300 W. HARGETT ST, #40, RALEIGH, NC 919-714-9082
Meet the Team
Sara
Founder/CEO
Sara created Cirque de Vol to combine her life passions. She specializes in performance production and aerial rigging, and has trained with Delbert Hall, Cathy Gauch of Aerial Aircats in Boulder, Co. and Ludwig of Ludwig rigs in Golden, CO. Sara worked for many years as a circus and performance artist, aerial instructor and meditation teacher. In 2009 she founded and led Cirque's event booking company where she organized, directed and produced staged aerial and circus theatre productions, including her personal passion project the Fringe Dwellers. Her favorite movement and performance art forms include hoop dance, fire arts, ritual performance, compositional and improvisational dance. Her intention is to create an aspiring community that fosters human growth through creative movement and community. She finds deep worth in practicing and sharing the joy that can be found in these art forms. Sara works in transformational and breakthrough coaching, and as founder and CEO of Cirque de Vol.
Montana
Circus Performer
Montana Dare is a Raleigh native, seasoned circus artist, and passionate educator who brings her vibrant energy and diverse skill set to Cirque de Vol. A true multi-disciplinary performer, she specializes in unicycling, juggling, CYR wheel, hoop dance, fire arts, and stilt-walking. With years of experience in both performance and instruction, Montana is passionate about creating magical, empowering experiences for youth through the circus arts.
Natalia
Aerial & Yoga Instructor
Natalia is an avid traveler and an incessant seeker of the true nature of being. Since childhood, she explored diverse artistic expressions including dancing, writing, poetry, music and theater, but her main interest was looking for paths that allow access to spiritual evolution and healing. That's why she started practicing Zen meditation and Yoga more than 12 years ago in Chile, her native country.
Over the years, she became a Registered Nurse specialized in Hemodialysis, worked at a children's hospital including Critical Care and Emergency room. But her passion for traveling and her constant personal search led her to quit her job and go for a trip to Asia for 8 months, where she learned about Buddhism in Tibet, and Hinduism and Yoga in India and Nepal, among other countries. Later on, she moved to the USA where she got certified as a 200hr yoga teacher by Yoga Alliance. Currently, Natalia is enrolled to complete her 500hr yoga teacher training.
She fell in love with aerial arts during the pandemic. Natalia completed her Aerial Teacher Trainer in 2022 with The Paper Doll Militia Company.
Angela
Office Manager
Angela and her daughter first got involved in aerial and circus arts with Cirque de Vol in 2016. Since then, Angela has become an integral member of Cirque de Vol’s management team, contributing to the organization’s growth and operations. She brings a strong background in operations, organization, and creative support, helping ensure the studio runs smoothly behind the scenes. In addition to her work with Cirque, she is a video content creator and tarot reader, bringing creativity, insight, and care into everything she does. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at home with her many, many cats.
Cassidy
Aerial Silks and Sling Instructor
Meet Cassidy. Data Scientist by day, sling slaying + silk instructor by night. Cassidy completed her Aerial Silk Instructor Training in November of 2021 with The Paper Doll Militia, and followed by a level one-two training with Waverly Jones of Empreyean Arts.
Shannon
Aerial Yoga Instructor, Certified with Amber Monson of Sky Gym, Atlanta
Shannon’s goal is for every aerial yoga class to leave students feeling more grounded, more confident, and carrying a little less of the week’s stress. As a plus-size yogi and aerialist, she is committed to creating a welcoming environment where everyBODY feels strong, capable, and supported exactly as they are.
Shannon received her aerial yoga teacher certification at Cirque de Vol, with Amber Monson of Sky Gym, Atlanta.
Kevin
Aerial Rigging & Safety
Kevin has been a professional rigger, work at height safety trainer and evaluator, rope access technician, backcountry access guide, and fall protection safety equipment retailer for over 10 years. His attraction to climbing and heights as a child amplified when his older sister introduced him to sport rock climbing at the age of ten. This passion has persisted ever since.
While receiving his MBA at the University of Hawaii, Kevin partnered with the small climbing outfitter Climb Aloha. The company soon grew from selling rock climbing equipment to providing professional fall protection equipment to all work at height industries. In addition to equipment, the company expanded its recreational rock climbing school into an accreditation academy that serves working professionals.
Sebastian
Pa'Volar Coach, Kids and Adult Aerial, Strength & Flexibility Instructor
Sebastian is a dedicated aerialist and senior instructor with over a decade of experience in aerial silks, sling, duo fabric, aerial cube, lyra, and aerial rope. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a teacher training certification from Aerial Physique in Los Angeles. Known for his ability to train students for competitive success and create compelling choreographies, Sebastian excels at developing routines, workshops, and conditioning programs to enhance strength, technique, and artistic expression. Originally from Colombia and raised in Venezuela, Sebastian began his aerial journey in 2014. His coaching combines technical precision, injury prevention, and artistic flair, ensuring students build strength, fluidity, and confidence. His background in social work enhances his ability to support students both physically and emotionally.
Devena
Aerial and Yoga Instructor
Devena brings over 40 years of healthcare experience to her yoga teaching, blending peace, energy, and movement. She began formal yoga practice in 2008 and discovered aerial yoga in 2019, earning certifications from Maui Yoga and Dance Shala and the Aerial Fitness Institute. Devena specializes in yoga and aerial yoga for all levels, focusing on mindful breath, movement, and personalized modifications. Her philosophy centers on joy, presence, and transformation—helping students find freedom through their practice.
Rachel
Aerial Yoga & Strangth and Flexibility Instructor
Rachel began practicing aerial yoga and aerial arts in 2023 and has loved every minute of it. She completed her teacher's certification for Aerial Yoga, Aerial Yin Yoga, and Aerial Strength in January 2025 in Nashville, TN with Movement Lounge By Yoga Muttz. Rachel's classes focus on enhancing the mind-body connection and finding joy through movement, combining principles of traditional yoga philosophy with creativity and exploration. She is excited to continue her aerial journey at Cirque de Vol and grow alongside her students to reach new heights together, both physically and spiritually.
Annabelle
Kids and Teen Aerial Instructor
Annabelle was inspired to learn aerial silks after attending a summer camp at Cirque de Vol in 2014. She has been passionate about silks ever since, and in 2024 began her teaching journey at Cirque de Vol!
Gabrielle
Aerial Silks Instructor & PaVolar Assistant
Gabrielle was born and raised in North Carolina and moved to Orlando shortly after college to pursue new adventures. It was there that she discovered her passion for aerial arts in 2017, beginning as a hobby that soon became a lifelong pursuit. Since then, Gabrielle has performed in multiple showcases, attended aerial-focused retreats overseas, and taught both beginner and advanced students at local studios. Now back in her Carolina roots, she’s excited to continue growing as both an artist and instructor, sharing her love for aerial silks and the artistry of movement with her community.
Olivia
Ground Coach/ Trainer
Olivia began circus training at age 9 at Circus Juventas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Through the end of high school, she trained in contortion, handstands, two-person hammock, double cloud swing, hoops, 4-gal spinning cube, and experimented with a few more acts along the way. She took a break to attend college at Virginia Tech, and now is excited to return to the circus as a coach.
Jennifer
Aerial Yoga Instructor
Jennifer Peavey is an author, artist, and certified aerial yoga instructor with certification from the internationally accredited Aerial Yoga Academy. As the author of Natural Reflectors, she brings a unique philosophy of intentional reflection to her teaching, guiding students to move with intention and find beauty in both the details and the bigger picture of their practice.
Lilly
Aerial Instructor
Lilly is an aerialist from Narragansett, Rhode Island and is currently attending North Carolina State University. Lilly is pursing a Fashion and Textile Management degree to chase her dreams of becoming Miranda Priestly from the Devil Wears Prada. She began practicing silks when she was 9 years old, and since then she has found her sanctuary and sanity in hanging upside down. Lilly’s primary apparatus is aerial silks, but she also has a special place in her heart for all things conditioning related. She finds joy and strength in pushing herself to be the best she can be, and lives for the creativity and excitement that aerial has to offer. Lilly loves to create an upbeat, positive, and energetic class atmosphere and will be the first one to drop and hold that plank right along with you. She has been teaching silks at her home studio in Rhode Island since 2023 and is super excited to join the CDV team here in Raleigh.
Joel
Event Booking & Performance Agent
Hi, I'm Joel, a lifelong acrobat, circus artist and booking agent here at Cirque De Vol!
My background is diverse, beginning in central Indiana, growing up homeschooled and practicing many different movement modalities, including but not limited to; skateboarding, gymnastics, partner dance, rock climbing and mountain biking. I eventually found my way to the circus and auditioned for the National Circus School of Montreal where I completed my education in 2020 majoring in tight-wire. Since then I have been traveling the world performing, growing my skills as an artist and have even developed my own shows alongside friends and colleagues. Working for Cirque De Vol is exciting for me because it allows me to help artists connect with great work opportunities and bring more circus performances to people across the United-States. I truly enjoy getting to know the details about our clients' events and connecting them with the right resources and performers to bring their ideas to life. Thank you for taking the time to get to know our work.
Hannah
Event Booking & Performance Agent
Hannah is a professional circus artist, coach, and event producer with Cirque de Vol. Trained at the National Circus School in Montreal, she specializes in tightwire and acrobatics, with roots in competitive gymnastics and international touring.
She has performed worldwide with leading companies and festivals, while also creating original work as a solo artist and with her duo, Primary Witness. With experience both on stage and behind the scenes, Hannah brings a sharp creative eye and production expertise to every project.
Driven by connection, artistry, and impact, she’s passionate about crafting unforgettable, high-level experiences through Cirque de Vol.
Natasha
Pa’Volar Assistant & Dance Coach
Natasha Falerne brings over 20 years of professional dance training and performance experience to the Pa’Volar program at Cirque de Vol. Originally from South Africa, she has competed across Europe, trained with a wide range of artists, and performed on stages internationally.
At Cirque de Vol, Natasha serves as Administrative Manager and Assistant Director of the Pa’Volar Performance Program, in addition to her role as a dance coach. She teaches a variety of styles including contemporary, jazz, modern, lyrical, and commercial, supporting students in developing strong technique, expressive movement, and performance confidence.
Dance is both Natasha’s career and her passion. She is dedicated to helping students grow as artists and bring their performances to life with authenticity, creativity, and confidence.