Meet Our Instructors & Staff
Bobbye Koning (She/her)
|
Silks and FlexibilityOver the past 10 years, Bobbye’s love for aerial silks turned into a passion for teaching. Driven by her compassion for her students, she made it her mission to create a safe and structured aerial program. She opened Grand Rapids Aerial Lounge in 2023, where she strives to bring circus arts training and skill to a new level. Her life outside of the circus world involves being a mother, wife, and hospital physician.
|
Faye VanRavenswaay (She/Her/Hers)
|
Hammock, Lyra, and Yoga
Faye started her aerial journey in 2017, training, teaching, and performing aerial arts. She was our first instructor to join the Aerial Lounge, where she started teaching Lyra, Hammock, and Yoga. She also holds Aerial Yoga classes outside of the Lounge with Aerial Yoga with Faye.
|
Kendra Garcia (She/Her/Hers)
|
Trapeze, Hammock, Lyra, Rope, Kids Aerial, Acro Dance
Her 17 years of combined coaching experience in competitive gymnastics and circus arts have cultivated her wealth of knowledge and skill. She has a deep understanding of the physical demands and proper progressions to support longevity in the
circus arts. Kendra has performed on multiple apparatuses. Outside of the studio, she holds a Doctorate of Medicine and is currently pursuing certification as a behavior analyst.
|
Olivia McNally (She/Her/Hers)
|
Lollipop, Lyra, Pole
Liv began her aerial journey with Pole in 2020. After trying Lyra and Hammock, she then discovered her new love, Lollipop. Since 2023, she has combined her pole and lyra expertise to create a curriculum for this growing apparatus. Liv also performs burlesque, aerial acts, or even delights audiences by appearing as beloved princesses!
|
Ally DePoy (She/Her/Hers)
|
Pole, Heels, Liquid Motion, Twerk
Ally found pole dancing in 2014 and started teaching in 2016. She opened her home studio, The Pole Suite, for
4 years. In 2024, she joined the Grand Rapids Aerial Lounge team and started the pole program here! Outside of the studio, she enjoys horseback riding and is a book lover! |
Max Aulbach (He/Him/His)
|
Silks, Acro Yoga, Juggling
Max has over 8 years of experience in silks and circus arts, and 3 years of teaching. He began with Kalamazoo College’s Cirque du K, where he served as a member and president, recruiting students and organizing shows. After college, he taught Silks at Gymco before joining Grand Rapids Aerial Lounge, where he now teaches all Silks levels. Max also specializes in juggling, acro yoga, and other ground skills and apparatuses.
|
Megan Smit (She/Her/Hers)
|
Acro Yoga
|
Anna Stewart (She/Her/Hers)
Fab Pole
Mindy Klein (She/Her/Hers)
|
Manager and Event Coordinator
Mindy joined the aerial community as a mom of two talented aerialists who started their journey in 2018. She has since founded Gemini Circus Entertainment LLC and has coordinated multiple successful shows.
We are grateful to have her join our team with her knowledge and experience! |