With over 35 years experience in the Aerial Arts industry, we bring a depth of knowledge & wisdom to our trainings.

Aircat Aerial Arts Teacher Training - Foundations Course

All Trainings are on a Request basis. Please Email cathy@aircat.net if you are interested.

Please email cathy@aircat.net if you are interested.
Available to come to teach the training at your studio.

Cathy Gauch, director of Aircat Aerial Arts, has been teaching a Nationally Recognized Aerial Teacher Training course since 2011. This program upholds industry safety standards, providing new instructors with the tools needed to coach with confidence, emphasizing student safety & success. It is designed to equip coaches with a framework with which to teach in addition to providing resources & guidance for continual professional development.

Our focus is on the bigger picture of how to teach versus teaching a specific curriculum. Building from individuals’ libraries of known skills, we will apply critical thought to the teaching process and provide a strong foundation for coaching recreational aerial arts.

We will comprehensively explore fundamental aspects of aerial coaching such as understanding how your students spatially relate & recognizing their patterns as well as those listed below:

1. Anatomy & injury prevention
2. Risk management
3. Rigging fundamentals
4. Spotting & cueing techniques
5. Mat fall training
6. Classroom management, lesson planning, curriculum
7. Progressions & how to assess
8. Foundations & theory of drops & falls

While we have over 30 hours of in person training, there will also be homework between our sessions.

Our focus is primarily on aerial silks & vertical apparatus

Requirements for a Certificate of Completion include, attending the in person training, passing the final written and practical exams, outside rigging training, First Aid & CPR, Youth Protection Training, Practice teaching hours. Further details will be provided at the training.

Who is this training for?

This training is for those who have at least 1 year previous aerial fabric experience and have a strong desire to teach Aerial Fabric and other aerial arts safely and effectively. This is a “how to teach” training, not a “how to do” training. You must be able to competently demonstrate aerial skills in your application video to be accepted into the training. See Link for application requirements

Participation in this course is by acceptance of your application and full payment.

Required materials:

Please purchase from Lulu.com (sign up for their mailing list for coupons & discounts!) & bring to the in-person training.
The Aerial Fabric Manual Volume 1 by Rebekah Leach
The Aerial Teacher’s Handbook by Julianna Hane

Course Fee:
TBD

$400 deposit and accepted application is required to hold your spot in the course.
Remaining balance is due 14 days prior.

Apprenticeships with Aircat Aerial Arts are available on a case by case basis.

For more information and registration please contact Cathy Gauch at cathy@aircat.net or (303) 442-1288

2022 Application & Instructions (pdf)

2022 Application & Instruction (WORD)

Reference Form only

YOUR INSTRUCTORS:

Leah Grandstaff

Cathy Gauch

Founder and Director of Aircat Aerial Arts. Cathy has been an aerial performer and coach for over 25 years teaching children and adults as well as beginners through professionals. She teaches Beginning – Intermediate level Aerial Fabric class, performance, technique, Level 1 & 2 Aircat Aerial Yoga Teacher Training, Aerial Fabric Teacher Training.

Leah was introduced to the circus arts with the aerial silks in 2013. Inspired to share her love of aerial movement, she began her journey as an aerial coach in 2016 by enrolling in Cathy’s Teacher Training program. Other notable professional development certifications include Aeriality Aerial Yoga & Air Control Pilates ®. She teaches aerial classes through Aircat Aerial Arts, Aerial Cirque over Denver, In the Wings aerial dance company & guest instructs at several other local studios including Gravity Aerial Arts, Circus Collective, & APEX Denver. She was thrilled to teach at the annual Colorado Aerial Arts Summit in 2021 - 2024. Leah has been a cast member of the Phantom Circus since 2016 & In the Wings aerial dance company since 2019. She specializes in aerial silks & duo-trapeze, but enjoys exploring all manner of apparatuses including lyra, dance trapeze, corde, straps, sling & loops.

TESTIMONIALS:

Aircat Teacher Training was such a great experience. As a future aerial teacher, I am grateful for the program and I look forward to Aerial Teacher Trainings becoming more standardized. Liam and Cathy are so thorough. It was great to break everything down!” -Meredith McMurray, Aspen Aerials / aka Aerial Artique in Novato, CA

“A much needed course for understanding the aerial arts. Most “dive” right in and have nothing under their belts to
base the moves off of. This course teaches you to respect yourself, students and boundaries.” -Ciara Lace, Big Top Circus in Lincoln, NE

“Another amazing Teacher Training with Cathy!” -Heidi Miller in steamboat Springs, CO

Aerial Yoga Teacher Training

Aircat Aerial Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training

Training is available by request.

Please email cathy@aircat.net if you are interested.
Available to come to teach the training at your studio.

Instructors: Cathy Gauch and the Aircat Aerial Yoga staff

For more information, application, and registration please contact Cathy Gauch at cathy@aircat.net or (303) 442-1288

Application