A furry black dog lying on a beige carpet.
A woman in black leotard performing an aerial silk routine on ropes inside a gym or circus training space.
Aerial silk performer hanging upside down with a purple and silver costume, performing on a stage with camouflage netting backdrop.

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.

Download her resume.

Danielle Bayliss

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).

Download her resume.

Smiling woman with long dark hair wearing large circular earrings and a necklace, outdoors with blurred green background.
Close-up of a woman with curly short hair, blue eyes, red lipstick, wearing a floral top and a nose ring.

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.

A woman performing aerial silks, sitting on a red hammock, holding a small black hoop, with red fabric and a metal truss structure in the background.
A woman with long, curly hair is sitting on a red swing hanging from a playground structure, holding onto the black ropes of the swing with her hands. She is looking up and to the side with a slight smile, wearing a black sleeveless top and black leggings, against a bright blue sky with some clouds.

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.

Erin Fiandt

Instructor

Versatile Mover. Inclusive Educator.

Erin is an Indianapolis native with 20 years of experience working with young movers. She brings a diverse movement background that includes dance, gymnastics, musical theater, cheerleading, and show choir, as well as experience developing summer camp programs. Erin brings energy and imagination to her coaching and especially enjoys working with neurodivergent kids and their unique sensory profiles. She began practicing aerial arts in 2025 and is excited to continue expanding her repertoire while inspiring young movers to become their best selves. 

A female aerialist performing on red silk fabric in front of an audience at a circus or acrobatic event.
Aerial silk performer in black attire ascending red aerial silks attached to a metal truss structure.
Circus performer saluting on stage, standing in profile under a hanging trapeze, with dramatic lighting creating shadows.

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!

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