DANIELA TORRES (She/Her)
Daniela is the owner, founder, and principal instructor for Springfield Aerial Fitness. Daniela has been in dance performance companies since 2005 as well as Springfield Dance Alliance from 2011-2016. When she discovered aerial arts in 2015, her fascination quickly grew to an obsession. She began traveling around the United States and studying as much as she could in order to bring back quality education that her instructors could be proud of.
She got her teacher certification from Aircat Aerial Arts in Boulder Circus School in August 2016 and has gotten to train with world renowned performers such as Tanya Burka, Rain Anya, Waverly Jones, Sarah Romanowski, Teo Spencer, Elsie Smith, Aaron Koz, Itzel Salvatierra, Jenny Atomic, Fractal Tribe and the team at Frequent Flyers.
As with rock climbing, aerial arts serve as a method to train her body, mind and spirit. Her passion is to find stillness, map fears, crush limiting beliefs and connect to one’s higher self through movement. Her favorite part about sharing her aerials is watching this process happen in others and noticing how it effects change in other aspects of their lives.
Josi Appling (She/Her)
Josi's love affair with pole started in 2013 when she took her first pole class in Modesto, California. Over the years she has performed at several open houses for her previous studio, fundraising events, and even competed in the 2016 Pacific Pole Championships. Exotic flow and sensual movement has helped Josi get more comfortable in her own skin and renew lost confidence, and there is nothing she loves more than seeing others benefit and fall in love with pole the way she has. Her expressive, inviting, and sassy personality mixed with floor work and spins makes exotic classes that much more fun and flirty!
Josi's love affair with pole started in 2013 when she took her first pole class in Modesto, California. Over the years she has performed at several open houses for her previous studio, fundraising events, and even competed in the 2016 Pacific Pole Championships. Exotic flow and sensual movement has helped Josi get more comfortable in her own skin and renew lost confidence, and there is nothing she loves more than seeing others benefit and fall in love with pole the way she has. Her expressive, inviting, and sassy personality mixed with floor work and spins makes exotic classes that much more fun and flirty!
Megan Blake (She/Her)
A lifelong mover with a background in gymnastics, Megan enjoys the challenge and creativity that circus arts offers. Megan’s circus arts journey began in 2017 and has been a part of life ever since. She has trained nationally and internationally with aerial artists and handbalancers, finding a love in both forms of movement.
A lifelong mover with a background in gymnastics, Megan enjoys the challenge and creativity that circus arts offers. Megan’s circus arts journey began in 2017 and has been a part of life ever since. She has trained nationally and internationally with aerial artists and handbalancers, finding a love in both forms of movement.
Kelsey Mills (She/her)
Kelsey started her aerial journey in 2020 and instantly fell in love with it. While she trains primarily on the aerial hoop, she's had so much fun exploring other apparatuses along the way. She is always looking to learn something new and push herself to the next level. What she loves most about aerial is how everyone brings their own style and energy—it’s such a cool mix of strength, creativity, and expression. She is all about helping others build confidence, have fun, and discover what makes them feel powerful in the air.
Kelsey started her aerial journey in 2020 and instantly fell in love with it. While she trains primarily on the aerial hoop, she's had so much fun exploring other apparatuses along the way. She is always looking to learn something new and push herself to the next level. What she loves most about aerial is how everyone brings their own style and energy—it’s such a cool mix of strength, creativity, and expression. She is all about helping others build confidence, have fun, and discover what makes them feel powerful in the air.
Sara Simpson (She/her)
Sara began her aerial journey in 2019 and quickly found her passion for silks and lyra, but continues dabbling in pole and sling as well. Sara is committed to promoting longevity in aerial arts and emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical therapy (PT) into training to support long-term health and prevent injury. She values the role of progressions in developing skill, ensuring that each movement is built upon a strong foundation. Active flexibility is also a key focus in Sara's training approach, alongside the crucial practice of rest to allow the body to recover and grow. Outside of regular training, Sara attends annual workshops to stay connected with the global aerial community and continue refining her skills.
Sara began her aerial journey in 2019 and quickly found her passion for silks and lyra, but continues dabbling in pole and sling as well. Sara is committed to promoting longevity in aerial arts and emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical therapy (PT) into training to support long-term health and prevent injury. She values the role of progressions in developing skill, ensuring that each movement is built upon a strong foundation. Active flexibility is also a key focus in Sara's training approach, alongside the crucial practice of rest to allow the body to recover and grow. Outside of regular training, Sara attends annual workshops to stay connected with the global aerial community and continue refining her skills.
