DANIELA TORRES
Daniela is the owner, founder, and principal instructor for Springfield Aerial Fitness. Daniela has danced & performed with Phenomenon Dance Company since 2005 as well as Springfield Dance Alliance since 2011. 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.
Marissa Pence
Marissa is one of our Pole Fitness, Circus Kids and Silks instructors. Marissa has been with Springfield Aerial Fitness since 2016. Her background in movement originated with dance and expanded into fitness. When she found aerial (despite a fear of heights) she quickly discovered you could combine the two. She has a deep admiration for the "Ground-to-Air" style of aerial, particularly with aerial sling.
Continuing education and expanding her aerial lineage are paramount to Marissa. She has trained with various distinguished instructors such as Susan Murphy, Danielle Garrison, Yuki Tsuji, Teo Spencer and the Frequent Flyers team.
Marissa believes aerial is self-care in all forms: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. She hopes to share these practices, while encouraging others to believe in themselves and their capabilities. Aerial has helped her break through mental barriers, achieve goals, and supported her as she evolves in life and her training. SAF and the aerial community has given her a home.
Continuing education and expanding her aerial lineage are paramount to Marissa. She has trained with various distinguished instructors such as Susan Murphy, Danielle Garrison, Yuki Tsuji, Teo Spencer and the Frequent Flyers team.
Marissa believes aerial is self-care in all forms: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. She hopes to share these practices, while encouraging others to believe in themselves and their capabilities. Aerial has helped her break through mental barriers, achieve goals, and supported her as she evolves in life and her training. SAF and the aerial community has given her a home.
Josi Appling
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!
BRITTANY ROYCE
Brittany is our Circus Kids, Handstands and Trapeze & Lyra Instructor. Brittany’s passion for acrobatics started at three years old when she first discovered gymnastics. She was a competitive gymnast for ten years and coached gymnastics for seven years. She discovered Aerial Arts in 2013 while living in San Diego and hasn’t stopped learning since. It is an art form that enables her to express her faith and continue pursuing acrobatics in her adult life.
Brittany is currently studying at The Actor's Gymnasium in Chicago!