Our team brings together certified aerial and pole fitness instructors with years of experience in aerial arts, dance, and fitness. Our instructors have earned recognition throughout Montana and beyond:
🏅Mindy and Mariah have been finalists in Montana's Got Talent
🏅Alanna taking home first place for Montana's Got Talent this year
🏅Mindy won the solo division and Bailey won the duet division at Montana's first and only pole fitness competition in Missoula
Our team also includes:
🏅Molly, winner of The 406 Voice
🏅Lune, a former Hammer Nutrition sponsored athlete
🏅Mariah, whose culinary talents have been featured on HBO and the Food Network, displaying a natural stage presence
These accomplishments bring more than impressive titles to our team; they reflect the strength, discipline, creativity, athleticism, and performance experience we bring to our work as aerial instructors and performers. Our performers have wowed audiences at festivals and events throughout the Northwest and alongside renowned aerial artists, including performers from Cirque du Soleil and MarchFourth.
With extensive training, certifications, competition experience, and professional performance backgrounds, our instructors bring a high level of expertise and passion to help you find your best self! Meet the team below, then come join us for a class!

Mindy Cochran, Founder
Aerial Silks, Aerial Hammock, Aerial Hoop, Pole & Flying Pole, Stiltwalking, Interval Training Instructor, Fire & Go-Go Dancing
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🎓 Highly Certified
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Holds multiple certifications in aerial, pole, and group fitness
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🏆 Accomplished Performer
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1st place soloist in Montana’s first-ever pole competition
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Finalist in Montana's Got Talent (duet with Instructor Mariah Gladstone)
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🔗Read Mindy's full bio here.

Lune Axelsen
Aerial Hoop, Lollipop, Yoga, Fire Dancing, Go-Go Dancing
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🧗♀️ Passion for Movement
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Introduced to Hatha yoga by her father as a child
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Fell in love with rock climbing and became a climbing guide
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Discovered the aerial hoop and instantly connected with its blend of art with strength
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🎓 Expertise & Credentials
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Longtime certified yoga instructor
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Former Hammer Nutrition sponsored athlete
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Featured on the Healthy Wealthy People Podcast, discussing injury recovery, mindfulness, and determination

Catherine Murray
Aerial Hoop, Aerial Hammock, Aerial Silks
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🎪 A Decade in Aerial Fitness
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10+ years of experience across multiple apparatuses which allows her to bring creativity and adaptability into every class
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💜 Resilience & Real-Life Perspective
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Longtime Flathead Valley resident
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Navigates life and fitness as a type 1 diabetic
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Tala Mulder
Flow Arts, Pole, Fire & Go-Go Dancing
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🎨 Flow Arts Expertise
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7+ years of experience
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Has performed at numerous venues and events, including dancing on the main stage at Montana’s largest EDM festival alongside DJ Borgore
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A beloved fire dancer for the Whitefish Holiday Fire Show
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Sponsored artist with LiviJoyHoops
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Lexi Palmer
Aerial Hoop, Stiltwalking
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🎪 Experience & Highlights
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Five years of experience in aerial arts
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Standout performer at the Faerie Festival; recognized for captivating aerial performance and imaginative costuming
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Performed in the award-winning first-place float at the Whitefish Winter Carnival Parade
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Brittany Hughes
Aerial Hoop
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🎪 History & Favorite Apparatus
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Has been training alongside the Elevated Aerial community since 2018
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💜 Why She Teaches
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After navigating her own mental health challenges, which she openly shares to encourage others, Brittany discovered aerial as the one space that helped her truly believe in herself. She knows firsthand that movement is powerful medicine; and she is passionate about helping others build that same self-confidence and inner strength.
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Mariah Gladstone
Aerial Hoop, Pole & Flying Pole, Aerial Silks, Aerial Hammock, Acro
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🎈 Aerial Journey
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Training for 10+ Years
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Finalist in Montana’s Got Talent, performing a stunning duet with Elevated Aerial founder Mindy C.
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💼 Accomplished Beyond the Studio
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Founder of Indigikitchen, a pre-colonial Indigenous cooking show
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TEDxBozeman speaker
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Culinary features on HBO and the Food Network
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Brings natural stage presence and audience connection to her aerial instruction and performances
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Reegan Gaines
Pole Dancing, Flying Pole, Heelography, Chair Dance, Acro Yoga
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🌟 Aerial Journey
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Training for 10+ Years
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💕 Community & Connection
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Outside the studio, Reegan has spent years serving the Postpartum Resource Group
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💪Teaching Philosophy
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Focuses on strong, confident fundamentals while meeting students where they are. After rebuilding her own aerial skills following her third pregnancy, she understands the courage it takes to begin; or begin again!
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Molly Cummings
Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Stiltwalking
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🌟 Artist in Air & On Stage
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Years of training and performance across multiple artistic disciplines
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First place winner of the 406 Voice contest, showcasing her vocal power and stage presence
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📸 Aerial Features & Community Roots
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Featured in Montana Woman Magazine (2019) modeling on aerial silks alongside instructors Bailey and Mindy
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Elevated Aerialists performed at her wedding, celebrating her deep connection to the community she uplifts
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Alanna Glennon
Aerial Silks, Aerial Hammock, Aerial Hoop, Fire, Stiltwalking, Contortion, Acro Yoga
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🎪 Circus Beginnings
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Trained since youth with our founder, Mindy
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Took time away from training due to cheerleading injury
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Rebuilt trust in her body through Elevated Aerial Studio
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🔥 Special Highlights
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Accepted into the prestigious École Nationale de Cirque summer program in Montreal
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First place winner of the 2026 Montana's Got Talent Dance Category
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📖 Read Her Full Comeback Story: A Testament to the Healing Potential of Movement

Chrystal Effertz
Aerial Hammock, Stiltwalking, Fire Spinning
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🏔️ Montana-Based & Community-Focused
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Montana resident for 20+ years
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Has performed on major stages, including opening for New Kids on the Block
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Known for her connection, encouragement, and ability to inspire students
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Erica Baugley
Belly Dancing, Fire Spinning
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🌟 Dance & Performance
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Over five years of belly dance training under nationally recognized dancers
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Performer at JamBallah, a multi-day festival in Portland celebrating stage and street fusion dance styles
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Teaching belly dance in the Flathead Valley since 2023
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