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 AsheAire and works for WR Starkey Mortgage where she is celebrating 13 years in the mortgage
industry. Christine resides with her two dogs and two cats 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.
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 10 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
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.
Elizabeth Holland
Liz has an inexplicable passion for dancing, lifting things, working with others and being in risky situations. It was
recently revealed that doubles trapeze fits right into all of the preceding categories and thus makes Liz inexplicably
happy. She recently joined the troupe with aerial experience in rock-climbing, including lead climbing and
bouldering both in the states and in France and Canada. She has an extensive background in ballet, tap, and jazz
and a mentionable background in gymnastics and yoga. Liz has traveled to over 20 countries and is relatively fluent
in Spanish and French. To satiate her voracious hunger for beautiful movement she has tried everything from belly
dancing, salsa, contact improv, swing and African dancing . She is currently an independent jewelry artist and
photographer and has been in Asheville since 2004, when she moved from an eco-community in Saint Faustin,
Quebec, where she was making teepees, skinny dipping in glacial lakes, and drinking maple syrup by itself. She
still drinks maple syrup by itself when no one is looking.
Hillary Holmes
Hillary Holmes recently moved to Asheville and joined our troupe as an apprentice in the Fall of 2008. She has a
gymnastics backround along with some yoga and free form dance. She is a visual artist and works at a gallery
displaying and selling arts and crafts. Hillary moved here to leave the city behind and embrace the beauty of
Asheville. She is most interested in Doubles trapeze for the acrobatic movements and the lesson of "trusting" her
partner in the air.
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
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.
Jill Menard
Jill Menard trained in dance at the University of Arizona and the Wellington Performing Arts Centre in New Zealand.
Upon graduation from dance school she founded the FERN DANCE THEATRE, a semi-professional, non-profit
dance company in New Zealand. She choreographed and directed five full-length shows for the company. She also
created JAM Danceworks, a dance studio specializing in jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary dance, offering
classes for ages 3-adult. Jill recently relocated to Asheville and is thrilled to be training with the Asheville Aerial Arts.
She began her aerial training at the Wellington Circus Trust in 2007 and is excited to be furthering her skills as an
aerialist. In addition to aerials and dance, Jill spends her time working as a nanny, writing novels and short stories,
creating sugar-free, raw, vegan desserts, hiking, and juggling.
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/ .
Erica M. Nunnally
Erica has recently joined Asheville Aerial Arts from Canopy Studios in Athens, Georgia. Erica's graceful single point
trapeze skills have been a much anticipated addition to Asheville Aerial Arts repertoire. Erica has been instrumental
in the training and expansion of acts including doubles and singles choreography on trapeze and lyra. Having a
lifelong passion for dance, Erica began studying aerial arts in 2001 in Athens, GA where she became an
experienced performer and instructor at Canopy Studio under the direction of Susan Murphy. She has also trained
in Berkeley, CA with Terry Sendgraff, a noted pioneer in aerial dance. After moving to Asheville in 2008, Erica
became involved with Asheville Aerial Arts and has participated in several performances.
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 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 AsheAire and works for WR Starkey Mortgage where she is celebrating 13 years in the mortgage
industry. Christine resides with her two dogs and two cats 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.
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 10 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
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.
Elizabeth Holland
Liz has an inexplicable passion for dancing, lifting things, working with others and being in risky situations. It was
recently revealed that doubles trapeze fits right into all of the preceding categories and thus makes Liz inexplicably
happy. She recently joined the troupe with aerial experience in rock-climbing, including lead climbing and
bouldering both in the states and in France and Canada. She has an extensive background in ballet, tap, and jazz
and a mentionable background in gymnastics and yoga. Liz has traveled to over 20 countries and is relatively fluent
in Spanish and French. To satiate her voracious hunger for beautiful movement she has tried everything from belly
dancing, salsa, contact improv, swing and African dancing . She is currently an independent jewelry artist and
photographer and has been in Asheville since 2004, when she moved from an eco-community in Saint Faustin,
Quebec, where she was making teepees, skinny dipping in glacial lakes, and drinking maple syrup by itself. She
still drinks maple syrup by itself when no one is looking.
Hillary Holmes
Hillary Holmes recently moved to Asheville and joined our troupe as an apprentice in the Fall of 2008. She has a
gymnastics backround along with some yoga and free form dance. She is a visual artist and works at a gallery
displaying and selling arts and crafts. Hillary moved here to leave the city behind and embrace the beauty of
Asheville. She is most interested in Doubles trapeze for the acrobatic movements and the lesson of "trusting" her
partner in the air.
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
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.
Jill Menard
Jill Menard trained in dance at the University of Arizona and the Wellington Performing Arts Centre in New Zealand.
Upon graduation from dance school she founded the FERN DANCE THEATRE, a semi-professional, non-profit
dance company in New Zealand. She choreographed and directed five full-length shows for the company. She also
created JAM Danceworks, a dance studio specializing in jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary dance, offering
classes for ages 3-adult. Jill recently relocated to Asheville and is thrilled to be training with the Asheville Aerial Arts.
She began her aerial training at the Wellington Circus Trust in 2007 and is excited to be furthering her skills as an
aerialist. In addition to aerials and dance, Jill spends her time working as a nanny, writing novels and short stories,
creating sugar-free, raw, vegan desserts, hiking, and juggling.
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/ .
Erica M. Nunnally
Erica has recently joined Asheville Aerial Arts from Canopy Studios in Athens, Georgia. Erica's graceful single point
trapeze skills have been a much anticipated addition to Asheville Aerial Arts repertoire. Erica has been instrumental
in the training and expansion of acts including doubles and singles choreography on trapeze and lyra. Having a
lifelong passion for dance, Erica began studying aerial arts in 2001 in Athens, GA where she became an
experienced performer and instructor at Canopy Studio under the direction of Susan Murphy. She has also trained
in Berkeley, CA with Terry Sendgraff, a noted pioneer in aerial dance. After moving to Asheville in 2008, Erica
became involved with Asheville Aerial Arts and has participated in several performances.
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 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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