Instructors

Our outstanding instructors train for six months to achieve all 132+ hours of Aerial Dance Instructor Certifications, obtain a nationally accredited fitness certification, and a pole/aerial specific certification before teaching our students. They train three hours every week to improve their skills and spotting techniques and give up many weekends to learn new tricks and techniques from guest instructors.

To say the Aerial Dance Instructors’ dedication is impressive is an understatement. These women are the heart and soul of this company – their constant pursuit of knowledge makes Aerial Dance an exceptional place to learn.

Paula

Dr. Paula Brusky is the founder of Aerial Dance. Paula was introduced to Pole Exercise in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. A recipient of the Endeavor Postgraduate Research Award, Paula received a Ph.D. at the University of Sydney, was college professor and professional musician before starting Aerial Dance. In addition to running two successful studios in Appleton & Green Bay, Paula is the co-owner of Pole Studio Manager, a scheduling and studio management software. Outside of entrepreneurship, Paula plays bassoon in a local rock symphony, loves to hike and water ski and has spent more than 16,000 minutes under the sea scuba diving.

Leah

Leah attended her first pole class on a whim and has been hooked ever since. She joined the Aerial Dance team in 2011 and now holds multiple fitness certifications including: a Group Fitness Certification through AFAA; beginner and intermediate pole instruction certifications through ETEDance; Biomechanics and Safety for Aerial Fitness through O.C. Pole AV; and numerous certifications from Aerial Dance.

Kim

Kim took her first pole class in early 2014 after hearing about it from an acquaintance, and never looked back. With an extensive background in both dance and competitive cheerleading, pole gave her a way to work out that was challenging, and that she was excited about doing again! She instantly loved being at the studio and the positive atmosphere created there. Kim is now a co-owner and manager of the Green Bay location, and holds multiple certifications from different places where she has trained. She is also a certified USPSF competition judge which comes in handy when helping to train the many women who choose to compete. Kim loves traveling and performing with the studio’s performance team, as well as helping train and prepare to perform. When she isn’t at the studio, she is snuggling her dogs, or working in her flower beds!

Kelly

Kelly enjoyed being a member of a dance team in high school and college. She stayed active in dance by coaching a club team in Cedarburg for 10 years and assisted the St. Norbert College Dance Team. Kelly joined Aerial Dance in 2013 as a member and has loved it from the start. Through the Aerial Dance Instructor training program she has numerous fitness and pole qualifications and is a group fitness certification from AFAA. Outside of the studio Kelly loves being a formulation scientist at Kimberly Clark and ballroom dancing with her husband. In 2017, Kelly won the Judge’s Choice award at Dancing with Our Stars, a fundraiser for Northeastern American Red Cross.

Chrissy

Chrissy tried pole for the first time in the fall of 2014 and completely fell in love with the sport. She enjoys pushing herself to try new things and to step out of her comfort zone. With a background in fitness, Aerial Dance has given Chrissy a way to challenge her strength and normal workout routine. Chrissy is the Appleton Studio Manager and holds multiple Aerial Dance certifications. When Chrissy is not at the studio you’ll find her sewing, crafting, or at the gym.

Lynn

Lynn took her first pole class in fall of 2015 and fell in love with Aerial Dance. With an extensive dance background in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, and competitive ballroom dancing; Aerial Dance was the perfect fit. The aerial arts combines strength, grace, and elegance to create beautiful shapes and lines, fitting perfectly into her style. She has a Group Fitness Certification through AFAA. In addition to teaching at Aerial Dance, Lynn is a manager at a fortune 500 company. When she is not working or on the dance floor, you will find Lynn with her family or in her flower beds.

Alison

Alison took her first aerial class Summer of 2015 as she missed dance and wanted a fun way to work out. She quickly fell in love with the aerial apparatuses and later tried pole, too! Along with the extensive Aerial Dance apparatus and fitness training, Alison is a certified group fitness instructor through AFAA and specifically trained in silks with Paper Doll Militia. Along with instructing at Aerial Dance, Alison loves to travel, read, watch TV & movies, and is a dog mom!

Alyssa

Alyssa took her first pole class through Aerial Dance in 2015 and has been hooked on all things aerial ever since. She is a current student in the Kinesiology program at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and nearing completion of her Kinesiology degree with an emphasis in Exercise and Fitness. Alyssa holds a level one-pole instructor certification through ElevatED pole training. When she’s not at the studio, you can find her outdoors, or reading a book with her cats.

Cybil

Cybil found Aerial Dance when she wanted to find a fun workout and make some friends after moving to Wisconsin! She started as a pole member in April of 2016 and quickly fell in love with the sport. A few months later she took an Intro to Aerial class and the rest is history! She currently holds a Group Fitness Certification from AAFA as well as a Level 1 Pole Certification from ElevatED. She has also logged numerous hours training with the Aerial Dance team. She looks forward to sharing her love of this sport with other women and encouraging them to find their strength and believe their beauty! Outside of Aerial Dance she works as a labor and delivery nurse.

Amber

After three years of thinking about taking classes, Amber made the choice to become a student in July 2018, with a background in fitness time in professional water ski show teams, Amber was a part of water ski teams for several years. Amber was a part of dance team in high school, and participated in other activities like yoga, and kickboxing as apart of her work out routine. Amber wants to make someone’s world better, help make their dreams a reality, in any small way she can, either mentally, physically or emotionally.

Tessa

Tessa took her first silks class in 2019 after admiring and lusting over the talent she watched in countless circus performances growing up. Immediately she fell in love with the amazing & fun workout, the uplifting atmosphere of the studio, and the ability to constantly be challenged and
have something new to work toward—something “normal” gyms don’t quite have. As a tap dancer since the age of 4, Aerial Dance was another unique avenue of dance she needed in her life. When not upside down at the studio, Tessa is road tripping & traveling, hanging out with her cats, playing board games, or volunteering her graphic design skills for a
local no-kill shelter.

Erin

Erin took her first pole class in July 2018 after an old friend asked her to try it out together. Erin had long since stopped going to a regular gym because she found it didn’t hold her interest and didn’t present the kind of challenge she needed to stay engaged. After experiencing how fun pole was and gaining strength and confidence, she took the intro to aerial class and fell even more in love with all the studio has to offer. Outside of the studio, Erin works in accounting, is a dog mom, and enjoys traveling and cooking.

Kiana

One year after moving to Wisconsin, Kiana worked up the courage to sign up for her first beginner pole term in September 2019. You will always find her on the dance floor. She taught dance fitness classes as her college side hustle. She fell in love with aerial because of how strong she felt after taking classes, both mentally and physically. After getting to know the instructors and students, she could not get enough of the amazing sisterhood found at the studio. Her commitment to women empowerment extends outside the studio and into her journey to becoming a physician. She hopes to further advocate for women to be comfortable in their own bodies and take up the space they deserve.

Steph

Steph joined Aerial Dance in 2018 because she wanted to try something different. After seeing some upper level students doing some incredible conditioning, she knew it was where she needed to be long term. She quickly fell in love with pole and how strong it made her feel. Her favorite tricks (on any apparatus) involve anything that make her feel like a “beast.” She loves the Aerial Dance community and seeing women support each other as they try new things. Outside of the studio, you’ll find her spending time with her family and their crazy bearded puppy.

Deanna

Deanna took her first pole class in 2019 on a whim over a lunch break and was hooked from the start! Once she moved to the aerial side of things, she was all in. It quickly grew into a passion and she was thrilled to find that exercise was not a chore but a gift. Learning to move is learning to thrive. When not in the studio, Deanna enjoys reading, music, spending time with friends (and cats) and scouring the country for hole in the wall coffee shops.

Ana

Ana took her first pole class at Aerial Dance in 2016 when she was looking for a better fitness routine. It was not only fun but challenging in an incredibly welcoming space. She was hooked instantly and soon started playing on all of the aerial apparatuses. She even stepped out of her comfort zone and competed in two different pole competitions. When not at the studio, she teaches orchestra to elementary and middle school students, plays harp, and plays board games at home with her family.

Ashley

Ashley started at Aerial Dance back in October of 2018. She started with the first Green Bay open house and instantly signed up for the following beginner pole term. She needed a place that she could be herself, and a place that would build the confidence she knew was inside. Physical fitness was never her strong suit growing up, but now it is something she can’t live without. The instructors and the community are what kept her coming back. Pole and Lyra are her favorites, but each presents its own challenges that she loves. When she’s not at the studio she is hanging out with her cat, and reading anything she can get her hands on.

Maggy

Maggy found Aerial Dance in 2019 when her friend asked her if she wanted to try something new with her. Maggy started beginner pole in the summer of 2019 and quickly fell in love with it. She tried all the other apparatuses and immediately upped my membership to do all of it all the time! She currently holds a Group Fitness Certification from ACE as well as a Beginner Hoop Certification from Xpert Pole & Aerial Fitness. She absolutely loves all the extra training from other aerial dance instructors and special guest instructors that visit us! Maggy’s favorite part about teaching is seeing all of wonderful students accomplish everything that they are capable of! Outside of Aerial Dance Studio, she is a digital content specialist for Heid Music in Appleton and create videos and take photographs any time she can!!her favorites, but each presents its own challenges that she loves. When she’s not at the studio she is hanging out with her cat, and reading anything she can get her hands on.

Eliza

Eliza has been a dancer all her life, growing up doing competitive studio dance and competing on her high school dance team. She took a break in college but was determined to find her way back into the dance world once she graduated. Eliza took her first serious pole class when she was studying abroad as a fun club activity with friends. When she graduated from college in 2019, she found Aerial Dance that summer and was hooked! She loved the challenge that pole brought into her life, motivating her to get stronger, and found that the classes at Aerial Dance brought forth a new form of dance for her to explore. Aerial Dance has provided Eliza with a new sense of confidence and inspiration, and she hopes she can encourage the same kind of confidence in other women at the studio! In her free time, she’s either watching Netflix or playing Switch at home, hanging out with friends, dog sitting, or being a dance judge for WACPC in the winter.

Jenny

Jenny instantly fell in love with pole and the Aerial Dance community in late 2021 after having to be coerced into trying the intro classes. Blowing through several smaller class packages in record time, Jenny upgraded to the Elite package 5 weeks in, because she saw HEELS, and knew she needed these in her life! Jenny became an instructor in 2024 with an AFAA group fitness instructor certificate and a Science of Stretching Coach Training certificate from YOGABODY, and aspires to continue with additional certifications in Heels & Exotic Flow. Jenny has an eclectic background in music, communications, marketing, fitness, & functional medicine. Outside the studio Jenny is a mom, chiropractic assistant, lab interpreter, and nature lover.

Robin

Robin started at Aerial Dance Spring of 2019. As a mom of 3, she was searching for something new and exciting to do. Aerial Dance quickly became her happy place, providing a safe space she could workout, build friendships, and mentally reset to tackle the outside world. Aerial Dance has not only helped her gain strength and confidence but has taught her how to love herself, no matter where she is in her journey.

Danielle

Danielle began her aerial journey in February of 2022 after taking an intro to aerial class. She was looking for something different to help get her back in shape after losing some fitness habits over the COVID 19 pandemic. She grew to love all of the classes offered in the aerial studio and decided to also try pole in the summer of that same year. In September of 2023, she began her training to become an instructor and has since become a certified group fitness instructor through AFAA alongside numerous training hours at Aerial Dance. Outside of the studio, Danielle works as a hospice social worker and in her free time, enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Cleo and Leah. Danielle is excited to continue growing in her journey at aerial dance and looks forward to empowering women to gain strength and have fun along the way.

Amanda

In 2019, Amanda joined Aerial Dance as a student because she wanted to try something new and exciting. She has never been able to sit still. As soon as she could walk, her mom got her involved in dance classes to burn off some of the constant energy she has! Amanda’s love of fitness began when she first stepped onto the soccer field, and she’s been playing soccer for the last 31 years. In college, Amanda taught group exercise classes (dance and strength) and eventually taught the staff on campus for about 12 years. Amanda loves all things aerial, but pole has her heart. Although Aerial Dance is her biggest hobby, she enjoys photography, soccer, being “Auntie Manda” to her niece and nephews, and spending time with her 2 chickens Hashbrown and Lee Lee and her rabbit Bonnie.

Instructors

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