Anne Ryan

Studio Owner

Anne moved to Ann Arbor as a child and, despite her travels, has never wanted to leave. This is entirely due to the talented, artistic, and enthusiastic people she’s had the pleasure of collaborating with over the years. While she has been involved in many creative endeavors, her heart will always belong to the stage. She was the mistress of ceremonies and a founding cast member of The Tickled Fancy Burlesque Collective, and she enjoys hosting performances of all types at the Aviary.

Her journey into aerial arts began in 2008, a pursuit that profoundly changed her life. Aerial arts taught her to respect her body’s abilities and gave her a new understanding of her own boundaries. Now, she wants to share her passion for the discipline by providing a safe space for others to learn, explore, and grow.

Anny Bouchard

Instructor

Anny fell in love with movement at a young age tap dancing, and cartwheeling her way through childhood, and performing in theatre throughout high school and college. She discovered aerial and circus arts around 2007, and it was love at first fly. Anny began her teaching career at the Detroit Academy of Kinesthetic Arts, and later founded her own company, PT Arts Academy. Anny enjoys sharing skills and learning new ways of teaching everything from the ground to the air.
 

Kay Berry

Instructor

Kay began her circus journey in 2014 with an aerial silks class at The Ann Arbor Aviary, quickly falling in love with aerial arts and the circus community. With a background in colorguard, she is fascinated by body movement and object manipulation. Kay believes circus arts challenge our minds and bodies in unexpected and rewarding ways. In 2017, she decided to pursue circus full-time. You can find her learning, teaching, and performing at The Aviary.

Katie Hoffman

Instructor

Katie has been involved with the performing arts and various sports from a very young age. The stage was her big dream as a kid. Katie discovered circus arts in 2014. Mesmerized by performances she helped coordinate, Katie leaped into Aerial Arts training in the spring of 2018. Since then she has been an avid performer and instructor. Katie loves to focus on student development and helping each flyer reach their goals.

Cole Black

Instructor

Cole has honed her craft since 2016, performing hundreds of professional shows that showcase her diverse skills in aerial performance (straight fabric, lyra, trapeze, and hammock), magic, mime, juggling, and contortion. As a full-time performer, she emphasizes proper technique, strength training, and choreography, helping to draw out the artist within. Cole believes success in aerial arts comes from motivation and determination, and she excels at making these skills fun to learn, creating an environment where you can truly grow as an artist.

Kara and James Schetter

Instructors

Kara and James began their AcroYoga journey in Ann Arbor over 10 years ago which developed their love for the dynamic flow of movement between two people. It was from then on that they trained at multiple workshops and classes across the US to further their practice and teaching style. They believe AcroYoga brings out a playful side of us and it's through that playful nature and communication that the art form truly begins to shine. 

Jaz Brennan

Play Flight Attendant

Jaz has been passionately practicing aerial silks since 2019. While primarily focused on silks, she’s also explored pole dancing and handstands. Jaz loves performing with the Aviary and enjoys seeing students at Playflight practice on their favorite apparatus. She invites you to fly with her on the weekends!

Akash Rai

Intern/Play Flight Attendant

Akash is a PhD candidate in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He started his journey in the aerial arts as a way to decompress from grad school. Little did he know that would get him hooked. He trains on the silks, lyra and pole (both stage and flying!). Akash loves to perform both as himself and his alter ego, Devi. He believes that everyone should have a little bit of glitter and hand performance in their life. Akash loves being up in the air, as that makes all of his problems seem far far below. 

Stephanie Koenig

Instructor at large

Stephanie fell in love with aerial arts in 2013 at the Aviary. Despite her background in soccer and running, she quickly adapted to lyra, trapeze, and silks. She has trained with professional aerialists in Southeast Michigan and Ohio, and attends workshops nationwide.

With experience coaching youth soccer and working as a mental health therapist specializing in eating disorders, Stephanie is passionate about using movement to promote healthy self-esteem. She is excited to help others discover aerial arts at the Aviary.