
Larke Schuldberg
Coach | Trapeze
Larke has been performing and creating theatre since she was a child in Missoula, Montana. After receiving a BFA in Playwriting from NYU, Larke moved to Portland where she discovered aerial and Night Flight and became immediately hooked. She has been performing aerial since 2012. As a trapeze instructor, Larke loves helping her students develop kinesthetic awareness and develop a deeper connection with their body all while learning how to do something amazing. As an theatrical performer, Larke loves all parts of the theatrical process from writing, directing and coaching to performing and stage handing.

John Hernandez
Coach | Silks, Straps, Rope
John Hernandez is an accomplished aerialist based out of the Pacific Northwest. He started his aerial training in 2007. His main focus to Aerial Silks and Straps. In 2009, He completed a certification program in Fitness Technology focusing on Movement Analysis, Class Management and Exercise Physiology. His talents have been shown in Night Flight’s annual Halloween Shows: Fright Night, Portland’s Vampire Masquerade Ball, Portland’s Umbrella Festival, Sir Cupcakes Queer Circus, Prismatic, Whoopee Live, and the Spokane Symphony. In addition to performing, John has spent most of his time developing his skills as an instructor, where he focuses on students establishing a good foundation and fundamental techniques, working on step by step progressions, strength and confidence building.

Chalese Marie
Coach | Dance
Like so many others, Chalese Marie found her voice through movement and dance. She began teaching and choreographing hip-hop, jazz and contemporary at a competitive dance studio at the age of 18. In 2006, she began her pole dancing journey. A chiropractor by day and dance instructor in her free time, she enjoys sharing her unabashedly sexy style while integrating anatomy, biomechanics, and booty shaking into her teaching. As a performer, she is inspired by her love of burlesque, exotic movement and always seeks to use her musicality to tell a story. Chalese began competing in the 2010 USPDF West Coast Regional competition. In 2012, she received her Pro card by placing 1st in the compulsory round at the USPDF National Championship. Earlier that year, she placed 3rd at PSO Pacific Pole Championships, and she went on n to compete at the 2013 PSO national competition. In 2015 she choreographed and performed in the Miss Pole Dance America in the group division with Thigh Highs and Heels. In Night Flight shows, she has been creating, directing and performing chair dance routines since 2013.

Jack Stocklynn
Coach | Trapeze
Jack holds a BFA in Theater and Original Works from Cornish College, where he also studied clowning. Clowning lead to the whole gamut of Circus Arts! As a performer Jack has toured nationally with DoJump!, and all along the West Coast with his own blend of Clowning and Aerial dance, including the National Queer Arts fest in San Francisco. As a director Jack has been making original work with youth and adults for 10+ years. In 2014, Jack created his very own circus, Sir Cupcake’s Queer Circus, a professional circus which celebrates transgender and queer circus artists. As a teacher Jack is a master at breaking down skills so they are easy to learn, and so that anyone can learn a little circus! Jack believes firmly in the power of play, focus and hard work to make innovative circus theatre that can lift up an entire community.

Amaya Alvarado
Coach | Trapeze, Handstands
Amaya is a multidisciplinary circus artist with a passion for art, life, social justice and human connection. Amaya has travelled around the world studying, teaching and performing Circus, Dance, and Yoga since 2010. She has completed both professional training programs at The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) as well as their aerial teacher training workshops. She is co-creator of the new contemporary circus theatre ensemble Show Tinder and Ash, which made its debut in Montreal in January 2015. As a performer, Amaya seeks to make art that matters in the world and inspires people. As a teacher, she seeks to uplift, empower, and facilitate experiences of joyful spontaneity and growth.

Alison Lockfeld
Coach | Contortion, Silks, Rope
Captivated by the circus at an early age, Alison began her circus training with preschool classes at Acrosports in San Francisco. Spending most of her life surrounded by inspiring people and immersed in the circus world Alison has learned a lot about acrobatics, dance, juggling, contortion, clowning and aerial arts. She has trained at a number of schools around the United States, Canada, Switzerland and France. Most notably the Mongolian Contortion Center in San Francisco and Kinetic Theory in Los Angeles. She also studied Psychology and Kinesiology and graduated Occidental College. Alison loves to share her skills with audiences and students.