing in the future. We are excited to have such a visionary and multi-talented rigger as part of our
Asheville team. Halo is known for his expertise and his artistic insight.
Andrew Hartnagel
Andrew is Asheville Aerial Arts lead aerial instructor. Known as both an extreme trainer and a funny guy, Andrew's
students adore him. As a young child, Andrew watched half an episode of ‘Fame’ with his older sister. Until
recently, that was his primary experience with dance, its influence readily visible in his performance style, and
regrettably, his choice of music. The combination of his aerial skills and years of Kung Fu make him a dangerous
man to fight on the trapeze. He has managed and taught at ropes courses and science centers all over the country,
the result of which being he’s one of the few instructors who will discuss your rotational inertia with a smile. He
hopes you’re having a nice day.
Waverly Jones
Waverly Jones is from Carolina Beach, North Carolina, where she began climbing trees at age 3. She took classes
in gymnastics and tumbling at the Coastal Tumble Gym from ages 7-10, and did not get back into gymnastics until
May of 2010 after perusing a New Years resolution to start tumbling again. Hitting many dead ends trying to find a
gym that would allow her to practice (considered "too old" at age 21), Waverly heard about Asheville Aerial Arts from
a friend who had seen the troupe at Riverfest in Hot Springs, NC. Aware of Waverly's struggle to find a way to get
back into a tumble gym, her friend insisted she take a class or two at Aerial Space. Upon the first silks class she
took with Andrew Hartnagel she bought a package of classes and has been attending Aerial Space several times a
week since May of 2010. Waverly is most fond of aerial silks, but she also enjoys aerial sling and would like to learn
more about trapeze and lyra.
Dari Layne
Starting at three years old, Dari began performing and competing in both dance and gymnastics. After graduating
from the University of Miami, Dari began working for Club Med where she was introduced to their Circus programs.
During her 3 ½ years with Club Med, Dari became an performer/instructor for both the adult Flying Trapeze and the
children’s Circus programs, specializing in Single, Double, Swing and Casting Rig Trapezes, Spanish Web, Big
and Mini Trampoline Acts, Vaulting, Adagio, Hand-to-Hand Balancing, Clowning, Juggling and Fire Poi. Dari has
been fortunate to have taught trapeze/aerial arts in Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico and Israel with Club Med and HiFli
Trapeze and with KidzSole in China and Hong Kong. Since she began working with the Asheville Aerial Artists over
a year ago, Dari has expanded her repertoire to include Sling Trapeze and has begun to learn Lyra and Silks. Dari
is currently working and living in Asheville, enjoying being able to participate in Asheville Aerial Arts and mentoring
aspiring artists and fellow members of Asheville Aerial Arts.
Blue De Leeuw
Blue De Leeuw is Asheville Aerial Arts principal aerialists and the proud owner of Aerial Space. Blue is a classically
trained ballerina that retired from the dance world, only to explode in the aerial arena. Her discipline and
commitment are apparent in her amazing performances on trapeze, lyra, silks, sling and doubles. Blue is a
powerhouse that we are excited to feature in our performances and workshops. For more information on Blue and
Aerial Space visit www.aerialspace.org.
Craig Lewis
Craig Lewis grew up in Johnson City, TN. He began juggling when he was 9 years old. His aerial training began in
2009 at the San Francisco Circus Center, and continues at Aerial Space. Craig's primary interests are juggling,
particularly club passing, and aerial silk, but he has experience in many other circus arts. He is a double major in
computer science and digital media at East Tennessee State University and also the owner of a mobile DJ
business for weddings, birthday parties, proms and corporate events. His hobbies include rock climbing, caving,
yoga and photography. Asheville Aerial Arts welcomes this new member to the team as our part of ground acts
development team.
Alan Malpass
Alan currently lives in Asheville and takes pride in his work as a Clinical Hypnotist. He chose to live in the area to
attend Western Carolina University where he graduated with the school's first Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater
Performance degree. After graduation, he moved to Asheville to continue his work with Ann Dunn and the Asheville
Civic Ballet. Asheville Aerial Arts is thrilled to have Alan's strong, graceful skills on sling, silks, and trapeze. Alan
has developed his aerial capabilities and we are thrilled to have him as a member of our troupe.
John McGee
John is an Oncology Nurse at Mission St. Joe’s Hospital. He is certified in ropes, is a climber, first responder,
naturalist, husband and father. John enjoys spending time with his family in the mountains & by the ocean. He loves
rock climbing, meditating, hiking, and kayaking with his friends and family. He lives in a home he recently built with
his wife, Monique Cote, an aerial artist and his beautiful son in Asheville, NC. He is traveling the U.S. as a nurse for
a year starting in 2008, to appreciate an extended working vacation.
Eddie Gumm
Award winning artist, Eddie Gumm, designed the Asheville Aerial Arts logo. Eddie is the celebrated artist of the
2008 Bele Chere design as seen at http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2007/bele_chere_announces_headliners/ and
also the Pepsi can design contest. His work can be seen currently at many local venues including the Grove
Arcade, on Pepsi cans, and on his website at http://www.egconcepts.com/ .
Ana Poirier
Ana Poirier originally hails from Johnston, Rhode Island where martial arts was a large part of her childhood. Ana
began her aerial arts training after moving the Asheville to attend Warren Wilson College in 2006. During her four
years at WWC, she participated as an aerialist in the college's annual circus performances. Post-graduation Ana
began working for a local arborist company where she applies her aerial skills to tree climbing. After recently
returning to Asheville Aerial Arts, Ana is continuing to develop her skills on aerial lyra, silks, sling and trapeze. Ana
is know for her amazing strength and endearing personality. Ana was one of the first aerialists to join Asheville
Aerial Arts, but was travelling during their debut at the White Ball in 2007. She has performed with AAA at various
events over the years and will be leaving in the 2011 season for an intensive aerial program at NECCA in Vermont.
Whitney Ponder
Whitney, Photographer and Graphic Artist, is an Asheville native and a natural born artist. She has spent a lifetime
studying and experimenting with various art forms and has many years experience in graphic design, photography
and printing. She holds a degree in Commercial Art and Advertising Design from Southwestern Community College
and is talented in a variety of artistic disciplines. You might spot her downtown shooting photographs, participating
in a local film competition; for which she won a design award, or simply sharing innovative ideas with friends, old
and new! They don't call her Idea Dame for nothing! Whitney currently runs an independent design boutique from
her home and has contributed her wonderful design and photography talents to Asheville Aerial Arts on several
occasions. Visit Whitney at Ponder Design Studio http://www.ponderdesign.com.
Heather Poole
Heather Poole began her aerial arts training with Zay Weaver of the Aerial Angels. She currently resides in
Asheville, North Carolina where she is a performing artist with Asheville Aerial Arts and The Aerial Space Cadets.
Heather teaches both children’s and adult aerial classes at Aerial space where she also diligently continues her
training. She is known for her straddle over split and incredible back bends. Some of her favorite things are aerial
silks, lyra, contortion, dark chocolate, and being outside.
Heather Smith
Heather Smith, Managing Director, was born and raised in Asheville and has a BS from Appalachian State
University. Currently Corporate Sales Manager with the Asheville Renaissance Hotel, she has a 12 year career in
hospitality management and sales. Her community involvement includes a history with the Asheville Jaycees,
Asheville Downtown Association, Asheville Area Arts Council, Girls on the Run. She now serves on the Board of
Directors for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance and Asheville HATCHfest and is a Committee Chair for the Georgia
Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. In addition to her performing arts background, Heather is a brilliant
star in the Asheville community, and we are most grateful to have her talent on the team.
Christine Aiken
Christine Ann Aiken, Artistic Director and Founder, has a passion for flying trapeze, double trapeze, sling, lyra, silks,
and adagio. Former professional dancer First City Jazz Dance Theatre, Northwest Florida Ballet, Pofahls, First
International Jazz Dance Congress, University of Florida, and The Dance Center. She has been competitive diver,
gymnast, model, dancer, and equestrienne that now owns Seambiance, Inc., the managing company of Asheville
Aerial Arts and works for Silverton Mortgage Specialists, Inc. where she is celebrating 15 years in the mortgage
industry. Christine resides with her son, two dogs and cat in historic Montford where she continues to enjoy
traveling abroad, volunteer work for various organizations, golf, fishing, a very active career and social life, and her
passion in aerials.
Anna Bartlett
Anna joined Asheville Aerial Arts in late 2010 after a surprise audition. Anna has been a gymnast since she could
walk and is excited to transfer her skills into the air. A champion pole vaulter, with a very symmetrical face, Anna is
still teaching gymnastics while developing her aerial skills and style. As a child, Anna's favorite thing were moon
shoes (big plastic shoes with rubber bands built in so you could "defy gravity). They didn't work well at all, but the
concept was seductive and that was enough for her. Anna is currently on sabbatical
Monique Andrea Cote
Monique from Miami, and is married with a fabulous family. She is a former gymnast, and 4 time All American
Springboard Diver, and has coached both. She has Bachelors in Education from WWC, and has worked in
admissions for 12 years. For fun Monique loves to surf, windsurf, climb, skate, snowboard and paddle with my
family and friends. She is also a Capoierista, and practices yoga. Monique enjoys wildflowers, gardening, and
reading. She has aerial experience working with Christine Aiken on singles, swinging trapeze, adagio, body
balancing, German wheel, and sling.
Oxo Halo
Halo is a local designer/artist who utilizes his climbing and construction experience in serving as the lead rigger for
the group. He is applying his design skills in custom rigging fabrication projects, as well as assisting Asheville
Aerial Arts in our pursuance of new apparatuses and aerial outfitting, safety devices, and costuming. He is even
considering performing in the future. We are excited to have such a visionary and multi-talented rigger as part of our
Asheville team. Halo is known for his expertise and his artistic insight.
Andrew Hartnagel
Andrew is Asheville Aerial Arts lead aerial instructor. Known as both an extreme trainer and a funny guy, Andrew's
students adore him. As a young child, Andrew watched half an episode of ‘Fame’ with his older sister. Until
recently, that was his primary experience with dance, its influence readily visible in his performance style, and
regrettably, his choice of music. The combination of his aerial skills and years of Kung Fu make him a dangerous
man to fight on the trapeze. He has managed and taught at ropes courses and science centers all over the country,
the result of which being he’s one of the few instructors who will discuss your rotational inertia with a smile. He
hopes you’re having a nice day.
Waverly Jones
Waverly Jones is from Carolina Beach, North Carolina, where she began climbing trees at age 3. She took classes
in gymnastics and tumbling at the Coastal Tumble Gym from ages 7-10, and did not get back into gymnastics until
May of 2010 after perusing a New Years resolution to start tumbling again. Hitting many dead ends trying to find a
gym that would allow her to practice (considered "too old" at age 21), Waverly heard about Asheville Aerial Arts from
a friend who had seen the troupe at Riverfest in Hot Springs, NC. Aware of Waverly's struggle to find a way to get
back into a tumble gym, her friend insisted she take a class or two at Aerial Space. Upon the first silks class she
took with Andrew Hartnagel she bought a package of classes and has been attending Aerial Space several times a
week since May of 2010. Waverly is most fond of aerial silks, but she also enjoys aerial sling and would like to learn
more about trapeze and lyra.
Dari Layne
Starting at three years old, Dari began performing and competing in both dance and gymnastics. After graduating
from the University of Miami, Dari began working for Club Med where she was introduced to their Circus programs.
During her 3 ½ years with Club Med, Dari became an performer/instructor for both the adult Flying Trapeze and the
children’s Circus programs, specializing in Single, Double, Swing and Casting Rig Trapezes, Spanish Web, Big
and Mini Trampoline Acts, Vaulting, Adagio, Hand-to-Hand Balancing, Clowning, Juggling and Fire Poi. Dari has
been fortunate to have taught trapeze/aerial arts in Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico and Israel with Club Med and HiFli
Trapeze and with KidzSole in China and Hong Kong. Since she began working with the Asheville Aerial Artists over
a year ago, Dari has expanded her repertoire to include Sling Trapeze and has begun to learn Lyra and Silks. Dari
is currently working and living in Asheville, enjoying being able to participate in Asheville Aerial Arts and mentoring
aspiring artists and fellow members of Asheville Aerial Arts.
Blue De Leeuw
Blue De Leeuw is Asheville Aerial Arts principal aerialists and the proud owner of Aerial Space. Blue is a classically
trained ballerina that retired from the dance world, only to explode in the aerial arena. Her discipline and
commitment are apparent in her amazing performances on trapeze, lyra, silks, sling and doubles. Blue is a
powerhouse that we are excited to feature in our performances and workshops. For more information on Blue and
Aerial Space visit www.aerialspace.org.
Craig Lewis
Craig Lewis grew up in Johnson City, TN. He began juggling when he was 9 years old. His aerial training began in
2009 at the San Francisco Circus Center, and continues at Aerial Space. Craig's primary interests are juggling,
particularly club passing, and aerial silk, but he has experience in many other circus arts. He is a double major in
computer science and digital media at East Tennessee State University and also the owner of a mobile DJ
business for weddings, birthday parties, proms and corporate events. His hobbies include rock climbing, caving,
yoga and photography. Asheville Aerial Arts welcomes this new member to the team as our part of ground acts
development team.
Alan Malpass
Alan currently lives in Asheville and takes pride in his work as a Clinical Hypnotist. He chose to live in the area to
attend Western Carolina University where he graduated with the school's first Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater
Performance degree. After graduation, he moved to Asheville to continue his work with Ann Dunn and the Asheville
Civic Ballet. Asheville Aerial Arts is thrilled to have Alan's strong, graceful skills on sling, silks, and trapeze. Alan
has developed his aerial capabilities and we are thrilled to have him as a member of our troupe.
John McGee
John is an Oncology Nurse at Mission St. Joe’s Hospital. He is certified in ropes, is a climber, first responder,
naturalist, husband and father. John enjoys spending time with his family in the mountains & by the ocean. He loves
rock climbing, meditating, hiking, and kayaking with his friends and family. He lives in a home he recently built with
his wife, Monique Cote, an aerial artist and his beautiful son in Asheville, NC. He is traveling the U.S. as a nurse for
a year starting in 2008, to appreciate an extended working vacation.
Eddie Gumm
Award winning artist, Eddie Gumm, designed the Asheville Aerial Arts logo. Eddie is the celebrated artist of the
2008 Bele Chere design as seen at http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2007/bele_chere_announces_headliners/ and
also the Pepsi can design contest. His work can be seen currently at many local venues including the Grove
Arcade, on Pepsi cans, and on his website at http://www.egconcepts.com/ .
Ana Poirier
Ana Poirier originally hails from Johnston, Rhode Island where martial arts was a large part of her childhood. Ana
began her aerial arts training after moving the Asheville to attend Warren Wilson College in 2006. During her four
years at WWC, she participated as an aerialist in the college's annual circus performances. Post-graduation Ana
began working for a local arborist company where she applies her aerial skills to tree climbing. After recently
returning to Asheville Aerial Arts, Ana is continuing to develop her skills on aerial lyra, silks, sling and trapeze. Ana
is know for her amazing strength and endearing personality. Ana was one of the first aerialists to join Asheville
Aerial Arts, but was travelling during their debut at the White Ball in 2007. She has performed with AAA at various
events over the years and will be leaving in the 2011 season for an intensive aerial program at NECCA in Vermont.
Whitney Ponder
Whitney, Photographer and Graphic Artist, is an Asheville native and a natural born artist. She has spent a lifetime
studying and experimenting with various art forms and has many years experience in graphic design, photography
and printing. She holds a degree in Commercial Art and Advertising Design from Southwestern Community College
and is talented in a variety of artistic disciplines. You might spot her downtown shooting photographs, participating
in a local film competition; for which she won a design award, or simply sharing innovative ideas with friends, old
and new! They don't call her Idea Dame for nothing! Whitney currently runs an independent design boutique from
her home and has contributed her wonderful design and photography talents to Asheville Aerial Arts on several
occasions. Visit Whitney at Ponder Design Studio http://www.ponderdesign.com.
Heather Poole
Heather Poole began her aerial arts training with Zay Weaver of the Aerial Angels. She currently resides in
Asheville, North Carolina where she is a performing artist with Asheville Aerial Arts and The Aerial Space Cadets.
Heather teaches both children’s and adult aerial classes at Aerial space where she also diligently continues her
training. She is known for her straddle over split and incredible back bends. Some of her favorite things are aerial
silks, lyra, contortion, dark chocolate, and being outside.
Heather Smith
Heather Smith, Managing Director, was born and raised in Asheville and has a BS from Appalachian State
University. Currently Corporate Sales Manager with the Asheville Renaissance Hotel, she has a 12 year career in
hospitality management and sales. Her community involvement includes a history with the Asheville Jaycees,
Asheville Downtown Association, Asheville Area Arts Council, Girls on the Run. She now serves on the Board of
Directors for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance and Asheville HATCHfest and is a Committee Chair for the Georgia
Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. In addition to her performing arts background, Heather is a brilliant
star in the Asheville community, and we are most grateful to have her talent on the team.
Photo by Briscoe Photography
Photo by Brisco Photography
Photo by Briscoe Photography
Photo by Brisco Photography
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