Asheville Aerial Arts Members
Christine Aiken, Artistic Director
Heather Smith, Managing Director
Oxo Halo, Lead Rigger/Designer
Jason Briscoe, Staff Photographer
Mary Beth Kingston, Administrator
Kelledy Francis, Costume Designer
Blue de Leeuw, Artist/Instructor
Andrew Hartnagel, Artist/Rigger/Instructor
Dari Layne, Artist
Alan Malpass, Artist
Hillary Holmes, Artist
Erica M. Nunnally, Artist
Alex Berkow, Artist
Elizabeth Holland, Apprentice
Katelyn Deaton, Apprentice
Peter Pfister, Alumni
Monique Cote, Alumni
John McGee, Alumni
Lindsey Morrow, Alumni
Lindsey Butenhof, Alumni
Tim Gallagher, Alumni
Eric Mueller, Alumni
Glenn Evens, Alumni
Anna Holbrook, Alumni
Christina Ludescher, Alumni
Joshua McCafferty, Alumni
Ambra Lionstone, Alumni
Alethea Schaffer, Alumni
Alicia Bliss Hall, Alumni
Candice Caldwell, Alumni
Eli Strongheart, Alumni
Ana Poirier, Alumni
Amy Powell, Alumni
Kelly Stracenar, Alumni
Nevado Russell, Alumni
Renee Graziano, Alumni
Jill Menard, Alumni
Samantha Bird, Alumni
Scott Thompson, Make Up Artist
Katie Kasben, Make Up Artist
Wesley Bolden, Make Up Artist
Christine Aiken, Artistic Director
Heather Smith, Managing Director
Oxo Halo, Lead Rigger/Designer
Jason Briscoe, Staff Photographer
Mary Beth Kingston, Administrator
Kelledy Francis, Costume Designer
Blue de Leeuw, Artist/Instructor
Andrew Hartnagel, Artist/Rigger/Instructor
Dari Layne, Artist
Alan Malpass, Artist
Hillary Holmes, Artist
Erica M. Nunnally, Artist
Alex Berkow, Artist
Elizabeth Holland, Apprentice
Katelyn Deaton, Apprentice
Peter Pfister, Alumni
Monique Cote, Alumni
John McGee, Alumni
Lindsey Morrow, Alumni
Lindsey Butenhof, Alumni
Tim Gallagher, Alumni
Eric Mueller, Alumni
Glenn Evens, Alumni
Anna Holbrook, Alumni
Christina Ludescher, Alumni
Joshua McCafferty, Alumni
Ambra Lionstone, Alumni
Alethea Schaffer, Alumni
Alicia Bliss Hall, Alumni
Candice Caldwell, Alumni
Eli Strongheart, Alumni
Ana Poirier, Alumni
Amy Powell, Alumni
Kelly Stracenar, Alumni
Nevado Russell, Alumni
Renee Graziano, Alumni
Jill Menard, Alumni
Samantha Bird, Alumni
Scott Thompson, Make Up Artist
Katie Kasben, Make Up Artist
Wesley Bolden, Make Up Artist
About Us
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Get Involved in Asheville Aerial Arts
We invite anyone interested in aerial arts to contact us and become involved. We are
always looking for new talent, acts, apparatuses, aspiring artists, ground acts, make-up
artists, choreographers, costume designers, instructors, setters, riggers, and spotters.
As you will see in our biographies, the members of Asheville Aerial Arts come from a
variety of backgrounds, with and many without prior experience. We need assistance with
rehearsal and storage space, as well. Please contact us at info@ashevilleaerialarts.com
or at 828-301-5615 for more information.
We invite anyone interested in aerial arts to contact us and become involved. We are
always looking for new talent, acts, apparatuses, aspiring artists, ground acts, make-up
artists, choreographers, costume designers, instructors, setters, riggers, and spotters.
As you will see in our biographies, the members of Asheville Aerial Arts come from a
variety of backgrounds, with and many without prior experience. We need assistance with
rehearsal and storage space, as well. Please contact us at info@ashevilleaerialarts.com
or at 828-301-5615 for more information.
Booking Asheville Aerial Arts
We are available to perform for a variety of events and functions. Your guests will be
astonished and intrigued by our aerial acts. Rarely will you find a more versatile form of
entertainment to compliment your party, performance, or event. Each performance is
customized to accomplish your visual goals in the venue of your choice. Our event
coordinator, Heather Smith, is an experienced professional available to help plan your
event from top to bottom. The cost is calculated based on the type, duration, magnitude,
and scope of the event. Please contact us to set up a consultation for your next event. Our
Services page contains more information regarding our requirements, rates, references,
and much more. To book Asheville Aerial Arts, please email
events@ashevilleaerialarts.com or call 828-301-5615.
We are available to perform for a variety of events and functions. Your guests will be
astonished and intrigued by our aerial acts. Rarely will you find a more versatile form of
entertainment to compliment your party, performance, or event. Each performance is
customized to accomplish your visual goals in the venue of your choice. Our event
coordinator, Heather Smith, is an experienced professional available to help plan your
event from top to bottom. The cost is calculated based on the type, duration, magnitude,
and scope of the event. Please contact us to set up a consultation for your next event. Our
Services page contains more information regarding our requirements, rates, references,
and much more. To book Asheville Aerial Arts, please email
events@ashevilleaerialarts.com or call 828-301-5615.
Past Events
2007
Frost, Patrons Party, Asheville Area Arts Council's White Ball, Haywood Park Hotel Atrium
Warren Wilson College Circus Show, Bryson Gym, Black Mountain, NC
JCC Summer Carnival, Jewish Community Center of Asheville
Bele Chere, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, Orange Peel
"J" du Soliel, Lioncrest at the Biltmore Estate, JCC Annual Gala Event
River Arts Sculpture Festival Wrap Up Party, Flood Gallery, Phil Mechanic Building
Various Private Functions
2008
CD Release Party, Daniels, Chrysalis Landing in West Asheville
Hatch Kickoff Party, Echo Mountain Recording Studios
Winter, Cold Cut Circus, Chrysalis Landing in West Asheville
Woodward McKee's Rat Pack Party, Downtown Asheville
Warren Wilson College Circus Show, Bryson Gym, Black Mountain, NC
Cirque Du MPAC, Orange Peel, Downtown Asheville
Carolina's Meeting Professionals Intl Annual Meeting, Renaissance Asheville Hotel
Spring 2008 Lake Eden Arts Festival, Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain, NC
Rockin' Riverfest, Carrier Park, Asheville, NC
Trinumeral Festival, Deerfields, NC
Yo Momma's Big Fat Booty Band, Deerfields, NC
The Afromotive, Deerfields, NC
Her Majesty's Garden Gathering, North Asheville, NC
Charlotte Computer Recycling Center Grand Opening, Asheville, NC
Bounce Circus, Shoreline Ballroom, Hilton Head Island, SC
Fall 2008 Lake Eden Arts Festival, Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain, NC
Best of WNC, Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
Champagne Ball, Shay Brown Events, Asheville, NC
Various Private Functions
2009
Grand Opening Shay Brown Events, Downtown Asheville, NC
Green is the New Black, Jewish Community Center of Asheville
Guilford Green Foundation Gala, The Proximity Hotel, Greensboro, NC
Masquerade, Poetix, The Asheville Movement Center, West Asheville, NC
Hatch Closing Party, The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
Earth Day Celebration, The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
JCC Performance Series, Jewish Community Center of Asheville
Fall 2009 Lake Eden Arts Festival, Camp Rockmount, Black Mountain, NC
2007
Frost, Patrons Party, Asheville Area Arts Council's White Ball, Haywood Park Hotel Atrium
Warren Wilson College Circus Show, Bryson Gym, Black Mountain, NC
JCC Summer Carnival, Jewish Community Center of Asheville
Bele Chere, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, Orange Peel
"J" du Soliel, Lioncrest at the Biltmore Estate, JCC Annual Gala Event
River Arts Sculpture Festival Wrap Up Party, Flood Gallery, Phil Mechanic Building
Various Private Functions
2008
CD Release Party, Daniels, Chrysalis Landing in West Asheville
Hatch Kickoff Party, Echo Mountain Recording Studios
Winter, Cold Cut Circus, Chrysalis Landing in West Asheville
Woodward McKee's Rat Pack Party, Downtown Asheville
Warren Wilson College Circus Show, Bryson Gym, Black Mountain, NC
Cirque Du MPAC, Orange Peel, Downtown Asheville
Carolina's Meeting Professionals Intl Annual Meeting, Renaissance Asheville Hotel
Spring 2008 Lake Eden Arts Festival, Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain, NC
Rockin' Riverfest, Carrier Park, Asheville, NC
Trinumeral Festival, Deerfields, NC
Yo Momma's Big Fat Booty Band, Deerfields, NC
The Afromotive, Deerfields, NC
Her Majesty's Garden Gathering, North Asheville, NC
Charlotte Computer Recycling Center Grand Opening, Asheville, NC
Bounce Circus, Shoreline Ballroom, Hilton Head Island, SC
Fall 2008 Lake Eden Arts Festival, Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain, NC
Best of WNC, Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
Champagne Ball, Shay Brown Events, Asheville, NC
Various Private Functions
2009
Grand Opening Shay Brown Events, Downtown Asheville, NC
Green is the New Black, Jewish Community Center of Asheville
Guilford Green Foundation Gala, The Proximity Hotel, Greensboro, NC
Masquerade, Poetix, The Asheville Movement Center, West Asheville, NC
Hatch Closing Party, The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
Earth Day Celebration, The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
JCC Performance Series, Jewish Community Center of Asheville
Fall 2009 Lake Eden Arts Festival, Camp Rockmount, Black Mountain, NC
Sky High: The story of Asheville Aerial Arts
Christine Aiken, Founder and Artistic Director began Asheville Aerial Arts as an informal project for the Asheville Area Arts Council’s June
16th, 2007 Patron Party, entitled Frost. Approached by Heather Smith, one of the party hosts, Christine was asked to perform an aerial act
on the trapeze. Once discussions had began late in February of 2007, Christine realized the scope of the event and the space. The party
was to be held in the Atrium of the Haywood Park Hotel, a venue that offers 3 floor levels of a glass topped atrium. The space was ample,
and attendance was expected to reach the 450 person mark. Christine decided to make mention that she may be able to assemble and
train a bigger team to offer a more appropriate act for the venue.
The very same day, Christine received a phone call from a friend, Monique Cote. Monique was excited about a performer she had met
that had aerial experience and was willing to work with Monique on developing her potential. The first lesson was to be the following day.
Christine accompanied Monique and a Warren Wilson College student, Candice Caldwell, to the Future of Traditions studio to meet with
Ambra Lionstone. Ambra has been performing for private events in many locations over the past several years. She has developed her
skill mostly as a self-taught artist. Ambra was excited to become involved with new artist willing and able to learn her craft. Christine
called Heather, the party host, to come down to watch and provide feedback. After witnessing the new artists, Ambra, and Christine in
their collaborative efforts that day, Heather Smith was excited about the possibilities. It was then the decision was made to pursue an
endeavor that would lead to the formation of Asheville Aerial Arts.
Recruiting and creation of the rigs began immediately on March 1st 2007. Fabric and hardware was sought and purchased. Conceptual
designs of practice rigs were put into place, and rehearsals began. Starting with a small group of just a few, Christine began spreading
the word to everyone and anyone that would listen about the need for physically gifted individuals capable of being trained on an aerial
rig. Interested parties expressed their desires, and were given location and schedules for rehearsals. Some of the hopefuls simply
realized that heights were not for them, and as the rigs were raised in height, their comfort disappeared. Since the event was only 12
weeks or so away, some of the hopefuls realized the grueling training would not work with their existing schedules. So, the group
expanded to as many as 18, and scaled back to a solid 8 aerial artists. These “Initial Eight”, as Christine refers to them, would eventually
become the amazing human artists featured at Frost.
As rehearsals continued, Christine worked with the artists in group and individual sessions to develop their styles and skills. All the
while, she was meeting with climbers, architects, building supervisors, engineers, and builders to form a collaborative consensus of a
plan to rig the space. Heather Smith and Michael Parker, the hosts for Frost, played instrumental roles in the development of the artistic
portion of the party, as never before had aerial art been recognized in the Asheville community as a form of art. They wanted to change
that attitude and bring aerial arts to the forefront of the community. Through their dedication to the Asheville Area Arts Council, their
volunteer time paved the way for the first ever aerial group to be formed. Heather’s support and encouragement fueled the direction and
creation of what has now become an aerial troupe. Michael Parker’s construction of the original custom rigging allowed the aerial acts to
be performed for the first time in the Haywood Park Hotel Atrium.
Once the artists had been selected and were on their way to developing their skills, Christine began searching for spotters. She put the
word out that she would need able-bodied people with no per-existing injuries to be trained for aerial spotting. This became a crucial part
of the event, as the rigs were suspended between 12 and 26 feet above a hard marble floor. Safety lines, crash pads, and nets were
ruled out because of the type of apparatus to be used, a “Loop” or “Fabric Sling”. So the only component to save an artist from certain
injury and possible death was a spotter. Obviously locating an existing skilled aerial spotter was not an easy task, so Christine decided
to train people to become aerial spotters. As the word went out Christine gathered together a group of law enforcement officers, builders,
climbers, nurses, and other professionals to begin training. Christine owns rigging set up for safely lines, and began working the artists
and spotters in the rigs to learn to fall and catch. This was a skill that none of them wanted to need, but nevertheless, needed.
As the rigs were lifted higher off the ground, Christine began utilizing the spotters for practices. The spotters were trained in lifts, throws,
stunts, catches, setting, and spinning. Radio calls and hand signals were developed for communication in a noisy venue. Spotters were
instructed in catching a falling performer in head first, feet first, lateral, spinning, and twisting falls. Great trust was developed between
Christine, the artists, and the spotters, and it did not come easy. The artists had to function against their better judgment and instinct to
let go and fall out of a rig, and rely on the spotters to catch them. The spotters had to fight their natural instinct of grabbing whatever they
could just to break or control a fall. Eventually, falling and catching became a normal process and enhanced the level and longevity of the
artists and the resulting performance.
On June 16th, 2007 the Asheville Aerial Artists made their debut in the Atrium of the Haywood Park Hotel for Frost. The troupe is now
developed and is performing at various functions, events, and parties. As each event and venue varies, the customization of aerial acts
has and will continue to develop. Pricing is event based, and additional acts such as juggling, stilt walking, slack rope, and fire are also
available.
Christine Aiken, Founder and Artistic Director began Asheville Aerial Arts as an informal project for the Asheville Area Arts Council’s June
16th, 2007 Patron Party, entitled Frost. Approached by Heather Smith, one of the party hosts, Christine was asked to perform an aerial act
on the trapeze. Once discussions had began late in February of 2007, Christine realized the scope of the event and the space. The party
was to be held in the Atrium of the Haywood Park Hotel, a venue that offers 3 floor levels of a glass topped atrium. The space was ample,
and attendance was expected to reach the 450 person mark. Christine decided to make mention that she may be able to assemble and
train a bigger team to offer a more appropriate act for the venue.
The very same day, Christine received a phone call from a friend, Monique Cote. Monique was excited about a performer she had met
that had aerial experience and was willing to work with Monique on developing her potential. The first lesson was to be the following day.
Christine accompanied Monique and a Warren Wilson College student, Candice Caldwell, to the Future of Traditions studio to meet with
Ambra Lionstone. Ambra has been performing for private events in many locations over the past several years. She has developed her
skill mostly as a self-taught artist. Ambra was excited to become involved with new artist willing and able to learn her craft. Christine
called Heather, the party host, to come down to watch and provide feedback. After witnessing the new artists, Ambra, and Christine in
their collaborative efforts that day, Heather Smith was excited about the possibilities. It was then the decision was made to pursue an
endeavor that would lead to the formation of Asheville Aerial Arts.
Recruiting and creation of the rigs began immediately on March 1st 2007. Fabric and hardware was sought and purchased. Conceptual
designs of practice rigs were put into place, and rehearsals began. Starting with a small group of just a few, Christine began spreading
the word to everyone and anyone that would listen about the need for physically gifted individuals capable of being trained on an aerial
rig. Interested parties expressed their desires, and were given location and schedules for rehearsals. Some of the hopefuls simply
realized that heights were not for them, and as the rigs were raised in height, their comfort disappeared. Since the event was only 12
weeks or so away, some of the hopefuls realized the grueling training would not work with their existing schedules. So, the group
expanded to as many as 18, and scaled back to a solid 8 aerial artists. These “Initial Eight”, as Christine refers to them, would eventually
become the amazing human artists featured at Frost.
As rehearsals continued, Christine worked with the artists in group and individual sessions to develop their styles and skills. All the
while, she was meeting with climbers, architects, building supervisors, engineers, and builders to form a collaborative consensus of a
plan to rig the space. Heather Smith and Michael Parker, the hosts for Frost, played instrumental roles in the development of the artistic
portion of the party, as never before had aerial art been recognized in the Asheville community as a form of art. They wanted to change
that attitude and bring aerial arts to the forefront of the community. Through their dedication to the Asheville Area Arts Council, their
volunteer time paved the way for the first ever aerial group to be formed. Heather’s support and encouragement fueled the direction and
creation of what has now become an aerial troupe. Michael Parker’s construction of the original custom rigging allowed the aerial acts to
be performed for the first time in the Haywood Park Hotel Atrium.
Once the artists had been selected and were on their way to developing their skills, Christine began searching for spotters. She put the
word out that she would need able-bodied people with no per-existing injuries to be trained for aerial spotting. This became a crucial part
of the event, as the rigs were suspended between 12 and 26 feet above a hard marble floor. Safety lines, crash pads, and nets were
ruled out because of the type of apparatus to be used, a “Loop” or “Fabric Sling”. So the only component to save an artist from certain
injury and possible death was a spotter. Obviously locating an existing skilled aerial spotter was not an easy task, so Christine decided
to train people to become aerial spotters. As the word went out Christine gathered together a group of law enforcement officers, builders,
climbers, nurses, and other professionals to begin training. Christine owns rigging set up for safely lines, and began working the artists
and spotters in the rigs to learn to fall and catch. This was a skill that none of them wanted to need, but nevertheless, needed.
As the rigs were lifted higher off the ground, Christine began utilizing the spotters for practices. The spotters were trained in lifts, throws,
stunts, catches, setting, and spinning. Radio calls and hand signals were developed for communication in a noisy venue. Spotters were
instructed in catching a falling performer in head first, feet first, lateral, spinning, and twisting falls. Great trust was developed between
Christine, the artists, and the spotters, and it did not come easy. The artists had to function against their better judgment and instinct to
let go and fall out of a rig, and rely on the spotters to catch them. The spotters had to fight their natural instinct of grabbing whatever they
could just to break or control a fall. Eventually, falling and catching became a normal process and enhanced the level and longevity of the
artists and the resulting performance.
On June 16th, 2007 the Asheville Aerial Artists made their debut in the Atrium of the Haywood Park Hotel for Frost. The troupe is now
developed and is performing at various functions, events, and parties. As each event and venue varies, the customization of aerial acts
has and will continue to develop. Pricing is event based, and additional acts such as juggling, stilt walking, slack rope, and fire are also
available.
