The art of moving through air.
Aerial silks is the art of climbing, wrapping, and suspending the body on two lengths of fabric hung from above. It demands upper body strength, body awareness, flexibility, and the courage to trust yourself at height.
At E5 it's a standalone program — separate from NinFit, built on its own level system, and taught by coaches with real professional performance backgrounds. Athletes progress from foundational climbs and wraps through to drops, inversions, and eventually full aerial sequences.
You don't need to be a gymnast. You don't need prior experience. You need to be willing to work and willing to grow.
Six levels across two class tiers. Every skill earned. Every level a genuine step forward — in strength, in artistry, and in confidence.
Beginner silks builds the physical foundation that every advanced skill depends on. Coaches develop clean technique from the start — habits formed here carry through every level above.
Intermediate silks is where athleticism becomes artistry. Students begin developing personal style and — for those who want it — preparing for real performances and eventually E5 Echo.
Both coaches are practitioners first. They've trained at serious institutions, performed on real stages, and brought that experience back to Salida.
Lexee began her movement journey in competitive gymnastics before earning a BFA from Wayne State University and training at the Moscow Arts Theatre School. She later joined Aloft's Full-Time Training Program in Chicago — one of the country's most rigorous aerial training facilities — where she specialized in handbalancing, trapeze, and flexibility. She performs internationally alongside Joe and leads E5 Echo. When Lexee teaches aerial, she teaches from the inside out.
Emily fell in love with aerial silks at age 9 and trained consistently at E5 before becoming a coach at 14. She has competed and performed at VIVA Fest — the Vegas International Variety Act Festival, one of the premier circus arts competitions in North America — bringing real competitive experience to the way she coaches. Emily works with both beginner and intermediate students, and her own journey through the program makes her uniquely equipped to guide athletes through it.
Not every aerial student wants to perform — and that's completely fine. The silks program develops strong, capable, expressive athletes regardless of where they take it.
But for students who discover they love performing, there's a clear path from class floor to real stage. Intermediate students have opportunities to perform at community showcases and events. And for the most serious athletes, E5 Echo — our elite performance troupe — is the next step.
Echo is audition-based, year-round, and involves real performance travel. It's built for athletes who are ready to commit to something beyond class.
The new E5 facility is being built with aerial in mind. New rigging points, greater ceiling height, and expanded apparatus will open the program to disciplines we can't currently teach.
Foundation skills, conditioning, and technique. Learning to move in the fabric with confidence and control.
Advanced sequences, artistry, and performance preparation. Where technique becomes expression.
Intermediate students perform publicly at E5 showcases and local events. Optional but open to all who are ready.
E5's audition-based performance troupe. Year-round commitment, real performances, travel. The top of the pathway.
For the most serious performers — competitive circus arts at the national and international level, including the Vegas International Variety Act Festival.
Aerial Silks is open to athletes ages 8–14. No prior experience required — just the drive to learn something extraordinary. See the schedule for beginner and intermediate class times.
Does my child need to be strong to start?
No. Beginner silks builds the strength required for the discipline — you don't arrive with it. The conditioning happens inside the class. What helps most isn't existing strength, it's consistency and willingness to work.
Is aerial silks safe for kids?
Yes, when taught correctly by qualified coaches. E5's aerial program is led by coaches with professional performance backgrounds and training in circus pedagogy. All work is height-appropriate for the student's level and spotting is used throughout the learning process.
Does my child have to perform?
Not at all. Many students train purely for the love of the discipline. Performance opportunities exist for intermediate students who want them — but they're optional, not expected.
What's the difference between beginner and intermediate?
Beginner (Levels 1–3) focuses on foundational technique — climbs, basic wraps, inversions, and body conditioning. Intermediate (Levels 4–6) builds on that with advanced sequences, drops, choreography, and performance preparation. Athletes progress when coaches observe consistent readiness, not on a fixed timeline.
Can my child do aerial silks and NinFit?
Yes — and the two programs complement each other well. NinFit builds body awareness, strength, and spatial confidence that transfers directly into aerial. Many E5 athletes train in both.
What is E5 Echo?
Echo is E5's elite performance troupe — audition-based, year-round, and built for athletes who want to perform at a higher level. It involves real performances, travel, and a serious time commitment. It's the top of the aerial pathway at E5, and it's something students grow into — not something they start in.