WELCOME TO OUR SANCTUARY

OWNER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Circus Sanctuary was founded by Kelsey Erickson. She has over 15 years experience in the circus arts. Kelsey loves to learn, teach, and perform. She has performed for thousands and has over 20 years of teaching experience. Kelsey completed her professional training program at NECCA where she stayed on to teach for a few years. Kelsey has completed teacher trainings in Yoga, Aerial Fabric, Lyra, Sling,Trapeze, Unata Aerial Yoga, and AcroYoga Montreal. She is also a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Kelsey’s personal mission is to invested in each and every student; she teaches a variety of circus skills to all ages, abilities, needs, aspirations and body types, in a way that is safe, scientifically sound, and technically proficient. She offers a process-oriented approach, and her teaching style encourages self love, awareness, personal responsibility, and joy.

Learn more about her artwork and find her on instagram @kelseyclimbs and follow the studio, Circus Sanctuary @circusanctuary

SEASONAL INSTRUCTOR

Jordan Kensley is an internationally renowned pole dance performer, judge and instructor. She has been dancing aerially since 2011 and strives to embody all variations of this art form. Her experience & technical skill has forged her signature performance style with her compassionate & knowledgeable teaching style.

Learn more about her artwork at jordankensley.com or find her on instagram @jordankensley.

INSTRUCTOR

Emilie Arbaugh is a multidisciplinary artist who has performed nationally over a 20-year career. Her first love has always been Aerial Rope (Corde Lisse),
performing both solo and partner acts on the apparatus.

INSTRUCTOR

Quynn is a queer dancer, aerialist, choreographer and performer who has been practicing different types of dance and movement arts since childhood. With over 7 years of pole and aerial experience and over 10 years of experience as an educator in various forms, they are so excited to help you achieve your pole dance goals! Quynn believes that dance and movement are powerful tools for radical self love and expression. Their teaching style combines their technical knowledge and dance background to help you unleash your inner badass and develop your own personal style and flow. They welcome people of all fitness levels and walks of life to join them for a class and experience the magic of pole!
Follow Quynn on Instagram to learn more @flowmagick

INSTRUCTOR

Na-il maintains a performance and dance background of 19 years. Their signature fusion style incorporates traditional and natural movement, choreographed in an engaging, immersive and comprehensive format.

Learn more about their artwork and find them on instagram @nailaliemmert

INSTRUCTOR

CJ is an aerial enthusiast, visual artist, and physiologist born and raised in Tucson who fell in love with pole and lyra at first sight in 2020. Her practice is complemented by backgrounds in anatomy/physiology and performing experience. She has a passion for helping students find their unique flow with smooth movements and transitions to complement their tricks, helping students achieve what they never thought was possible in a safe and supportive environment.

INSTRUCTOR

Maia Schneider began her circus journey in 2020 by learning contortion as a pandemic hobby. Over the following years, she became dedicated to contortion and began exploring other circus arts such as lyra, trapeze, and pole. Maia aims to make circus accessible for everyone regardless of age, ability, or experiences. She meets all students at their level by actively communicating, modifying exercises, and encouraging safe exploration as students progress through their circus journey.

INSTRUCTOR

Sara has been practising aerial arts for just over 2 years. Her aerial practice is informed by her background as a yoga teacher and club performer prioritising alignment, progressions, and slow controlled transitions. She has worked as a private instructor as well as a group class leader for almost as long as she has been learning the art, and she continues to learn from her practice within the yoga community, the aerial community alike. When she’s not teaching you can find her hanging with her dog Aleister, volunteering at the Desert Museum, and bartending downtown to make the dream machine work.

INSTRUCTOR

Judith (she/they) has a rich background in performing and fine arts and has always been inspired by movement. A certified Hatha Vinyasa instructor, they blend strength, fluidity, and control into their practice. Since 2022, Judith has been performing and training in the circus arts. Judith specializes in sling, lyra, and pole. Their movement style is characterized by slow, controlled transitions and dynamic spins. Passionate about helping others develop their artistry and technique, Judith offers private lessons in pole, sling, Lyra, and act creation.

Instagram: @Mx.Mantis

INSTRUCTOR

Sara Schneider has been practicing pole off and on since 2002, and devoted herself to full time practice in 2020.  She discovered a passion for lyra in 2022, and flying pole in 2024.  Since then she has went on to compete in multiple competitions.  She has brought home medals in several PSO categories, The Florida Aerial Championship, USPSF, and competed for Team USA at the world championship in Barcelona.  Ready to break away from the stringent environment of most competitions, she shifted her focus to teaching and competition coaching in 2024 to help share her experience to others.  She hopes to encourage and empower people, and to show them that they can achieve success regardless of their previous or age.  When she’s not teaching, Sara works as a professional body piercer.  She enjoys rockhounding, hiking, reading and video games in her spare time.  You can find her on instagram @saltwatersaraerial.

SEASONAL INSTRUCTOR

Erin Garber-Pearson is a circus performer and visual artist. She has taught beginner-advanced silks for over 10 years, and Sling and Tightwire for 7 years. She is the founder of Birds Eye View Circus in Toledo, OH and in her 9 years as director taught a myriad of circus skills to people of all ages, as well as mentoring other teachers. Erin completed the Aloft Full Time Training program in Chicago and has also taught at The Ann Arbor Aviary, and The Detroit Flyhouse. Learn more about her artwork at eringarberpearson.com or find her on instagram @eringarberpearson

SEASONAL INSTRUCTOR
Fluent in Spanish

Monica Silva is a multidisciplinary artist, including paint, printmaking, aerial performance, dance, and nursing. She has performed on silks, lyra, and invented apparatuses with ZUZI!, Flam Chen, Dark Sky Aerial, Stories That Soar, and MurphySpeaking Films. She has taught aerial arts to students at Tucson Circus Arts, ZUZI!, and private classes.

Learn more about Monica’s artwork on her instagram @iris.engine.art