FOUNDER & HEAD COACH

Niff (she/her) has been coaching aerial for almost two decades. She specializes in anatomy, technique, and innovative aerial choreography and pathways. Niff is known for her “aerial brain” in creating and envisioning unique aerial sequences on many aerial apparatuses. Niff has a keen eye for what students need to develop to meet their goals with a vast knowledge from years of study and practice. Niff has a teaching degree from Ecole National de Cirque in Montreal and is a sought-after coach and choreographer.

FLEX, AERIAL COACH, KIDS PROGRAM HEAD COACH

Jackie (she/her) has been coaching aerial for 15 years and specializes in both kids and adults. Jackie has a background as a professional dancer and performer. She has a daily practice of yoga and has an extensive knowledge of most aerial apparatus from beginner to advanced levels. Jackie’s teaching is interesting and thoughtful, with progressions and safety at the forefront of her practice.

HANDSTAND & AERIAL COACH

Molly (she/her) has been training aerials for over eight years. Before starting circus, she was an amateur Muay Thai fighter and coach, also coaching strength and conditioning. She specializes in aerials (primarily rope and trapeze) and handstands, but also dabbles in partner acro and Cyr wheel.

AERIAL COACH

Stacey (she/her) has been studying aerial for a decade and started teaching at Secret in 2019. Stacey loves making classes fun and approachable for all levels.

AERIAL COACH

Chi-wen (she/her) has been studying aerial for over a decade and specializes in lyra, spinning, and beginner aerials. Chi-wen has studied anatomy and myofascial release technique, and her teaching revolves around safe progressions and beautiful flow.

AERIAL COACH

Laurie (she/her) has been doing aerials for well over a decade. Laurie specializes in beginner aerials and is a kind, patient, and thorough coach. Laurie is invested in the growth of her students both mentally and physically.

CYR COACH

Peter (he/him) is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in acrobatics, clown, acting, and Cyr wheel. Peter always tries to make learning fun and loves teaching kids and adults. Peter is a full-time theater carpenter and technician by day.

AERIAL COACH

Megan (she/her) is an experienced aerialist who has been training for almost ten years. She excels at creating stunning choreography, mastering advanced techniques, and teaching foundational skills. She is a versatile artist with a primary focus on aerials, but she also trains hand balancing and Cyr wheel. Before discovering her passion for aerial arts, Megan was a competitive gymnast and coach. Her teaching style is focused on fostering creativity, preventing injuries, and expressing oneself through movement.

CIRCUS & AERIAL COACH

Rae (she/her) does ALL the circus. From Juggling, Cyr Wheel, tight wire, and all aerial disciplines, you can always find her Circusing. Rae has taught kids and from Circesteem in Chicago, to, New Jersey Circus Center. She founded the Juggling and Circus Arts club in Galloway, NJ, and even works as the warehouse manager at Firetoys when not training or teaching.

Rae specializes in Diablo and Aerial rope, but will continue to learn as much as she can from all circus disciplines.

AERIAL COACH

Dana (she/her) has been doing circus for almost 2 decades. With a background in Dance, and a brain for creative shapes and pathways, Dana makes a brilliant aerialist. You might not realize she is in the room because she is SO quiet, but her teaching style is supportive, and well thought out. Dana loves creating beautiful choreography with simple skills, and bringing her ballet training and Pilates work to her classes.

AERIAL COACH

Christine (she/her) Christine Morano dancer, aerialist, and acrobat, has over a decade of professional performance experience ranging from experimental to corporate events, from intimate venues and unusual spaces to theaters across the world. She has been coaching aerial since 2009, is a freelance professional aerialist, and is the founder of MoDa Movement Co. She has performed in companies throughout the country such as Thom Lewis Dance Company, Alchemy Dance Company, DanceFusion, Grounded Aerial, Green Chair Dance Group, Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Altitude Aerials, AJ Harper Dance Project, Brian Sanders' JUNK and Almanac Dance Circus Theater, and Acrobatic Conundrum. She has completed the Professional Training Program at Frequent Flyers Productions Aerial Dance Theater, and has completed dynamic rope teacher training as a part of Born To Fly Aerial Teacher Training. When she’s not performing, Christine loves continuing her education and training in multiple dance and circus disciplines, body mechanics, anatomy, and kinesiology as often as possible. She is highly collaborative and is always excited to create with other artists across all mediums, as well as create memorable performances for events.

FLYING POLE, LYRA AND SLING COACH

Katherine Petronaci (she/her) is an international pole dance competitor and aerialist who resides in Philadelphia, PA. She started dancing at the age of 2 and was in a teen touring company known as DanceWorks by the age of 11.

Her dance style is filled with contemporary influences such as Graham and Horton, while being mixed with modern sensual styles inspired by the pole community.

Katherine was a principal dancer and aerialist in the Philadelphia based company SkyDance Philly and is a lead instructor at Flaunt Fitness here in Philadelphia. She has competed in numerous competitions all over the world, including APC, Platinum Pole Championships and The Arnold Classic Pole World Champions and PanAmerican championships in Brazil.

Katherine is so excited to be joining the amazing coaches and performers of the Secret Circus. And she looks forward to inspiring her students to fly.

Aerial Coach

Nicky has been training and teaching pole for over 6 years and is excited to teach flying pole! He focuses on strength and conditioning to help students safely master advanced skills and technique. His dance style focuses on creating fluid and dynamic motion. Outside of flying pole, you can catch him training on rope, trapeze, and Cyr Wheel.

AERIAL COACH / SUB

Ariel (she/her) has been training circus arts for nearly 15 years with coaches in Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. She specializes in rope, with a love for dynamic pathways. One of the things Ariel appreciates most about circus is the opportunity to explore the limits of your strength and creativity in a supportive environment.

GROUND & AERIAL COACH / SUB

Emi (they/them) is a multidisciplinary circus artist and sound designer based in Philadelphia, PA. They specialize in a unique blend of aerial rope, contemporary dance, physical theatre, injury prevention, and original music. A graduate of NECCA’S Professional Training Program, Emi draws on their experiences training in the US, Austria, and Spain to bring variety to their technical coaching, performance labs, and creative consultations. Emi’s anatomically informed coaching style facilitates a safe, collaborative learning environment where students can develop artistically in symbiosis with their technical training.

ACRO & AERIAL COACH

Ilana Rose (she/her) is an aerialist and acrobat from New Mexico recently transplanted to Philly. She is a co-founder of and coach at Pitch Catch Circus and currently performs with her acrobatic trio, The 505. A graduate of Circomedia in Bristol, England, and long-time circus teacher (over 10 years), she loves sharing her passion for silks, trapeze and lyra with youth and adult students alike. When not upside down, you’ll find her in the kitchen making you tacos!