Next up in our series is ADWI Instructor Danielle DiCarlo-Pamperin, the 31 year old business owner of DiCarlo-Pamperin Counseling & Wellness LLC, a mental health practice. She and her husband Scott have been married for 7 years, and have two sweet dogs named Cleo and Leah. Read on to find out more about Instructor Danielle, in her own words.
Q: How/when did you first get started with pole/aerials? Tell us about the first class you took. What was it like?
A: I started in January of 2022 and became an instructor in March of 2024. My first class was with instructor Kelli, and it was an intro to aerial class. I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into because I thought I was signing up for aerial yogaI was looking for something to do during the winter months. I am a long-distance runner and love running in the summer and fall, but I often feel sluggish in the winter and spring. After learning about all the different apparatus, I was hooked right away. I started with the four-classes-a-month membership but quickly upgraded to the unlimited membership after my first pay cycle.
Q: What advice would you give to women who feel too intimidated to start?
A: I like to tell people that if I can do it, anyone can with consistency and support. I never put expectations on myself to move quickly in my aerial journey. As a runner, I didn’t have much upper-body strength, and outside of running, I never considered myself athletic by any metric. I was the girl who skipped gym class. It took me about three months before I got my first climb in silks. I remember feeling so excited that day! I would tell someone who may be scared that this is a welcoming environment where you can learn and grow at your own pace. It takes time and patience with yourself to build strength, but it is definitely possible.
Q: What is your favorite apparatus? What are your favorite moves (or combos) to teach on it?
A: Silks is my first love, but right now I have been focusing more on hammock. I love finding new pathways into a move like side arabesque.I enjoy teaching in sequences because I find it helpful in all-level classes. Some students can focus on flow and progression within familiar moves, while newer students can focus on building strength and confidence with one or two moves from the combo.
Q: Do you ever get hit with imposter syndrome? How do you handle it?
A: Of course! We all do.I try not to take myself too seriously. I am not, and will never be, a professional aerialist. As long as people are safe and having fun, that is what matters most to me. I also encourage students in upper-level classes to support and uplift newer students.
Q: Please share a favorite class or performance memory.
A: My favorite aerial memory was traveling to Bristol this past summer. My husband has always been incredibly supportive, and we love traveling together. Getting to train in another country was a beautiful experience that I will always keep close to my heart.
