We recently connected with Aerial Ambitions and have shared our conversation below.
Aerial, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
The aerial arts have been a creative outlet for both Khris Kirk and Amanda Box for years. It’s a place to escape from the “real” world and express their emotions. During the pandemic when they lost access to that outlet, first through facility shutdowns then through teachers leaving the area, they felt a need to recreate that outlet for themselves and the Greenville community. So, Khris and Amanda banded together to get the proper teaching certifications and launched Aerial Ambitions in August 2021. When they first opened the business, they expressed their creativity through creating lesson plans to break down skills that were accessible to all types of student abilities and experience. While this is still an outlet for the two instructors and as their students continue to progress, they realized the need to continue to push their own individual creative boundaries. That is when they decided to put on their first student showcase in October of 2022. The showcase gave their students an opportunity to practice and polish an aerial performance piece while expressing their emotions and confidence. This also opened the door for Khris and Amanda to expand on their creativity by adding choreography to music for the performances. They both believe that creating multiple performance pieces for students of differing skill levels pushes them artistically to make sure that each unique showcase features that individual student’s skills and musicality, while staying within an overall showcase theme. Khris and Amanda collaborate on their initial ideas, then workshop those sequences of movements to create a memorable routine that is right for that performer or act. After the first successful showcase with 6 acts, they are now producing 2 showcases a year. Aerial Ambitions’ upcoming Halloween showcase is their biggest yet, featuring 16 performers in 11 acts.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Aerial Ambitions was founded to meet our students wherever they’re at in their aerial arts journey, from beginner to experienced. We want to help you achieve your ambitions. Aerial silks and Lyra (hoop) are great ways to gain strength, flexibility, and self-confidence in a fun and supportive environment. We strive to make every experience full of positivity and personal growth. We are currently in preparation for our 3rd Student Showcase. It is happening on October 29th at 7:00pm at MOTIVE School of Movement located at 10 Webb Road in Greenville, SC. Come check out our amazing students! Then try a class yourself any Sunday morning or Monday evening and learn to fly!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
While Amanda and Khris are still building on their initial success, they have come a long way from holding a single silks class on Sunday mornings to now hosting 6-8 classes every week, including dedicated children’s aerial classes. To accomplish this growth, they have relied on their strong collaboration as instructors, while fostering a community of inclusivity and creativity. Amanda and Khris both have full time jobs and busy lives outside of Aerial Ambitions. They make their aerial business work through good communication, a love for what they are doing, and diligent planning on how best to operate the business. The business has flourished by making their passion for aerial arts accessible for all ages, body types, and personalities. They create an environment where all people feel welcome and can grow at their own pace no matter what their goal is whether it’s increasing strength, building self-confidence, developing flexibility, or working up to performing. While Amanda and Khris have certainly hit some roadblocks along the way, their commitment to creative problem solving, adapting accordingly, and evolving while staying true to their passion for the aerial arts has enabled them to continue to grow.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Amanda is a working Mom with a 16-year-old daughter and a job that requires her to travel. Khris is working to pass her final exams to become licensed as an Architect for her full time job at an architecture firm, while also being heavily involved in the ultimate frisbee club community. During the past 2 years, both received promotions at their day jobs, while growing Aerial Ambitions. Being leaders and important figure heads at their day jobs while running a side business that requires physical and mental conditioning could lead some to feel overwhelmed or burnt out. Amanda & Khris avoid this by working as a team. When one of them is carrying a heavier load outside of the aerial business, the other picks up the slack. They do this through constant communication and mutual understanding to help each other out. They are highly motivated and always get energy from encouraging their students and developing their partnership. They support one another to get into the gym to continue their own physical and artistic development. While some days it may be hard to show up to the gym to workout, they both always leave feeling rejuvenated with a sense of accomplishment and optimism for the future. They would advise those who are feeling overwhelmed to have a support system in place, and lean on those people to help you when you’re in need. Sometimes just having someone to share the load can make everything come out better in the end.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aerialambitions.com
- Instagram: @aerialambitionssc
- Facebook: Aerial Ambitions
Image Credits
@simplysutherlandmedia
