Sky Dance Studio was formed in 2013 and has had close to 200 people through its doors. Our studio is in Laser Park, Roodepoort and we teach all levels of students including visitors from all over the world. Our classes cater to the average person who has a full-time job, but is looking to gain strength, flexibility and grace through aerial dance.
Sky Dance Studio is one of the only studios in Johannesburg offering instruction in aerial silks and aerial hoop, as well as workshops in hammock and dance trapeze. Whilst classes focus on poses, building strength and fine tuning technique, we as a studio believe in building on this foundation to provide our students the opportunity to perform, thus we host an annual student showcase to showcase this developing talent.
Michelle discovered aerial silks whilst in Durban as a guest judge for a poledancing competition. Soon, it was all she wanted to do! Michelle has been teaching and performing on aerial silks since November 2011; adding lyra to her repertoire in May 2012, and dance trapeze in September 2014. She has had the privilege to train briefly with Cassie Sandou in Vegas and Sarah Romanowsky in Los Angeles, as well as other international artists visitiing South Africa, such as Rachel Walker from Canada and Christine van Loo who currently tours with Cirque de la Symphonie. Michelle is a co-founder of Sky Dance Studio and loves sharing her hard won knowledge and experience with her students, helping them grow in aerial dance. When performing, she looks for songs that challenge her to move and express herself in new ways.
Samantha Birtles has always been passionate about dance, having tried almost every type of dance there is; from belly dance to ballroom, salsa and tap. Samantha found aerial dance in May 2013 and it has become her favourite way to express herself to music. Bringing a strong background in gymnastics and a firm foundation in dance and fitness, Samantha has become an inspiring performer, with specialities in aerial hammock and tippy lyra. Her background in coaching gymnastics has also made her an excellent teacher at Sky Dance Studio, where she became a co-owner in November 2014.
