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Meet Our Instructors

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Mindy Cochran, Founder

Aerial Silks, Aerial Hammock, Aerial Hoop, Flying Pole, Stiltwalking, Cross Training

Mindy carries many certifications in aerial and group fitness. She is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, aerial hoop, and flying pole. She holds the title for title for first place soloist for Montana's first ever pole competition, finalist for Montana's Got Talent (a duet with Instructor Mariah Gladstone). She began learning acrobatics at 33 years young with no former experience in dance or gymnastics, and believes that aerial is movement medicine for all ages! 

Read Mindy's full bio here. 

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Chrystal Effertz

Aerial Hammock, Aerial Silks, Stiltwalking

 

Chrystal is a long-time practitioner of aerial silks and aerial hammock. She is a stunning performer and choreographer; and you can also catch her at events stilt walking! She loves to see students empowered when they conquer a skill they previously did not think they could do!

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Mariah Gladstone

Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silks, Aerial Hammock

Mariah began her aerial journey in 2015. As a practitioner of the aerial arts, she has studied pole, silks, and aerial hoop, while also teaching herself aerial straps and poi. As a member of the Elevated Aerial Performance Collective, Mariah has performed at music festivals, private parties, and fundraisers. Mariah was finalist of Montana's Got Talent, performing a breathtaking duet with Elevated Aerial founder Mindy C.

Like our other instructors, Mariah is a flourishing woman slaying goals outside of the studio! Mariah is a graduate from Columbia University with a degree in Environmental Engineering. She is founder of Indigikitchen (a cooking show on pre-colonial cooking). Mariah has been recognized as one of the top 25 under 25 leaders in Indian County and also as a Champion for Change by the Aspen Institute.

When asked what she wants beginners to know about the aerial arts, she says “Aerial is for everyone! Sure, we come for classes because we love them, but we also gain strength, flexibility, and creativity through our practice! It's such an exhilarating way to workout” 

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Molly Cummings

Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Stiltwalking

Molly is an experienced aerial instructor with over 8 years of practice and 6 years of teaching. Starting as a complete beginner who lacked upper body and grip strength, she was amazed at how quickly her strength grew through aerial training. Specializing in Silks, Aerial Hoop, and Hammock, her favorite apparatus is the Silks, where she enjoys blending creativity with mental and physical challenge. What began as a fun way to play and move soon became a journey of building strength, flexibility, and confidence. Molly is passionate about helping students at all levels experience the same empowerment she felt, guiding them through the process of reaching their aerial goals while having fun along the way.

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Lune Axelsen

Aerial Hoop, Yoga

 

A lover of movement and art, Lune found aerials to be a fulfilling way to blend those passions. As a child, her father introduced to Hatha yoga, which provided an outlet for physical movement while helping her manage stress and face the trials of life. Along her journey she developed a devotion to rock climbing and became a climbing guide. Soon after she was introduced to the aerial hoop and immediately fell in love. Here was an apparatus that combined movement and art, the strength, flexibility and focus she’d learned from yoga and climbing, and provided an outlet for self-expression. 

Catch Lune teaching Aerial Hoop classes at Elevated Aerial as well as yoga flexibility workshops. In addition to the Lyra, Lune is learning silks and pole, and has fallen in love with a new apparatus- the lollipop (a pole with a hoop attached at the top). She enjoys performing in the aerial hoop and lollipop at festivals and events.

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Catherine Murray

Aerial Hoop

 

Catherine, a long time Flathead Valley resident, has enjoyed participating in aerial hoop and pole classes for nearly a decade. Recently, she has been dipping her toes into aerial silks and aerial hammock as well. When not at the studio, she earns her living as a software engineer and loves spending time outdoors with her friends and family. As a type 1 diabetic, she has faced many fitness and health challenges but believes that through community, compassion, and consistent effort anything is possible. She treasures the friendships she has made throughout her aerial fitness journey and is excited to share her love of aerial hoop with her students.

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Bailey Plympton

Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silks, Go-Go Dancing, Stiltwalking, Flying Pole

Bailey is a dedicated instructor, a stunning performer, a cancer survivor, an Epilepsy warrior, and the mother of twins. She holds the title for title for first place duet for Montana's first ever pole competition. When asked if she has anything she wants others to know about aerial fitness, she said “I fully believe that if I can do aerials, anyone can. I will be forever grateful for the incredible aerial community Mindy founded; and I will continuously strive to empower and support others in the community, as Mindy empowered me.”  Read more about Bailey's inspiring journey here. 
 

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