Meet the Aerial Escapes team…
Tori McGrory
Tori McGrory runs her own aerial school in Southampton and teaches aerial skills at the University of Winchester. Tori began her career as a performance artist after graduating from the University of Winchester, where she studied Choreography & Dance. She went on to teach and dance with various companies, performing in theatres in both the UK and mainland Europe. Subsequently, Tori went on to train in aerial arts, including aerial silks, rope and hoop. She has trained in Thailand and in Miami, before taking part in a professional course at the London based Gravity Circus Centre. Tori has since gone on to perform in London and around the UK.
Siobhan Johnstone
Siobhan Johnstone is an international aerial performer, specialising in aerial silks, aerial hoop and acrobatics. Siobhan trained as a gymnast from the age of 5 in both Artistic and Sports Acrobatics, taking numerous titles during her competitive career. Alongside her training Siobhan also taught, both elite squad and recreational gymnasts, gaining multiple coaching qualifications. After training in flying trapeze at circus schools in California, Thailand and Bristol, her love for circus was born! Stepping into the world of circus was a natural progression for Siobhan, and she has now performed all around the world for a huge variety of events.
Guest Instructors
Lena Sandoval
Lena teaches aerial silks and aerial rope in Vienna, Austria. In true Aerial Escapee manner, she has been exploring unusual conditions for her aerial practice: be it hosting aerial retreats on a sailboat, rigging at dizzying heights from a highline or performing inside a fountain on wet silks. She seeks to create unique situations and tries to find creative, yet safe ways to use elements like wind and water to her advantage. Lena also lets herself be inspired by other movement disciplines. She is passionate about teaching, offering her students support on each step of the way and encouraging their individual style.
Phoebe Hoyle
Phoebe found her passion for aerial whilst graduating on a Street Performance Degree in Winchester, UK. Her performance work explores multiple disciplines combining circus arts, aerial and visual arts. Her aerial journey began at Aerial Southampton with Tori McGrory which eventually led to her being employed as a teacher at their studio. After moving to Bristol she continued her training at Rogue Play Theatre on their Professional Aerialist Course. Phoebe currently runs her own aerial school and likes to focus on the positive impact it has on our physical & mental wellbeing.
George Plymenos
George’s love of heights developed early when he started indoor climbing and bouldering as a teenager. Introduced to aerial acrobatics six years ago, he began his journey at Aerial Southampton before developing and honing his skills further by training with various professional aerial artists, including Tori McGrory, Alex Allan and Aaron Koz. Passionate about silks and rope, George has been teaching at Aerial Southampton for the past two years and enjoys breaking down movement and sharing aerial knowledge with all his students.
Alice Gilmartin
Alice started as a sports acrobatic gymnast from a young age, competing for 8 years and winning various titles in the UK and internationally. She then went on to qualify as a gymnastics coach, where she taught both recreational and elite squad gymnasts. Following on from her gymnastics career, Alice trained for three years at The National Centre for Circus Arts. Here she had the fantastic opportunity to be taught by Mongolian coach Janchivdorj Sainbayar who mastered Alice’s handstand skill and technique. Since graduating with a BA degree in 2015, Alice works as a professional circus performer, as well as a highly experienced coach in handstands, flexibility and acrobatics.
Natasha Cornish
Natasha is an international yoga teacher instructing from her own evolved daily practice which is rooted in feeling emotionally safe first and building strength plus flexibility second. She is passionate about guiding students to be mindful with their bodies, focusing on breath awareness and ‘personal’ alignment. However, above all else, Natasha encourages having fun and enjoying every moment of practice; the good, the bad and the ugly. Natasha completed her teacher training in India prior to further extensive training in many unique disciplines. She now specialises in a variety of styles which she loves in almost equal measure: Rocket, Vinyasa Flow, Yin, SUP Yoga and Yoga for Athletes & Sport.
Rony Elisara
Our very first guest instructor, Rony, lives on the Gold Coast in Australia and will be teaching workshops on the Bali 2018 aerial retreats. Rony is a professional aerialist and trainer and has been involved in the aerial industry for over 15 years. Alongside her aerial knowledge, she is also an experienced personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. Aerial Artistry was launched by Rony in early 2011, due to the desire to share her knowledge, passion and diverse art form with as many people as possible. Rony’s knowledge from all aspects of training and performing, are blended together to create her unique workshops and classes.
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