Meet Our Instructors
Our instructors hail from a wide range of backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: a passion and dedication to teaching aerial arts in a safe and professional environment.
Sarah Bolton
Owner & Instructor
Visionary leader. Passionate technician. Sarah has more than 20 years of experience as a performer, choreographer, producer, and instructor. She has completed teacher training with Circus Arts Institute, Paper Doll Militia, and Aireal Yoga. She has produced more than 12 student showcases and cabarets.
Danielle Bayliss
Guest Instructor
Guiding force. Virtuoso technician. Danielle founded High Expectations in 2014 and has more than 10 years of experience performing and instructing aerial and partner acro. She has completed teacher training with the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA).
Kara Barkley
Instructor
Calming knowledge. Graceful mover. Kara has been training and performing aerial for more than 3 years and has been an instructor since mid-2021. She has completed teacher training with High Expectations Aerial Arts and Spin City.
SJ Smith
Instructor
Tenacious technician. Dynamic performer. SJ has been training and performing aerial for more than 5 years and has been training as an instructor since mid-2021. She completed teacher training with High Expectations Aerial Arts and Paper Doll Militia.
Sarah Faught
Instructor
Mindful guide. Elegant mover. Sarah has been training and performing aerial for 5 years and has been working as an instructor since 2022. She completed teacher training with High Expectations Aerial Arts and Paper Doll Militia. She regularly performs as Sarah Suspended in High Expectations student showcases and cabarets as well as in other Memphis shows.
Kristin Berte
Instructor
Detailed innovator. Sophisticated mover. Kristin has been training and performing aerial for 3 years and has been teaching aerial arts since 2022. She completed teacher training at High Expectations Aerial Arts and has performed in student showcases.
Jaz Zielinski
Instructor
Momentum wrangler. Dynamic duo performer. Jaz has been training and performing aerial for more than 5 years and has been an instructor since mid-2022. She has completed teacher training at High Expectations Aerial Arts and is one-half of lyra duo Conundrings.
Toni Louis
Instructor
Empathetic cheerleader. Master of details. Toni has varied roles both on the ground and in the air. She is a wife, mom, psychotherapist, aerial instructor & performer. It was love at first sight when she took her first aerial class in 2019. Since then, Toni has completed teacher training with High Expectations Aerial Arts and Circus Arts Institute.
Toni quickly learned that aerial provides a positive outlet for creative expression and self-love. She feels that aerial offers a safe space to explore, understand, and embrace all that our body has to offer us.
Priscilla Robirds
Instructor
Strong elegance. Curator of flow. Priscilla has been training and performing aerial arts, burlesque, and pole for more than 6 years. She has completed teacher training at High Expectations Aerial Arts and teaches pole, aerial, burlesque, and choreography.
Shannon Berry
Instructor
Innovative fabric wrangler. Gentle force. Shannon has been training and performing aerial for over 5 years and has been an instructor since mid-2021. She has completed teacher training at High Expectations Aerial Arts.
Ryann Lewis
Instructor
Purveyor of movement curiosity. Master of precision. Ryann has been training and performing aerial arts for 2 years. She has completed teacher training at High Expectations Aerial Arts.
Need Help?
Want to learn more about our instructors or find out what classes they are teaching? Check out our schedule!