Emily Garber

Emily Garber is an aerial artist and instructor. She has an extensive background in theater and dance and started her aerial arts journey in 2016 at Radical Movement Factory in Santa Cruz.
She has trained under esteemed coaches, Allie Cooper, Emily Knoblauch, Terry Crane, Alex Allan, PJ Perry, and Enya White. Emily specializes in vertical apparatuses - primarily aerial fabric, rope, and dance trapeze and in aerial partnering/doubles work. She has been teaching aerial arts since 2020.

In addition to teaching, she is passionate about performing and has had the pleasurer of performing with Circosphere, Circus of the Moon, BiG SuRCuS, Carmel Delights Dance Company, the Speakeasy San Francisco, and for the annual Greenpeace Gala in Oakland. Emily is thrilled to share her love of aerial arts with students at Sanctuary! Her hope is to foster a supportive and welcoming community to anyone interested in learning this beautiful art/sport and to create a safe and fun place for creative exploration in movement.

CALLIE MCKENZIE

Callie McKenzie’s training is primarily in classic forms of dance performing for dance companies such as Turner Ballet Company, Mendocino Dance Project, Polaris Dance Company, as well as directing her own dance companies, Fort Bragg Repertory Dance Company and The Carmel Delights. Callie’s passion for dance and acrobatic movement were a natural predecessor of circus arts.

Callie was introduced to aerial arts in Mendocino, CA in 2011 where she began training with Circus Mecca. She has performed acrobatic routines with Flynn Creek Circus and Mendocino Dance Project. Callie continued her training with Aerial Arts of Santa Cruz under the direction of Erin Jane Carey leading to partnership and the creation of Cirque Florale. Cirque Florale has been featured at many events throughout California as well as events in Chicago, IL and Seven Springs Resort, PA. Callie began teaching Lyra with Monterey Aerial Arts in 2018 and is incredibly excited to be a part of the development of an aerial program at Sanctuary Climbing and Fitness. Most recent aerial accomplishments include performing aerial for the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival, affiliation with Circopshere a San Francisco based Circus organization, performances at The Speakeasy San Francisco, and at the Ferrari Event in Carmel, CA. 

Mikaela Rose Bianchi

Mikaela Rose Bianchi is a professional aerialist in Northern California. Born and raised in Northern California, Mikaela started aerial training at Circus Center San Francisco in 2009 with circus acclaimed Russian trapeze artist Elena Panova. In her fourteen years of training, studying, teaching and performing aerial arts she has had the pleasure to work with Circosphere, Entire Productions, Cirque Dahlias, BLV Productions, Zenith Artistry and more in private settings, corporate parties and specially procured theater productions. She and her former aerial partner, Krista Smithers, have performed their lyra duet as far as New York City and were requested to perform at the Moisture Festival 2020 in Seattle, Washington, a great honor and accomplishment for them both. Mikaela has a knack for directing, managing and developing aerial arts programs for youth and adults including recreational classes and summer camps with Inversion Gym in South Lake Tahoe, and Kinetic Arts Center in Oakland.  Currently Mikaela works remotely from her home in the Sierra Mountains with Sanctuary Climbing & Fitness as the Aerial Arts program director.

Aviva Urbanc

Aviva was introduced to the aerial arts at a young age and quickly became enamored with all things cirque. Alongside eight years of competitive gymnastics, she trained and performed in an aerial youth troupe at Samadhi, Hawaii. She continued her training on the mainland at Radical Movement Factory under Emily Garber’s instruction. 

Aviva is versed in a variety of apparatuses including silk, lyra, and trapeze. As well as acrobatics and hand balancing on the floor. As an instructor at Sanctuary Climbing & Fitness, Aviva is excited to pass on her knowledge and enthusiasm for the art while providing a supportive and safe environment for the budding aerialist.