Fairbanks Performing Arts School puts on aerial acrobatic event

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -The Golden Heart Performing Arts studio recently presented their Winter Solstice soirée which featured a combination of dance and acrobatics from students both on the ground and in the air. This event was postponed this year due to COVID-19, and featured multiple safety features such as mandatory face masks for all audience members and performers, and a 40 person audience limit.

Teal Rogers, Artistic Director at Golden Heart described what it was like to put together such a performance, “We’ve been hosting a solstice soirée for the past 4 years, and in the prior years it was basically put on a pop [top] 40 song and have one athlete go up, do a performance, have the next one go up, do a performance, so for us this is a big step, as we have put together a full creative content, and a platform in which art can be displayed, both on the floor and in the air. So telling a story is our biggest change from our past performances.”

Each performer used a different array of experiences in dance, acrobatics, and aerial silks in the show.

Anastasia Butler is an instructor at Golden Heart, who took up aerial acrobatics as a hobby.

“It’s honestly just been such a treat and an honor, and it feels like all of the work that I’ve put in for the last 8 years is finally coming to something that’s actually like a show, and it’s so amazing to be a part of that,” said Butler

Emily Armstrong has been with Golden Heart for 6 years, and has been coaching there for the past 2.

“I started coming here because it was just like amazing to see all these like amazing athletes in the air, and I just took off from it. I started coaching, I teach little kids, I teach all ages,” said Armstrong.

Sage Oxnard is a teacher in training, and wants to pass on her skills in the air to other aspiring acrobats.

“I’ve been here for about two years and I love it so much. I have learned so many things on flexibility, how to control my body, and how to contort my body in the ways I want it to,” said Oxnard.

Hunter Pollen, is a student with golden heart who has been rehearsing for the Winter Solstice soirée for four months.

“It’s amazing being a performer here, I’ve been doing silks here for about 3 years. So I’ve been on a journey with coach Teal throughout the whole entire thing,” said Pollen.

“There’s so much blood sweat and tears that goes on behind the scenes, but that’s also my favorite art is putting it all together and being the director of the movement, and making sure everything happens in the perfect order so that when everyone comes to the show they get to be impressed,” said Teal Rogers.

The Golden Heart Performing Arts Company will be presenting free performances on the first Friday of every month, starting on March 5 at 6:00 p.m.

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