Sharon Jones
When Sharon first witnessed aerial silks in 2018, she was intrigued, and wondered if she had the strength and finesse needed to participate. After hard work and determination, she learned to appreciate the art and fell in love with the beautiful and graceful dance.
In 2020, Sharon started extensive instructor training for aerial silks under the guidance and mentorship program of Cheryl Bushey, owner of Artfit in Lubbock, Texas. Since 2020, Sharon has also cross trained in lyra, pole fitness, and belly dance and realized they all complement each other. Training in these arts has transformed her life, inspiring her to stay humble, relentless, and even changing both physically and mentally.
Sharon has a great passion for dance of all forms but her heart is in the art of aerial silks, lyra, pole fitness, and belly dancing so teaching these classes is a dream come true for her. Sharon enjoys teaching in which she brings a cheerful spirit and encourages each student to learn at their own pace. She also finds great satisfaction in watching her students gain strength and to overcome their fears. Sharon is a firm believer that most things are possible, so she is sure to challenge you and take you to the next level!
Rowan Bender
From the young age of 4 Rowan has been dancing, teaching, and performing to all who would watch and listen. Now a trained professional, Rowan continues to express her love of creative movement through teaching with an emphasis on self expression through dance. Rowan has over 6 years of classical ballet training with additional specialization in lyrical, contemporary and jazz. This includes 4 years of competitive dance where she won multiple solo and team awards.
Performing with the professional acrobatic performance company ‘The Cabiri’ for multiple years solidified Rowan’s love of exhibition. Rowan also competed at the highest level in equestrian vaulting for over 10 years, which is the art of dance and gymnastics on the back of a moving horse! All of these experiences have shaped her into the instructor and choreographer she is today. Rowan takes great pride in watching her students' confidence grow through their exploration of movement.
Lindsay Wickman
Lindsay was first introduced to dance and circus arts in 2018, when she picked up a hula hoop and quickly fell in love with the movement, creativity, and flow state it inspired. Hula hooping gave her the confidence to explore other movement disciplines, leading her to pole in 2023 and aerial silks and lyra at ArtFit Oregon in 2024. Lindsay has recently started teaching aerial silks and pole fitness under the guidance of Sharon. Lindsay is drawn to the aerial arts because it is full of opportunities to grow in strength, confidence, and artistry. Achieving skills that once felt impossible is incredibly empowering, and she loves helping students discover their capabilities. As someone without a childhood background in dance or gymnastics herself, Lindsay believes you do not need a long background in movement to get started — just a willingness to try something new.
Deanna Dickey
Deanna has always felt a deep connection to sound vibrations, sensing their energy from an early age. Her understanding of vibrational energy is rooted in the wisdom of her ancestors, though it took time to fully embrace her gifts. A transformative road trip became the turning point, leading to profound self-discovery and a deeper connection to sound. Her first sound bath was a life-changing moment allowing her to manifest her vision, heal on a deeper level, and step fully into her purpose.
Guided by this awakening, she became a certified sound practitioner, immersing herself in the study of vibrational frequencies and her powerful effects on the mind, body, and spirit. She began her journey in California and later relocated to Oregon, where she now shares the profound benefits of sound vibrations with others.
With seven years of experience in early childhood education, she brings a compassionate and intuitive approach to her work. Through immersive sound bath experiences, she helps others release blockages, restore balance, and awaken their inner clarity. Her mission is to create transformative spaces where individuals can reconnect with themselves and embrace the healing power of sound.
Ashley Garner
With nearly 15 years as a group fitness instructor, Ashley brings extensive experience in building strength, confidence, and community through movement. She discovered her passion for dance while performing throughout college, where she developed a deep love for ballroom and folk styles. Over the past decade, Ashley has embraced choreography for musical theater productions, reigniting her enthusiasm for the artistry and storytelling of the stage. Ashley is thrilled to guide students as they build technical skill and self-assurance, watching choreography come to life and witnessing their personal growth. Above all, she is committed to helping dancers of all levels experience the joy of movement and the empowering feeling of strength.
Michelle Coates
Michelle has personally benefited from, and is a firm believer, in the healing powers of music, movement, and massage. She graduated from a 600-hour education program at East West College of the Healing Arts in 2009 and promptly began facilitating the wellness of others as a Licensed Massage Therapist (#17246) in Portland, OR. She brought her talents to the Oregon Coast in 2013, where she provided massage therapy for a local chiropractor and as a sole practitioner. Many of the clients she acquired in her beginning days on the coast are still with her today and can attest to her unique and effective techniques, which incorporate several modalities such as sports massage, myofascial release, and deep tissue work.
Along with massage and bodywork, Michelle has a passion for hula hoops! She picked up her first hoop at a party in 2019 and has been hooping nearly daily since then, and has even traveled to Europe to share and learn hoop magic with others. Michelle had been exclusively a mobile massage therapist since 2020, and is happy to now have a place for her practice to call home at ArtFit Oregon.
Nichole J.
Nichole started training in Aerial Arts in 2016 after she was invited to attend a student showcase and was instantly intrigued. She trained in classes and workshops to refine her skills with Aerial Lyra, Silks, Flexibility, and Pole Dance. Discovering confidence and joy in movement, she began performing in more shows and competitions. She also enjoys strength training and practicing yoga for over a decade and completed her RYT 200 Yoga training in 2020. She has been teaching Hatha Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Circuit/Conditioning and Dance classes at studios and gyms all over the valley. She is passionate about art, holistic living, nutrition, ecology, education, and teaching flow and circus arts.