A little information about our team…
Brittany Naegel – Owner, Instructor & Performer
At a young age, Brittany enjoyed competing on a national award winning rowing team, coaching swim team for her local community center and assisting with as many outdoor team building adventure activities as possible (such as climbing/mountaineering, rappelling, kayaking, etc.). Her love of movement and passion for using adventure to help others realize their full potential began early on.
Brittany took her first aerial silks lesson in early 2014. After her first touch of the fabric, she was hooked! She began taking classes, training and eventually teaching all over! She believes that everyone has a gift to share, and enjoys sharing her love of the fabric with all who are willing to explore. Combining her knowledge of the body as a Licensed Massage Therapist with her passion for aerials has enabled her to help others realize their strengths, both inside and out.
Brittany performs on many apparatuses, but her main love will forever be the aerial sling/hammock. Her certifications include aerial teacher training with NECCA, as well as rigging and rope course training with Outward Bound, Delbert Hall, Andrew Bundy and Brett Copes. Certified by the Circus Arts Institute (the first ACE recognized teacher training program in America) and Reflex Arts as an aerial silks and aerial yoga instructor, as well as a certified Cirque-it Fitness instructor.
Brittany is available for performances, aerial instruction (sling, teardrop) & traveling workshops! Email her at Brittany@elevated-aerials.com or visit her website for more info!
Samantha Hancock – Studio Manager, Instructor & Performer
Samantha was a pole, fitness, and flexibility instructor at Defiance Studio for 4 years taking students all the way to competition and professional performances. She’s studied multiple dance styles from ballroom, argentine tango, swing, blues, zouk and more. In 2017 she became a certified and licensed Floor Flow® instructor, a floor movement style developed by Marlo Fisken taking inspiration from modern dance, primal movement, break dance, and martial arts. The challenge and freedom afforded by aerial arts has given Samantha the opportunity to express herself in ways unlike anything else in life. Samantha thrives to share and assist others to find that same freedom!
Samantha has completed Born To Fly lyra teacher training with PaperDoll Militia and is a certified Cirque-it Fitness instructor.
“ Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your Soul on Fire!” – Samantha Hancock
Samantha is available for performances, private lessons (lyra, pole, lollipop) & traveling workshops! Email her at Samantha@elevated-aerials.com
Kelsey Long – Assistant manager, Instructor & Performer
Kelsey has been involved with the flow and movement arts for over a decade and had her first experience with the aerial arts at Kinetic Fire. She regularly travels to teach and attend flow festivals.
Kelsey’s movement practice took to the air 9 years ago; she has been instructing various forms of aerial for 6.
Kelsey has trained with aerialists from all over, from Floorwork to Lollipop, Sling, Silks, Lyra, and Pole, she believes that everyone has something to share!
Kelsey’s greatest joy is helping others develop their movement practice. She currently holds certifications in Lyra, floorwork, and circuit-style fitness.
”Let your dreams take flight!” – Kelsey Long
Kelsey is available for performances, private lessons (sling, silks, lollipop, lyra), & traveling workshops! Email her at Kelsey@elevated-aerials.com
William Ott – Instructor
William took his first foray into circus arts when he was 16 and a co-worker brought a unicycle to work. Since then he has learned to unicycle, juggle, diabolo, and show off a few skills in German Wheel. William is always open to the opportunity to challenging himself with a new skill.
William discovered aerial arts a few years ago and was immediately drawn in. The versatility of aerials for strength building, achieving greater flexibility, and providing an outlet for artistic expression are all part of what engaged William.
Seeing students develop a movement style unique to themselves is always amazing. The variety of ways that one sequence of moves can be performed, and the complexity of personality, style, and artistic choice that students incorporate into their work is mesmerizing to watch.
William completed his teacher training certification in lyra with Paperdoll Militia.
William is available for private lessons (lyra). Please contact William at william@elevated-aerials.com
