Hi, I'm Ashley.

     My journey with aerial began in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, when I was desperately searching for something new and exciting to do. As a stay-at-home mom at the time, I stepped into a local aerial studio with no dance background, no flexibility, no strength and no sense of body confidence.

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     That first class was a disaster. I gave myself whiplash, couldn’t hold myself up, and felt like I would never get it. But it was the kindness and support from the students around me that convinced me to come back. And I did — again and again. Fast forward five years, and I’m completely in love with aerial arts and dance. So much so, I decided to open my own studio — a love letter to the movement, confidence, and sense of community it gave me.

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Since then, I’ve performed in aerial competitions, burlesque productions, local showcases, and ambient aerial acts. I continue to dance and perform, and now, I’m creating a space for others to find that same spark.

     

I’m also a special needs parent to a teenager with profound autism, and that part of my life deeply shaped what Alter Aerial would become. Before opening the studio, I worked as a Special Education aide at an elementary school where I helped create and maintain a sensory room — a quiet space where kids could decompress and return to class feeling regulated and calm.

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     That’s what I want to offer here, too. Alongside aerial classes, Alter will host Sensory Hour: special sessions with soft lighting, calming music, sensory toys, and a lowered hammock swing. It’s especially meaningful to me, because my son — who once struggled with low muscle tone and coordination — has gained so much from simply playing on the aerial equipment at home. Watching him grow stronger helped me realize how connected my two worlds really are.

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Alter Aerial is more than a studio — it’s a space for creativity, community, and care. I’m so glad you’re here.