4/1/24

UpSwing Aerial Dance Company no longer requires that all students continue to wear masks. Students may voluntarily continue to wear masks as their choice. We will continue to offer hand sanitizer for all who enter the studio.

A Destination

"Best Way to Learn How to Fly" SF Weekly's 'Best of the Bay of 2006'

Upswing Aerial Classes on of the "Top 5 exclusive classes to take This Summer 2015" - TheCultureTrip.com

UpSwing classes are featured in “Your 2019 Workout Horoscope: The Best New Exercises to Try in the Bay Area.”

Listed in 2019 Oct issue of Diablo Magazine as one of five events not to miss.

Since 2005, UpSwing Aerial Dance Company has been a Berkeley destination for dancers and aerialists to lift their artistry and skills to new heights. Director Cherie Carson uses her unique style to blend movement and encourage improvisation and collaboration among her dancers and students. We specialize in merging dance with rope and harness, low flying trapeze (Motivity Trapeze), aerial slings, bungees, tissu, and other flying apparatuses. We currently have 5 performing dancers/aerialists in the Company.

UpSwing Aerial Dance Company classes and workshops offer a rare blend of creativity, aerial technique, improvisation, time, and space to motivate the artist within.

Our mission is to inspire and share our love of original, aerial dance, and show that through aerial dance, we can reveal human imagination, our relationships with one another, and one’s inner self. Creative expression and safety are the two core values in our classes and performances.

SUPPORT UPSWING!  MAKE YOUR DONATION HERE!

UpSwing Company

UpSwing is a contemporary aerial dance company that features the repertory of Artistic Director Cherie Carson. The Company has been presented nationally in Atlanta, New York, Seattle & Houston and San Francisco.

UpSwing Community

UpSwing offers opportunities for students to take classes from the Company as well as nationally recognized choreographers and teachers. We also teach workshops across the US when traveling. Cities where we have taught include Atlanta, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Seattle and Santa Barbara.

Studio

ALL classes, workshops and most performances are held at Studio 12 in Berkeley California under the direction of Cherie Carson and UpSwing Aerial Dance Company.

Current UpSwing Repertory

Pressure

Created in 2021, “Pressure” first premiered in Open Air Aerial Festival on Vashon Island, WA. It is a duet on rope and harness suspended from a single point. Performed to David Bowie and Queens “Under Pressure” accapella arrangement written and performed by David Worm.

bad

Created in 2021, is a fun solo on a hammock to the hauntingly beautiful music of Texas artist Carolyn Wonderland.

Knowing Each Other

Created in 2020, this dance is a solo performed on 2 corde lisse ropes to the poetry of Carmen Giménez Smith. It is a frank, honest and vulnerable look at relationships.

Nordlys

Created in 2019 this is an aerial dance for 3 dancers on 3 trapezes and bungee combination. The dance is inspired by my trip to Alaska to view the northern lights.

blind love

Created in 2019, this is a solo on a trapeze.

Origin of Happiness

Created in 2017, this is a duet on one rope, using a pulley to balance and counter balance the relationship between the dancers.  A nerve once believed to sustain the heart, heart string is a place of connection. A thread that is plucked and pulled, stretches and binds, touched it opens the heart.

falling stars

Created in 2017 for 4 dancers on rope and harness performing on a wall. It is a dance that explores the relationships between stars,  the notion that consciousness extends across the universe. 

Teardrops

Created in 2016, this work is a 45 minute aerial dance piece for 6 dancers. "The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears or the sea."   - Isak Dinesen

Winter Dreams

Created in 2015 as a 30 minute work on and off the floor. Includes 10 dancers, 2 musicians and 1 vocalist.

Sina

Sina (Moon Goddess), solo on Lyra. Sina resides within the moon itself, and is the protector of those who might travel at night. She paddled her magical canoe to the moon and was struck by the moon's tranquil beauty and decided to stay.

Dryads

Created 2015, Dryads (Tree Spirits), Group dance on and off 3 tissu

How Much Longer

 Created in 2015 as a duet on 2 tissu to Lauren Carley singing "Wie Lange Noch" song by Kurt Weill  Adapted on 2023 for Cordelisse

Outpost Series: Longing

Created in 2013 for 3 dancers, “Outpost moves through the personal longings of each dancer. Created for aerial tissu and floor dancing

Hijinks

Created 2013, “Hijinks” is a fun group piece for 4-6 dancers on rope and bungee

Chandelier 

Created in 2011-12, “Chandelier” is a duet piece in which the dancers create a living chandelier.

Snowbirds

Created in 2010, “Snowbirds” is a group dance on rope and harness as dancers move snow is released on stag

 
Slightly Cracked

Also created in 2008, “Slightly Cracked” is a humorous solo which involves a raw egg while dancing on a sling

Inside the Circle 

Created in 2007 and first performed at Women who Fly Festival, Mission Dance, SF, CA duet on rope and harness

 
Entwined 

Created in 2006, is a multimedia aerial solo on rope with video projected on a wall

Carried Away

Solo on single point trapeze

Trikona

Created in 2005 is a trio piece on 3 ropes

Kiting

Created in 2001, is an aerial dance on bungee cord

Split Focus

Created in 2001, first performed at St. James Church, SF, CA, site-specific solo using light to create large shadow play

El Vestido de Once Baras or The Dress of Eleven Yards 

Created in 1997, first performed at the Klein Fall Fest, Lake Worth, FL; solo performed in a very large dress

Thank you for keeping us on the UpSwing!

Sponsors

Angel Cakes, David Chee-Reverse Mortgage, Community Bank of the Bay, Phoenix Aerial Art and Pole, Glass Dharma, Classic Cars West,  Venn Acupuncture, Nishi Kaigan Iaido Dojo, Dr. Suzie Lee Chiropractor and Indigo Yoga & Pilates Studio, Ruth Stroup Insurance Agency, Faramarz Moeen-Ziai & Cross County Mortgage

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Assemble Restaurant, Back To Life Wellness Center, Berkeley Moving Arts, David Chee Reverse Mortgage, Buddy Club, Conscious Realty, Chef Pascal, Clif Bar and Co., GoPro, GlassDharma, Monkey Business Camp, Mays Cleaners, Mays Flowers, Netflix, Phoenix Aerial Art and Pole, Sur La Table, Vee Horticulture, Studio 12, Tequila Jorongo, Wente Wines, 8th Street Studio and Sanctuary Bistro, Ruth Stroup Insurance Agency, FLAX Art and Design, Jojo Lamboy - Touch with Intention

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

Donors ($1-$29)

Larry Abel, Jessica Allard, Jennifer Ames, Janet Anderson, Sue Arendt, Arielle, Jerilyn Bedingfield, Blair, Ruth Botchin, Erica Bowman, Judy Boe, Dale Allen Boland, Budinger and Scarpelli, Amy Calhoun, Katherine, Congleton, Alana Conner, Jennifer Conroy, Chris Crane, Fatima Crane, Ashley Dawn, Aryanna Downey, Samantha Farbman, Helen Fitanides, Jonathan Greenwood, Annie Groeninger, Kiran Haithcox, Kevin Hamilton, Summers Henderson, Jessie Johnson, Jade, Barbara & Barry Kaplan, Fran Katsuranis, Kevin Keller, Sahib-Amar Kaur and Amar Singh Khalsa, Teresa Kong, Tina Kopko, Diana Kottke, James Kennedy, Linda Lamerdin, Claire Lavery, Patrick Leaper, Laylabu, Lauren Maddock, Leah Mann, Jay Marlette, Laura Moon, Margaret Mulligan, Bet Muth, Daryn Nakhuda, Christine Newhard, Nancy Ng, Dennis Parslow, Jordan K Paul, Lynn Pfaender, Kaleena Quarles, Marsha Quick, Linda Riccardi, Deborah Sanborn,  Noreen Sanders, Laura Schatzkin, Mark Segura, Lisa Smeraldi, Debra S, Theron Shaw, Tom Spach, Annie Stenzel, David, Strohm, Catherine Stern, Blanka Soltys, Bernie Talerico, Kate Tanaka, Penny Taylor, Ruby Thomas, Jessika Vermette, Azzia and Nick Walker, Isabella Wilke, Beth & Eric Zuckerman

UpSwing Trekkers ($30-$49)

Dan Bornstein, Carla Koopal, J. Tanner Cusick, Micki Duxbury, Linda Elkin, Daniel Evans & Jennifer Pesek, Farshid Farrahi, Ashley Foster, Flux Foundation, Susan Godes, Steffan Haithcox, Jessie Johnson, Judith Justiz, Janet Kaplan, Carla Koopal, Evangel King, Kimberly Markison, Mark Pasley, Spencer Perry, Rachna Ram, Mark Ray, Roy Anthony Shabla, Patricia Reedy, Annie Stine, Cathleen Valentine, Yolanda Vasquez

UpSwing Foothold Donors ($50-$99)

Dr. Jan Alden, Jason Anderson, Karta Purkh-Atehortua, Sheila Bannon, Vanessa Berkmark, Deborah Cavanaugh, Lauren Carter, Ashley Dawn, Michelle Drexler, Ian Ellison, Brian Estlin, Molissa Fenley, Robin Gaskins, Karin Golde, Vicki Gunter & Peter Brown, Ralph Hamilton, Isabelle Haithcox, Marilyn Haithcox, Katharine Harts, Roni Hoke, Sabine Jeske, John Kane, Bhavneet Kaveeshar,  Nancy Leatzow, Gillian Leslie, Samuel Levin, Deena Levy, Joe Lutz, Luxzia, Heather Mitchell, Bob Larsen and Linda Mauskopf, Margaret Medina, Sabra Melamed, Mona Meline, Leah Miller-Freeman,  Sana Noble, Anne Ogonowski, Daniel Perlman, Rosanna Poret, Linda Riccardi, Sanctuary for the Arts, Debra Sanborn, Noreen Sanders, Katherine Sardinha, Sue Schroeder, Ashvin Shah, Amy Sheridan, Alexis Shusterman, Alissa Soto, Tom Spach and Bunny Vrooman, Kevin Stamps, Marcy Straw, Susan Stubbs, Sara Stutz, Sola Takahashi, Tara, Celeste Vasti,  Melia Vilain, Kate Vitale, Cara Zeisloft

UpSwing Action Donors ($100-$199)

Anonymous, Teri Angst, Annie Archbold, Cindy Lopez/Azure Salon, Dina Basile, Sarah Bowman, Anne Capelli, Marion and Ruth Carson, Erin Castello, Jim Chappelow, David Chee, Jeffry and Bonnie Cohen, Community Bank of the Bay, Mark Crow, Sara Dochovnay, Sara Garabedian, Anya Goldstein, Kevin Haithcox, Sandra Hughes, Anita Kahn, Sarah Kurtz, Bina Jangda, Lisa Jones, Vanessa Kuemmerle and Lee Steinmetz, Anne Lowry, Robert MacGowan, Leah Mann & Ela Lamblin (Lelavision), Sana Noble, Paul Milne & Shana Penn, Marlene Mujicafill, Matt Proud, Mark Ray, Allen & Karen Ronquillo, Douglas Scott & Marcelo Roman, Elizabeth and Sean Scotten, Declan Spring, Louise Stevenson, Phil Trapkin, Holly Wallace, Andrea Weiner, Sue Carol Witt, Eric Wong, Ron Wong & Mike Tekulski

UpSwing Flyers ($200-$499)

Claire Bach, Lauren Carley, Hannah Dworkin, Barbara Hendrickson, Anita Kahn, Bryan Kato, Leah Mann & Ela Lamblin of Lelavision, Johanna Lang, Aileen Moffitt, Rosanna Poret, Linda Riccardi, Sandi Walker Scharf, Diana Steinhagen, Molly Tallman & Anne Casey O’Neill, Mieko Valentine, Sydney Walker

UpSwing GuardianS ($500-$999)

Mrs. Raymond Beeley, Michael Costello, Dr. Suzie Vlcek Lee, Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon, Elena Ronquillo, “Women Walking Tall” in honor of Terry Sendgraff,

UpSwing Angel ($1000+)

Anonymous, Barbara Barnett, East Bay Community Foundation, Andrea Gordon, Sarah Kurtz, Sandy Marcello and Salvador & Sophie Marcello, Regina Myers, Deena Smith, Mary Ware, Sandra Tillin

In-Kind Donations

#GoPro, Kim Adams, Roya Arasteh, Hadas Aranow, Jim Beatty, Dan Cantrell, Andrej Diamantstein, Sara Draper, Hannah Dworkin, Helen Fitanides, Ashley Foster, Suzanne Gallo, Beth Gelfand, Mindy Ha, Kiran Haithcox, Okorie Johnson, Judith Justiz, Bina Jangda, Bhavneet Kaveeshar, Vanessa Kuemmerle and Vee Horticulture, Carla Koopal, Bryan Kato, Elaine Lee, Dorian Maffei, Robert MacGowan, Brent McCullough, Rondi Phillips, Deena Smith, Alissa Soto, Catherine Trowbridge, Yolanda Vasquez, Claudia Venn and Venn Acupuncture, Suzie Vlcek-Lee, Sydney Walker, Judy Wenning, Isabella Wilk, David Worm

Special Thanks to our FRIENDS OF UPSWING CIRCLE

Beth Gelfand, Hannah Dworkin, Alissa Kaplan Soto and Elena Ronquillo

UpSwing is a contemporary aerial dance company that features the repertory of Artistic Director Cherie Carson. The Company has been presented locally and nationally, performing & teaching to audiences and students in Atlanta, GA; New York, NY;  Seattle, WA;  Santa Barbara, Sacramento and San Francisco, CA;  and San Antonio, Austin and Houston, TX.

“Cherie's productions are consistently creative and beautifully done. I am happy to witness UpSwing's contributions to the field of aerial dance, and appreciate the spiritual feeling of Cherie’s work.” Terry Sendgraff

“Cherie Carson's choreography and dancers are amazingly versatile in creating and performing expressive works on aerial apparatus.” Julie Ludwick, Director, NYC Aerial Dance Festival 2024

Cherie Carson

Artistic Director / producer / choreographer /collaborator / Interdisciplinary Artist

Cherie Carson performed her first aerial dance piece in 1990.  In 1992, Cherie incorporated video into her choreography for an underwater dance and that video collaboration was a finalist for the Robert Bennett Award in LA.  In 1998, Cherie performed to sold-out houses at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Upon arriving in the Bay Area in 2000, Cherie met, studied and taught workshops with Terry Sendgraff and in 2005 she took over Terry's aerial dance business upon her retirement.  Cherie has performed and studied with 30+ national & international dance makers including Molissa Fenley, Merce Cunningham, Bebe Miller, Tanztheater Rubato, Bridgeman-Packer Dance, Douglas Nielson and Dwight Shelton.  She has choreographed dances that have been performed in a planetarium, underwater, on stilts, on rollerblades, in sculpture gardens, in reflection pools, in a dress of 11 yards, on a bungee cord hanging from a Banyan tree, on Redwood trees, on trapeze, tissu, slings, rope & harness and invented equipment.  Cherie has created more than 50 aerial pieces for herself, UpSwing Company, other companies and individual artists.  

"My work explores imagination and intuition. While I am not always sure where the sparks of insight come from that drive me to continue to create, to feel passionately about something that doesn't exist yet, to try things to see if they work, to ask questions, this is how I view life and how I view my art form. I like dancing and creating dance at eye level yet defying gravity. It makes me feel more real and yet super human to defy and float above the earth. Eye level is more human scale.”

KIRAN HAITHCOX

COMPANY DANCER/TEACHER

Kiran Haithcox is a Pilates instructor who has always loved to dance. Growing up, she studied ballet in Chicago and took modern dance classes at Connecticut Wesleyan University, where she earned a degree in Earth and Environmental Science. Moving to the Bay Area, she discovered trapeze and circus arts, and fell under the spell of aerial dance. She was lucky enough to have had Terry Sendgraff, the "mother of aerial dance" as a teacher and mentor, who also taught her how to walk and dance on stilts. 15 years ago, she joined the UpSwing Company, directed by Cherie Carson and danced with them for a decade. She is overjoyed to be rejoining the Company again in 2021

KC Hyland

Company Dancer/ Adjunct Teacher

KC Hyland is an actor, scientist, and aerialist specializing in dance trapeze and aerial hoop, performing passionately about the San Francisco Bay Area. KC brings humor, personality, and an unmistakable charisma to any stage. While she has trained with many coaches off and on over the years, she particularly credits Shannon Grey and Elena Panova as the biggest influences on her aerial technique and movement style.

Dorian Maffei

Company Dancer

Dorian Maffei developed a penchant for going upside down by age three and went on to be a top competitive gymnast into her late teens, competing regionally and nationally. It wasn't until her college years in Santa Cruz that she discovered her love for aerial. With the combination of her gymnastics and dance background, she naturally gravitated toward rope, finding its dynamism and beauty in strength addictive. Her training has taken her to Santa Cruz, New York, and the Bay Area. We welcome Dorian as she brings her enthusiasm and skills to UpSwing.

Elizabeth Scotten

Company Dancer/Adjunct Teacher/

Elizabeth Scotten is a middle school teacher and project-based learning expert who integrates the arts with academics. She is a graduate of U.C. Santa Cruz, majoring in Community Studies, and holds a teaching credential and MA in Education Leadership from Mills College.  Her early training was in gymnastics & ice skating. She began working with Terry Sendgraff in 2000, performing with Cherie Carson, and later with Miranda Company in Santa Cruz. She has been dancing with UpSwing since its inception.  Elizabeth looks forward to one day introducing her young daughter, Elliot, to aerial dance.

“Aerial dance is more meditative and more expressive for me than gymnastics or circus skills,” Scotten says. “The artistry is more of a challenge, and that’s what I love about it.” Elizabeth looks forward to one day introducing her baby daughter, Elliot, to aerial dance.

Chris Spiteri

summer camp director / Company Dancer / guest teacher

Chris Spiteri has been described as a "force of nature like elegant steel". They love teaching and performing aerial arts, creating a safe learning environment where ANY BODY can achieve their aerial goals. They are a nationally touring workshop instructor and accomplished program director in aerial arts, as well as a community leader, choreographer and multifaceted performer. You can find out more about Chris at ChrisSpiteriRigged.com

Helium valentine

Rehearsal director/Company Dancer/ Teacher for Girls Who Fly

Helium Valentine began dancing in primary school with the Atlanta Ballet and continued technique even when she moved to the small town of Fresno in the 20th century. After a cold stint in Ohio to attend Oberlin college, upon graduation she she moved to LA. There she eventually found the aerial arts, completed the Protrack program in Boulder, CO, then came back to California where she joined UpSwing in 2017.

ARTISTS AND COLLABORATORS

RiggerS for UpSwing Company

MATT LEONARD Rigger for the Kunlin Project

ACACIA (JESSICA HOULE) Rigger for UpSwing’s snow globe for the Winter Solstice 2019 and film 2021.

MUSICIANS

DAN CANTRELL / Musician

DAVE WORM / Musician

OKORIE JOHNSON / Musician

FILM/CINEMATOGRAPHY

DAVID CREECH / Co-Director, Filmmaker and Editor

A.K. SANDHU / Filmmaker

LIGHTING DESIGNERS

Radiant Atmospheres / Dave Abel

Former/Company Dancers

KIRSTIN BROWN - Kirstin has a BA in Theatre Arts from Humboldt State University.  She has worked as a professional makeup artist and currently performs as a belly dancer. Kirstin joined the UpSwing company in 2015 as part of her continuing dance studies:  "The next step in my dancing career is to get off the floor, and into the air!."

HELEN FITANIDES - danced on the ground for many years and fell in love with aerial dance in 2009. She received her formative training with La Petite Chouette Aerial Dance Company in Santa Barbara and began performing and teaching with UpSwing in 2015. She currently lives in the Sierra foothills and works in the environmental field when she’s not flying. 

CARA ZEISLOFT - Originally from Portland, Cara Zeisloft began dancing at age four, and began taking classes when she was eleven. Cara first danced in the air at The Evergreen State College in 1992, then studied in Seattle with Robert Davidson. She has also danced on the ground with the Chimene Pollard Dance Group, and performed with We Players in site-specific theater on Alcatraz. Cara has a psychotherapy practice in Berkeley. While Cara makes dances of her own, she relishes the chance to turn over the choreography to the ever-inventive Cherie Carson, and just fly.

VERA BELAIA was born in Moscow, Russia, and grew up studying ballet at Ballet de Volee in Rockville, Maryland. She took a break from dancing while in college, focusing her creative energy instead on directing and acting with the Maryland Shakespeare Players. Her first aerial dance experience was in the spring of 2019 at an adult class here at UpSwing. Vera is thrilled to continue learning and developing as an aerial dancer as a member of the company! Outside of the dance studio, she has a masters degree in environmental engineering and is currently on the path to becoming a high school math teacher.

CARRIE KARLOVIC started on aerial silks in 2014, but a few months later, after training corde lisse under Allie Cooper, she turned into a momentum junkie and sequencing nerd. Since those early days, Carrie has performed solo pieces for cabarets, charity galas, and music festivals. This year she started sharing her passion for aerial as an instructor at SF’s Circus Center where she also trains tumbling and single-point trapeze.

and ASHLEY FOSTER, SARAH STOLAR, JENIFER “GEM” ALVARADO

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HANNAH DWORKIN

ADJUNCT TEACHER/ADVISORY COMMITTEE/FORMER COMPANY MEMBER

Hannah Dworkin is a skilled performing artist and educator with a strong background in modern and aerial dance as well as in opera. The Director of UpSwing Youth Programs, she is a fully credentialed classroom and music teacher. Dworkin holds a B.A. in Dance from the University of California Berkeley and an M.A. in Music and Music Education from Columbia University.  A regular performer in musical theatre, she has “flown” in musicals, from Aladdin to Peter Pan. “What I enjoy about performing with UpSwing is that the work unites what I love about the arts – both the visual and dance aspects,” she says. 

Alissa Kaplan Soto

VISUAL ARTIST/FORMER COMPANY MEMBER/ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Alissa Kaplan Soto studied aerial dance for six years with Terry Sendgraff and performed with her company until Sendgraff’s retirement.  She then began studying with Cherie Carson, and joined UpSwing Company, returning for this year’s season after 3 years in New York, where she performed with Julie Ludwick’s Fly-by-Night Dance Theater.  As an artist, Alissa works in many mediums such as, painting, printmaking, and fiber arts. Her artistic style can be seen in her choreographic work as she melds her fine art to movement. Alissa holds a B.F.A. in Ceramics and an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Hunter College. She is a working artist and teacher. www.alissakaplan.com

ELENA RONQUILLO

ADVISORY COMMITTEE/ FORMER LIGHTING DESIGNER AND THEATER DIRECTOR

2024

April 24

What’s UP!? FREE STUDIO PERFORMANCE 6-7PM @ STUDIO 12 in Berkeley.

Please join us for "Connection", an exciting evening performance, showcasing the progress and creativity of our talented students. From exhilarating silks routines to tranquil rope and harness pieces, our UpSwing Aerial Dance Spring Showcase promises to be a celebration of artistry, strength, and expression. You will also see performances by UpSwing Company and a new work by New York based guest choreographer, Karen Potter, in this FREE performance in celebration of Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week. Although this is a FREE event, there is limited seating, to reserve your spot go to Eventbrite

March 8, 9

New York Aerial Dance Festival, NY, 5 Angels Theater, 789 Tenth Avenue, NYC @ 52nd Street

NYC Aerial Dance Festival features Fly-by-Night Dance Theater and Invited Aerial Guests including UpSwing Aerial Dance Company performing Nordlys and How Much Longer.

2023

Dec 20

Studio Show Students and Company, 6-7 PM is a FREE student show in our home studio at Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley. An enchanting evening filled with mesmerizing performances, showcasing the progress and creativity of our talented students. Performances by Girls Who Fly 2, Teens Who Fly choreography class , Monday Mixed Apparatus Adult class and Saturday Tissu Level 2 Adult class. UpSwing Company will share a work-in-progress. 

Sept 23 and 24, 2023

Dance Mission Theater presents HARVEST: The Fall Choreographers Showcase UpSwing dancers perform “How Much Longer” on rope/corde lisse. This Choreographers Showcase, produced twice a year is a non-juried showcase for both emerging and established choreographers of all dance genres to show work or work-in-progress. For more information, visit: https://dancemissiontheater.org/choreographers-showcase/ or email info@dancemission.com

April 26, 2023

What’s UP!? Celebrating Natl. Dance Week, Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, FREE performance

UpSwing joins Bay Area in Celebrating National Dance Week. Bay Area Dance Week, an inclusive celebration of movement and dance, returns in 2023 after a three-year hiatus. Over its 22 year history the Bay Area Dance community opened its doors and invited the public to experience its rich and vibrant dance scene, completely free of charge. This year, we celebrate in a multigenerational performance showcasing our youth, adults and company aerialists in a one hour free studio showing. Be ready to be entertained. Audience required to wear your masks. More to follow on how to sign up to see the show.

Dec 24, 2022 through Jan 20, 2023

Solstice live performance filmed on Dec 21, 2022 is showing “On Demand” Dec 24-Jan 20th.

More about Solstice 2022! Live aerial performance, music and visual art. “Solstice!” is an East Bay favorite holiday alternative since 2005. Produced every other year, this is the 10th production.  “Solstice!” celebrates the longest night of the year with music and dance by some of the Bay Area’s finest performers. This year enter into a winter’s celebration, complete with dancing stars, award winning aerial dance films and snowbirds that bring snow to Berkeley. Experience David Worm’s soaring, blues-inflected vocals, Amar Singh Khalsa’s magical flute and Sahib-Amar Khalsa’s deeply moving viola. Guest appearance by Voices in a New World. Aerialists performing in this show are UpSwing Company members Vera Belaia, Helen Fitanides, Kiran Satellite Haithcox, Chris Spiteri and Helium Valentine. “Emerging” Digital Art & Photography Exhibit in Grand Hall by Deena Smith

Dec 10, 2022 through March 18, 2023

“2092: Tale of moon trip” by Kunlin He in Manilla, PhilippinesUpSwing Dancer, Kiran Haithcox and Helium Valentine will be on film in an exhibit by Mainland China-born, San Francisco based artist Kunlin He. In Kunlin’s new project, "2092: Tale of moon trip”, based on the special landscapes that Kunlin finds on the Google Moon, the artist fictions a lunar tour guide to describe the fairy tale of the history of moon settlers to the tourists from the earth. The theme of the stories is about belief, visual experience, love, death, gender, environmental issues, and the local of lunar art on the moon.

2022

Dec 21

Solstice 2022! Live aerial performance, music and visual art.

“Solstice!” is an East Bay favorite holiday alternative since 2005. Produced every other year, this is the 10th production.  “Solstice!” celebrates the longest night of the year with music and dance by some of the Bay Area’s finest performers.

This year enter into a winter’s celebration, complete with dancing stars, award winning aerial dance films and snowbirds that bring snow to Berkeley. Experience David Worm’s soaring, blues-inflected vocals, Amar Singh Khalsa’s magical flute and Sahib-Amar Khalsa’s deeply moving viola. Guest appearance by Voices in a New World. Aerialists performing in this show are UpSwing Company members Vera Belaia, Helen Fitanides, Kiran Satellite Haithcox, Chris Spiteri and Helium Valentine.

“Such a wonderful, joyful performance by both the dancers and singers.”  Jim Tobin - www.BayAreaDanceWatch.com

“Emerging” Digital Art & Photography Exhibit in Grand Hall by Deena Smith

Masks will be required throughout the duration of the event. Because we have limited capacity, we can't guarantee we'll have space for walk-ins. The best way to ensure you’ll get a seat is to order your tickets here.

“Solstice! Live Aerial Performance” Fall Arts Preview, Diablo Magazine

“Richmond’s Cherie Carson produces Solstice, a winter’s celebration” Richmond Standard

March “2092: Tale of moon trip” by Kunlin He in Taiwan

June 9 “2092: Tale of moon trip” by Kunlin He NanHai Art Gallery in Milbrae, CA

Dec 10 “2092: Tale of moon trip” by Kunlin He in Manilla, Philippines

UpSwing Dancer, Kiran Haithcox and Helium Valentine are on film in an exhibit “2092: Tale of moon trip” by Mainland China-born, San Francisco based artist Kunlin He. In Kunlin’s new project, "2092: Tale of moon trip”, based on the special landscapes that Kunlin finds on the Google Moon, the artist fictions a lunar tour guide to describe the fairy tale of the history of moon settlers to the tourists from the earth. The theme of the stories is about belief, visual experience, love, death, gender, environmental issues, and the local of lunar art on the moon. The artist rethinks the problems faced by Chinese immigrants in historical time through the high-density reality brought about by the theme of imaginary science fiction. At the same time, he uses the skill of sci-fi as well as the language of formalism painting to metaphorize the contribution of the group to the Chinese diaspora modern artists who are far from the context of social realism after 1949.

May 25

Virtual performance is live on Facebook at 7 PM.

This performance is also a fundraiser for us as we retool and shift into a new direction. We are raising fund to produce our 1st live performance since Covid pandemic. Help us get back up in the air. Catch our FB live event. We are donating our time and talents to be cast, crew, MC and donating prizes made by loving hands. This will be a fun event. Grab some popcorn and a drink. Settled back in your favorite chair and catch our show.

Follow us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/UpSwingAerialDanceCompany or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/upswingdance

2020-21

Nov 13: Emergence Dance Festival

8-10 PM EST / 7 PM CT / 5 PM Pacific Time

A virtual showcase and celebration of art and dance from local artists, and from artists across the globe. UpSwing will be performing “How Much Longer”. Kirstin Brown and Helen Fitanides star in this duet on aerial silks about seduction and betrayal.

The show will include various genres of dance including modern, tap, contemporary, aerial and more. Here is the list of choreographers for this virtual showcase: Cindy Heen - Emergence Dance Company, Casey Lee Thorne - Inside Out Contemporary Ballet, Andi Salazar- A Pulso Dance Project, Isabella Lepp, Ari Caldas/ Aretuza Garner, Lindsiann Taylor, Cherie Carson- UpSwing Aerial Dance Company, Melissa Gotay - Unveiled Dance Company, Andrew Coronado.

SEPT 25: EMERGENCE DANCE FESTIVAL

8-10 PM EST / 7 PM CT / 5 PM Pacific Time

A virtual showcase and celebration of art and dance from local artists, and from artists across the globe. The show will include various genres of dance including modern, tap, contemporary, aerial and more. UpSwing Company performed “Origin of Happiness” duet.

July 8, 2020

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, UpSwing has shifted focus to virtual performances and classes. Our first Virtual performance is live on Facebook July 8th at 6 PM. click on the link to reserve your virtual seat. To make your tax deductible donation, go here. https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/OTI1OA==

Cancelled due to C-19:

October 3 -4: Performances and workshops at Aerial Horizons, San Antonio Tx

CANCELLED due to C-19:

April 29: What's Up!? Performance

 Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 7PM

UpSwing Aerial Dance Company & students take flight on April 29 in a one hour FREE studio showing that explores the magic of dancing on the floor and into the air.  We will be dancing on the wall, in the air and everywhere in between.   Celebrate National Dance Week with the boundary-pushing art of contemporary aerial dance. Even though this is a FREE event, you MUST get a ticket to enter. We have limited seating.

CANCELLED due to C-19:

April 17: UPSWING CREATES NEW WORK IN ONE DAY

Open to public to watch, performance at end of day. Audience interaction. Reception

2019

Dec 21-22: Solstice!

SOLD OUT! Dec 21 at 7:30PM and Dec 22 at 4:30PM

Location: Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley

UpSwing Aerial Dance Company announces its celebratory Winter Solstice event “Solstice!” Performance on Dec. 21 at 8 PM and Dec. 22, at 5 PM at Studio 12 in Berkeley CA. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Join UpSwing Aerial Dance Company this holiday season as we celebrate our 9th anniversary and welcome the return of the sun and the birth of a New Year. “Solstice!” is an East Bay favorite holiday alternative since 2005. Produced every other year, this is the 9th production. “Solstice!” celebrates the longest night of the year with music and dance by some of the Bay Area’s finest performers. This year enter into a winter’s celebration, complete with dancing stars, a moon goddess and live snow globe. Experience David Worm’s soaring, blues-inflected vocals, Amar Singh Khalsa’s magical flute and Sahib Amar Kaur Khalsa’s deeply moving viola. This year’s Solstice! includes "Terrestrial Extremities", a winter photo exhibit by Beth Zuckerman. Aerialists performing in this show are UpSwing Company members Kirstin Brown, Hannah Dworkin, Helen Fitanides, Alissa Kaplan Soto, Elizabeth Scotten, Helium Valentine and Cara Zeisloft. “Such a wonderful, joyful performance by both the dancers and singers.” Jim Tobin - www.BayAreaDanceWatch.com Listed in Diablo Magazine as one of five events not to miss! Listed in East Bay express as this weekend’s Top 5 events SF Chronicle Datebook pick Come early to pick up your tickets. Box office opens at 7:30PM on Saturday and 4:30PM on Sunday. There will be a short pre-show talk with Artistic Director, Cherie Carson in the Grand Hall before both performances. General seating. Bring your receipt to pick up your tickets at the box office. $30 adults/$20 seniors 65+/$15 kids 17 years & under

June 15: Bay Area Dancers Showcase, East Bay Performing Arts Center UpSwing ADC guest company, 8PM

MAY 1: What's Up!? Performance, Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 7PM

UpSwing Aerial Dance Company & students take flight on May 1 in a one hour FREE studio showing that explores the magic of dancing on the floor and into the air.  We will be dancing on the wall, in the air and everywhere in between.   Celebrate National Dance Week with the boundary-pushing art of contemporary aerial dance.  Register at https://bayareadance.org/

2018

Dec 19: Teens Who Fly Aerial Showcase, Studio 12

DIVE, FLY, SPIN into this holiday season. Wind your way through the whimsical, mystical and fun aerial showcase created just for you by the Teens Who Fly. UpSwing's teens will be performing their own work, plus the work of Kate Hutchinson and Cherie Carson. They will float into your hearts in this pre-holiday show.

UpSwing is a place for fostering a creative lifestyle; a place where students can learn, gain physical and emotional strength and be inventive as they explore their physical limits. This showcase brings together our Teens vision and passion in their own choreography.

Nov 3: Fundraiser for Hopalong Animal Rescue, OLD MILL PARK AMPHITHEATRE, MILL VALLEY

Join UpSwing and Aerial Dance Marin performers, San Francisco Conservatory musicians and plenty of adoptable pets Saturday, November 3rd for a magical afternoon of awe-inspiring aerial dance, adorable dogs and uplifting music in the redwoods. All donations support local nonprofit Hopalong Animal Rescue in their work to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals into loving homes.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $25 and up for adults, $10 for youth, and free for 5 and under. No paper tickets will be issued. We will have a list of names at the event. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket for sitting in the park.

SAN FRANCISCO AERIAL ARTS FESTIVAL, AUGUST 10-12, 2018

12 (noon) to 10 pm ....many shows to choose from

The Bay Area’s only festival with a focus on aerial artistry, bringing regional, national and international established and emerging artists for three days of action-packed performances, panels and workshops. An explosion of creativity has reinvented aerial performance. A new generation of artists bursting with innovative imagination and extraordinary skills have given birth to one of the most incredible and visceral art forms of the 21st century. 

Artists from a broad spectrum of backgrounds are re-imagining, re-shaping and re-inventing what has traditionally been the province of circus alone. A breathtaking array of new performers with influences that range from Balanchine to Burning Man are stunning audiences around the world. We aim to bring that explosive energy together in a sensational festival unlike any other. 

Line up includes: Acrobatic Conundrum; Alex Allan; Azraa Muhammad & Meléa Emunah;  BANDALOOP, Beth Clarke, Caroline Wright & Xochitl Sosa; Felicity Hesed;  Helen Wicks and Katelyn Hane; Jessica Curl Rose & Andrea Keene; Kameko Shibata; Sierra Camille; Sonya Smith & Bianca Cabrera; UpSwing Aerial Dance Company and Veronica Blair

MAY 2: What's Up!? Performance, Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA

UpSwing Aerial Dance Company & students take flight on May 2 in a one hour FREE studio showing that explores the magic of dancing on the floor and into the air.  We will be dancing on the wall, in the air and everywhere in between.   Celebrate National Dance Week with the boundary-pushing art of contemporary aerial dance. 

Feb 14: RED, Love is in the Air,  STUDIO 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley

Celebrating Valentines Day with this one of a kind aerial performance pairing the award winning Rainy Day Chocolates with UpSwing's most loved aerial dances. Bay Area premier of "Origin of Happiness" - two dancers explore their relationship with, for and through each other as the discover just how much they are literally attached to each other.  This intimate performance includes the pairing of handcrafted, award winning chocolate truffles and treats especially paired to each dance. Your tix includes a box of chocolates to enjoy during the show. UpSwing Company dancers performing in this evening event are Alissa Soto, Helium Valentine, Helen Fitanides, and Kirstin Brown. 

2017

Dec 21:  SOLSTICE!, Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley

“Solstice!” is an East Bay favorite holiday alternative since 2005. Produced every other year, this is the 7th production.  “Solstice!” celebrates the longest night of the year with music and dance by some of the Bay Area’s finest performers.  This year enter into a winter’s night, complete with dancing stars, a moon goddess and snowbirds. Aerialists performing in this show are UpSwing Company members Kirstin Brown, Helen Fitanides, Alissa Kaplan Soto, Helium Valentine and the Teens Who Fly.  Experience the tour de force music of Mark Vickness’ intricate, layered guitars and David Worm’s soaring, blues-inflected vocals (Glass House), Amar Singh Khalsa’s magical flute, Sahib Amar Kaur Khalsa’s deeply moving viola and Dan Cantrell’s virtuosic abilities on the accordion and musical saw.  Critic's Choice in Dec 2017 issue of The East Bay Monthly

SEPT 28: FUNDRAISER & SITE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE AT CLASSIC CARS WEST, 411 26th Street, Oakland, CA 94612

Join UpSwing from 5–7 PM for the cocktail hour.  Enjoy delicious comfort food by Hella Vegan Eats and an outside beer garden featuring craft beer on tap, photo booth, an art exhibition and amazing classic cars along add on the music of Dave Worm and the aerial dance of UpSwing and you have a cocktail hour like no other. This is sure to be a night to expand the senses. UpSwing will host a fundraising raffle of gift certificates from Bay Area vegan restaurants during this 5-7 PM cocktail hour. Dave Worm and Mark Vickness of Glass House will perform music at 5:30 PM.  UpSwing’s aerial performance begins at 6 PM.

JUNE 14: IMPROV NIGHT at Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA  7-9PM   FREE Bring a dish to share at the Pot Luck dinner afterwards
7th Annual show of UpSwing Aerial Dancers working alongside with OneVoice Circle Singers and Bay Area musicians to create a show in the moment in front of the audience.

APRIL 26: OPEN REHEARSAL & RECEPTION AT Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA    8:30-9:30PM  FREE UpSwing Company shares insights and performances of newest work in this intimate studio showing. 

APRIL 20: 25 POINTS OF VIEW: A PEEK INTO DANCE-MAKING at 605 Addison St, Berkeley, CA An exciting day of dance and creative process featuring 25 local choreographers in celebration of Luna Dance Institute's 25th anniversary,  offering a peek into dance-making and the fundamental value of creativity.  more details to follow..

MARCH 18:  "POP UP" PERFORMANCE UpSwing's Teens Who Fly perform at Luna Dance Institute's Silver Jubilee Dance Party, March 18th, 8-11pm at the David Brower Center, Berkeley.  Seniors Moriah Godes and UpSwing Company dancer, Helen Fitanides, dance in 2 original aerial pieces during the "pop up" performances between 8-10 PM. For tickets go here  

2016

DEC 9:  2ND FRIDAY NIGHT ART PARTY AT THE SAWTOOTH..UPSWING SITE SPECIFIC IN THE GRAND HALL  It's winter, enter an atmospheric world. 7-8 PM performance by UpSwing Company in the Grand Hall at the historic Sawtooth Building, 2525 Eighth Street. Art ~ Music ~ Aerial Dance ~ Live Music ~ Mingle ~ Explore the Sawtooth Building on the 2nd Friday evening of the month as artist open their doors and share their work.   FREE event

NOV 4: COCKTAILS, AERIAL DANCE & KILLER VIEWS  Assemble restaurant & UpSwing Aerial Dance Company team up for a magical night, Friday Nov. 4th, 2016 from 4:30-7 PM.  Located at 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond, CA 94804, is a unique setting with beautiful and inclusive views of the entire Bay Area. Upswing will perform newest work in progress and offering an opportunity for you to hear what inspired the dance.  Friday Nov 4th, experience the sweeping vistas that extend from the East Bay Hills to the city of San Francisco as we assemble for this one of a kind special benefit for Upswing. The Richmond shipyards take us to the land’s end. Cocktails, small bites, sunset views over the water give a perfect setting for UpSwing’s "Teardrops". 

AUGUST 19-21: SAN FRANCISCO AERIAL ARTS FESTIVAL  UpSwing Company performs in the San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival, Bay Area’s premiere aerial arts event, featuring internationally recognized aerial artists and exciting new artists breaking into the field. Performance is at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture’s Gallery 308 on August 19 and 20, 2016.  Produced by Zaccho Dance Theatre, this biennial festival brings together spectacle, daring athleticism and poetry to create a dynamic three day performance event.

AUGUST 17: IMPROV NIGHT   7-8 PM - POT LUCK AFTER6th Annual show of UpSwing Aerial Dancers working alongside with OneVoice Circle Singers and Bay Area musicians to create a show in the moment in front of the audience.  UpSwing Company & students improvise together with One Voice Circle Singers and musicians Dan Cantrell & Gary Muzinski. FREE EVENT, BRING A DISH TO SHARE

APRIL 24: FREE PERFORMANCE AS PART OF "DANCE-A-RAMA" 4-5 PM @ STUDIO 12  UpSwing Company and students perform in "Dance-A-Rama" as part of a FREE performance in celebration of Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week.  Choreography by Jennifer "Jem" Alvarado, Kirstin Brown, Ashley Foster and Artistic Director Cherie Carson.

2015

Dec 19-21:  SOLSTICE! at STUDIO 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA  “Solstice!” is an East Bay favorite holiday alternative since 2005. Produced every other year, this is the 6th production.  “Solstice!” celebrates the longest night of the year with music and dance by some of the Bay Area’s finest performers, and includes a Solstice-inspired visual arts installation by Alissa Kaplan-Soto.  Enter into a winter wonderland with tree spirits, a moon goddess and snowbirds. Experience the music of Dave Worm and Mark Vickness (Glass House) and Amar Singh Khalsa & Sahib Amar Kaur Khalsa. And see the holiday inspired Teens Who Fly dance their L-O-V-E of the holiday!

NOV 14:  VALLEY FIRE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE  at San Rafael Gymnastics, 139 Carlos Dr, San Rafael, CA raising $$ for victims of the Valley Fire in Lake and Napa counties) 

August 12: IMPROV NIGHT UpSwing Company & students improvise aerial dance to the improvised music of One Voice Circle Singers and musicians Amar and Sahib Amar Khalsa.

May 3: DANCE A RAMA UpSwing performs with UpSwing students as part of a FREE performance in celebration of Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week.

2014

DECEMBER 6: WINTER MOON Rockabelly and The Playthings present a winter show, with guest artists Ego Embra, Upswing Aerial Dance Company, and special guest artists. This event combines belly dance, aerial, and pole!

August 13: IMPROV NIGHT UpSwing Company & students improvise aerial dance to the improvised music of One Voice Circle Singers and musicians Amar and Sahib Amar Khalsa.

July 18-26:  Festival of Aerial Arts at Vault Houston - Upswing invited as guest performers and led "Dynamic Duo" workshop 

July 9:  Send-off Cocktail Party for UpSwing Company, wine & cheese, showing of dance and wine raffle. Fundriaser for UpSwing Company performance at Houston Festival of Arts July 18, 19th and workshop on the 20th.

April 27: DANCE A RAMA UpSwing performs "Inside the Circle", 8th Street Studios, Berkeley 2-3 PM as part of a FREE performance in celebration of Bay Area Celebrates National Dance Week.

April 26: WHAT'S UP!  Performing in the show…Kirstin Brown, Helen Dickson, Katherine Sardinha, Beth Zuckerman, Teens Who Fly, UpSwing Company.  FREE performance in celebration of Natl. Dance Week.

Feb 19:  ROOF Gala Community Awards - UpSwing Company guest performance at Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF) Awards Gala for 2013-14 Grantees. Studio 12, Berkeley, CA

2013

Dec 21:   Winter Solstice Celebration is a holiday favorite and the perfect way to celebrate the longest night of the year. The show includes music and dance by some of the Bay Areas finest performers and includes an original visual arts installation specific to the Solstice. 2 shows...one night! Studio 12, Berkeley, CA

August 17:  UpSwing invited as guest performers at Open Air Festival, Vashon, WA     

August 10:   TICKET TO FLY! Company and friends perform in a night of innovative aerial performance and dance! For your viewing pleasure we present trapeze, bungee and rope, aerial silks, belly dance, hoop dance, and much more! Studio 12, Berkeley

April 27:   What's Up! Free, Exciting Aerial Performance "What's UP!" is a stellar performance & where you can see the best of what aerial is all about - beautiful, powerful, graceful and lively. Studio 12, Berkeley, CA

February 6: ROOF Awards Ceremony UpSwing Company performs for Red Oak Opportunity Foundation Awards Ceremony. Studio 12, 2525 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA

2012

Dec 12: UpSwing premiers newest work in 12.12.12, Studio 12, Berkeley, CA

July 28, 29: UpSwing invited as guest performers at Open Air Festival, Vashon, WA
                   On July 29 from 10:30-12 (noon) Rope and Harness workshop

April 29: Dance-A-Rama at Studio 12, Berkeley, CA...Show celebrates National Dance Week Sneak preview of new aerial dance work "Chandeliers"

May 5 & 6: UpSwing guest performers at Diamonds in the Rough, an interactive exhibit of art, innovation and industry, American Steel Gallery, Oakland, CA - performing "Chandeliers"

2011

Dec 21: Winter Solstice Celebration at Studio 12, Berkeley, CA

Dec 2 & 3: NY Aerial Festival, Manhattan Movement Arts Center, NY - performing "Inside the Circle"

Nov 29: NY Aerial Festival, Laguardia Performing Arts Center, NY - performing "Inside the Circle"

August 20 & 21: Fundraiser for The Tea Dancers - performing "El Once de Vestido Baras" or "The Dress of 11 Yards", Eighth Street Studio, Berkeley, CA

June 26: YELP's Sunset Showdown-summer event at Craneway Pavilion, Richmond, CA

Jan 15 & 16: Seven UP - Inaugural Performance featuring works by choreographer/director, Cherie Carson

About the Company

UpSwing Aerial Dance & Company is a nonprofit arts company administered as a 501 © (3) nonprofit under the Dancers' Group's Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

Dancers' Group
44 Gough Street #201
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: 415-920-9181
EIN: 94-2879185

YELP REVIEWS:

Anne H, Berkeley, CA   “UpSwing Aerial Dance Company-Loved the act at the end of the night.”

Michelangelo S. Sacramento, CA   “But my most favorite performance at the entire event was the aerial artist group "Upswing". These ladies were extremely elegant and lovely in the way they flowed through the air and on the ground as they hovered on elegant fabric "swings". Gorgeous costuming, elegant & breathtaking choreography, it was a visual poetry for we visual participants...”

Bill B., El Cerrito, CA   “The ‘Snowbirds’ aerial dance was an impressive conclusion to the event…”

BLOGS:

Sanctuary Bistro, Berkeley, CA

ARTICLES:

International Gold Award Interviews Cherie Carson

“AloneTogether” film review by Paris Film Awards

“Richmond’s Cherie Carson produces Solstice, a winter’s celebration” Richmond Standard Nov 29, 2022

“Solstice! Live Aerial Performance” Fall Arts Preview, Diablo Magazine, 2022

“UpSwing Aerial Dance Company film “Pressure” receives Award” Richmond Standard July 6, 2022

“Richmond dancer, director on ‘upswing’ with film award win” Richmond Standard September 19, 2022

“Why More Dancers are Getting into Aerial Dance” Dance Magazine 2019

Critic's Choice Dec 2017 in The East Bay Monthly

SF Arts: 2016 SF Aerial Arts Festival by Jean Schiffman

Listed in The Culture Trip: 2015 Top 5 Extreme Classes to Take in the Bay This Summer

SF GATE: UpSwing Aerial Dancers Swing in the Solstice 

Dance Magazine: Why More and More Dancers Are Getting Into Aerial

About the Classes

Parents comments....

"Girls Who Fly and Teens Who Fly has been an important piece of the pie in my girls' childhood and young womanhood.  You have added to both of my girl's sense of poise and confidence and have been a safe port during the stormy seas of adolescence.  Keep up the good work - you and your program are making a difference in young people's lives, and creating beautiful art to boot!"   Sara Stutz

"Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. My daughter truly enjoyed taking your aerial dance classes during the winter session and is very excited about the upcoming camps. I too am very impressed and pleased with the environment you've created for the girls to learn and development within. I sincerely thank you for the gift that you've given my daughter. I have seen very positive, beautiful qualities forming in her since she has joined your classes. Many thanks," Fatema Crane

Student Comments...

"Studio 12 is exceptionally supportive of all levels of physical ability and skill. After cancer treatment five years ago, I thought I would never get on a trapeze again, but a wonderful friend gave me a gift certificate to Studio 12, which might be one of the most important gifts I have ever received. All of the teachers have been so accepting of the serious limitations I have in my leg and have helped me do things with my body that I never dreamed possible. I know that the community at Studio 12 and being able to continue my passion has helped my healing tremendously. I still have trouble walking, but at least I can fly!! Thank you so much, Cherie, Ashley, Hannah and everyone at the studio." Mary Love
 

"Our favorite way to play...These classes on trapezes and other low flying aerial equipment are up there at the top of my list of big fun to be had in this world! My daughters take Girls Who Fly and Kids Who Fly, and these classes truly rock and are their favorite part of the week. I love the aerial adult class and have been doing this form of movement, with great pleasure, for many years. The teachers at Studio 12 are fun, supportive, creative and kind. I can not recommend these classes more highly as a worthwhile and whimsical exploration of self which instills confidence, grace, balance, improv. and communication skills. Enjoy!" Beth Gelfand

"Cherie is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She is very observant and always brings humor and kindness into her classes in both yoga and aerial dance. She helps everyone learn at their own level and is very supportive yet pushes people just enough that they grow and learn without becoming discouraged. She also brings a wealth of experience to her classes; this is something I appreciate greatly. I feel her classes have allowed me to learn things I would never have been able to with any other teacher. I highly recommend her!"  

"I'm coming up on my first Monday without a trapeze class this summer and wanted to take this opportunity to tell you what a fabulous time I had and how pleased I was with both teachers! I'm out of shape and overweight but never felt intimidated or left behind. I always felt welcome and supported and acquired skills that I didn't think possible after the first class (which was a shock to the system but totally exciting!). I received a good amount of individual attention from both teachers and seeing as installing a trapeze in my own apartment looks impractical, I definitely plan on attending more classes. I'm thrilled to have discovered UpSwing and look forward to more trapeze time in the future!"  Sarah Kurtz

"'Look at me! I’m flying!' Well, not precisely, but it feels that way. It’s the most dynamic and exciting dance partner I’ve ever had. Since I started taking aerial classes at Studio 12 Flys almost three years ago, my life has truly changed. I could go on about the amazing benefits to my back and the great development of my muscles, but the emotional and lifestyle benefits have been even greater. In our playful classes and particularly in our improv performances, I have found joy. All dance is about movement. But aerial dance literally adds an entire new dimension to your movement, bringing it from the floor up into the air. This opens up a world of extraordinary new possibilities, as well as a world of extraordinary new challenges. Finding the strength, both physical and emotional, to meet those challenges is an amazing developmental experience. The feeling of “I can do it!” encourages you to even greater feats. There is nothing like working with absolutely excellent dancers to help you become a better dancer. I’ve also been inspired by my instructors to greater accomplishments in other areas of life, such as cycling. I have never met a community of dancers who made me feel more welcome and appreciated. This is a very friendly group! Aerial dance has made an enormous difference to me, and I am proud to be part of the UpSwing Aerial Dance community. No workout will put a spring in your step like this one!" Beth Zuckerman

HUGE thanks to these folks who document dance. 

Once the performance is done the images live in our minds and through these people and through their lens we relive those moments. Thank you for your photos and video work.

Julie Bernstein

Jeff Dunnicliff

Seth Golub

Fred Hatt

Bryan Kato

Liquidpulp Photography

Elena Ronquillo

Suzanne Steel

Kaleb Wyman

Amy El

A.K. Sandhu

Andy Mogg

Katrin Auch

Deena Smith

Clare Schweitzer

Bora Max Koknar

Cristobal Vivar