Meet: Jackson, Alexa & Gannon. "We are so excited to be performing for such an amazing cause. All three of us are Florida natives, and became friends in college. Gannon Thomas and Jackson Chase attend Shenandoah University, while Alexa Fillalan attends Rider University, all pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Jackson and Alexa were previously interns here at the Dr. Philips Center this past summer, and both participated in their summer production of RENT. They are both current Sophomores, while Gannon is graduating this Spring! We wish him all the best in his career, and are excited to have a chance to sing all together for this wonderful showcase.”
Meet: KREWCIAL Group Performance Representing DGBEK Teens @dgbekteens DGBEK represents the 5 Pillars of Hip Hop. The foundation for an entire culture and movement that has not only changed lives but, saved them. A culture that has given meaning and expression to the passion of so many. The five pillars of Hip Hop are: DJaying, Graffiti, Breaking, Emceeing, & Knowledge. These are the 5 Elements of Hip Hop on which our dance culture was founded over 45 years ago in the streets of New York City. DGBEK Studios, the Hip Hop Dance Academy is where artists, performers, and students can call home. DGBEK Studios is the only studio of it's kind in Orlando, teaching and training in the fundamentals of Hip Hop Dance to all ages and all skill levels. You do not want to miss this Dynamic Woman Empowerment Piece by these Amazing Young Women!
Meet: Emily @manifestfitnessemily Emily Conti is a versatile performer and movement enthusiast who recently showcased her fire dancing talents at Miami Swim Week. This season, she can be seen bringing holiday cheer as a Toy Doll in the Universal Studios Holiday Parade. When she’s not captivating audiences, Emily shares her passion for movement by teaching Orangetheory Fitness and yoga classes, believing that movement is the best medicine we have.
Meet: Nicole @dancinggirlnicole Classically trained in ballet, pointe, tap and jazz, Nicole danced for Orlando, Florida theme parks and events before immersing herself in aerial arts in 2012. Although lyra is Nicole’s primary love, she also excels at silks, hammock, cube and lollipop lyra. Nicole is an accomplished, emotionally invested performer, choreographer and storyteller who has performed throughout Florida and the Southeast as well as the Bahamas, Belize and Mexico. She recently was a featured aerialist in the Jungle Book at the Dr. Phillips Center and frequently performs for local events. She regularly judges the Florida Aerial Arts Championship and adores being a coach and cheerleader for her students.
Meet: Duo Air Alchemy @duoairalchemy Ben and Lisa began their respective aerial journeys 10 years ago. Each began with aerial silks and lyra. After a while, Ben discovered aerial straps and it became his passion and he dove in. Lisa fell in love with aerial hammock and eventually also, found her way to aerial straps. Both have been professionally performing aerial for over 7 years. 2 years ago the two met and the magic they found in the air was immediate! Since then they have continued to perform and have been teaching aerial duo workshops locally in Central Florida and out-of-state. They are located in Central Florida where they train, teach, perform and thrive. They recently performed in First Blush with Velvet Scorpion and The Shift with Emotions Dance.
Meet: Yvona @yvonaswellness graduated with a degree in Dance Performance from Valencia College. She has dedicated her training mostly to teaching others and helping them become strong, while building confidence. She had some injuries that pushed back her performing career a little, but for the past 5 years she has been able to perform in multiple different cities including the past 2 years for International Polecon. She also hosts her own dance showcase "Faces of the Future," twice a year. From telling a story, to making her audience feel something, Yvona truly feels complete while on stage. Get ready to dive deep into an emotional journey watching her perform for a purpose!
Meet: Daeci, Rae, and Jules are a dynamic trio of aerialists and performers who will be debuting a unique collaborative act together for the very first time at the Butterfly Effect Showcase. Each member brings a wealth of experience from their individual careers as solo artists and in duo performances, making this new partnership one to watch. @juleskbee @aerialshenanigizer @daceefacee
Meet: Ris @aerialmedperform “A dancer and performer since ten years old with backgrounds in various styles of dance. I found aerial performance around the same time I was leaving dance and felt that I have found the perfect fit for me. Since then, I have trained in various apparatuses which has only increased my performance ability and just like every scholar constantly growing and learning to this day. I would love to showcase how much of an art all forms of aerial are and to open up for more opportunities for future aerialists to perform in professional settings.”- Ris
Representing Impulse Dance Studio (St. Pete and Brandon Locations) Meet: Dr. Sweet J Boss Lady Sammie Samantha Styx Representing Impulse Pole Dance Studio (St Pete and Brandon locations) @impulsepoledance @impulsepoledancebrandon Sammie is a psychology graduate who started her pole journey at Body and Pole in NYC nearly two years ago. With no prior dance background, she discovered a love for pole, appreciating how it strengthens both mind and body. She aims to inspire students to feel strong, confident, and enjoy working out while embracing their pole journeys. Joan, aka Dr. Sweet J, is a certified Level 1 pole instructor with almost two of experience. She is also a Bronze Medalist in the Level 2 Championship category at PSO Nationals and holds a doctorate in education. From Puerto Rico, she integrates her expertise in Spanish Language Arts into her teaching, inspiring students with her empowering and transformative routines. Samantha Styx is a creative and sultry performer with a background in competitive dance and years of teaching dance. A regular at the International Pole Convention and her home studio, she blends cleverness and sexiness in every performance. As an OG gamer girl, she brings a unique flair to her routines. Lauren, also known as Boss Lady, the founder of Ybor City Sirens LLC, is a multifaceted performer and instructor. She combines burlesque, cosplay, pole dancing, and makeup artistry, known for delivering campy yet sultry performances. Her passion for cats and saving the world adds to her dynamic personality. Samantha Styx and Boss Lady are part of the Ybor City Sirens who love giving back to their community. They recently raised over $1,000 for two local charities. Impulse Studios is coming into it's 15th yr. in business empowering clients to embody their values, Worthy, Willing & Wild. As the founders of Pole for a Purpose, which ran for 10 yrs and raised over 40k for local charities helping Women and their families overcome abuse, they are so proud to see another amazing charity showcase come to fruition!
Meet: Lacy @theaerialillusionscompany @poleandaerialfitness Lacy Kelly is a renowned performer, coach, and one of the very few Spiral performers in the world. With over 23 years of experience as a pole performer, Lacy has mastered her craft and is now dedicated to sharing her unique skills through Spiral, an aerial performance art, with audiences across the country. As the owner of Pole and Aerial Fitness @poleandaerialfitness in Naples, Florida, Lacy has created a hub for aerialists and fitness enthusiasts to train and grow. She is currently building the Aerial Illusions Company @theaerialillusionscompany to bring the magic of Spiral to new heights, making this incredible performance style accessible nationwide. A lifelong coach, Lacy has a deep passion for helping others unlock their potential, both in the studio and on stage. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is a proud mother and a "fairy godmother" to all those who enter her life, offering guidance, support, and a nurturing spirit to her students and performers. With a heart for performance and a soul dedicated to mentoring, Lacy Kelly is a force in the aerial world, pushing boundaries and inspiring others to fly.
Meet: Blake Borders @blake.borders Blake is an internationally recognized performer known for his aerial performances and unique apparatuses. He has toured across the United States before settling in Las Vegas post pandemic. New to Orlando, he is excited to share his love for circus to a new audience of people from all walks of life. As a coach, creator, and performer, Blake is happy to bring new inspiration and new ideas to each experience he is a part of. Blake is a multi award winning circus artist having won Gold at the Aerialympics and being a finalist at the Vivafest Pro Competition in 2024. He has produced and directed shows in Las Vegas and performed alongside many talented artists and performers. From Rupaul's Drag Race to Gwen Steffani, Blake is excited to continue to grow his career. He is excited to be giving back to the community and sharing his talents to help such a powerful cause!
Meet: Gabi @gabriellemarie07 Hello, I’m Gabrielle! I’m originally from NC and moved out FL back in 2016. My silks adventure began about 7 years ago, my friend owns a studio and he invited me to try out a class. Since that day, I’ve never stopped training. I fell in love with the art of aerial silks, I’ve grown stronger not only physically but mentally. I enjoy learning so many creative ideas and styles from other people and the friends I have made within my circus circle. On the side, I teach aerial silks to beginners a couple of times a week. I have performed in Charlotte, Nc at the “Bloom Festival,” and have done mostly showcases for the studio I train in. I hope to continue silks for as long as possible, I want to share as much as I can through my practices and performing. I even went to Greece to learn different techniques and training opportunities, I look forward to where this art can take me each day.
Meet: Natalya Nightshade @natalya.nightshade Known for her seductive sensuality, mesmerizing details, and one of a kind stage presence, Natalya Nightshade has brought her intoxicating style to national and international stages. She holds titles from PSO, Dance Filthy USA, and most recently won First Overall at Eden Pole Competition in London. Natalya is a force of nature in the industry as the creator of Nightshade Designs, Nocturnelle Pole Show @nocturnellepoleshow , and now Studio Nightshade @studio.nightshade in Tampa, FL. With a mission to put the Dance back in Pole Dance, she focuses on low flow, embodied movement, and unapologetic authenticity. As an instructor, Natalya uniquely combines her deep passion for exacting technique, attention to detail, minimalism in movement, and the spaciousness of freestyle to help her students become the best dancers they can be in body, mind, and spirit.
Meet: Valerie @valeriemichellenied Valerie has been performing since 2010 and practicing aerial arts since 2011. Her achievements in the aerial world include performing as a finalist for the 2015 US Aerial Championships, traveling across North America with the Life in Color music festival, flying above water and beluga whales in “Azul”, performing over 40ft in the air for the “Singing Trees Christmas Spectacular”, and frequently performing for corporate and private events. She has also performed at several theme parks and dinner shows nationwide as an aerialist, stilt walker, and actress. More recently, Valerie has globally worked as an Aerial Trainer and Installer onboard various cruise lines for several years. When she is not travelling, she is based in Orlando as an instructor and local performer. She is most driven to aerial fabric, but she is well versed in several different aerial apparatuses. Her information can be located here:
Meet: Serpentine Fitness Studio @serpentinestudiosllc Group Performance Serpentine Fitness Studio is thrilled to perform at the Butterfly Effect Showcase, bringing the grace and strength of aerial artistry to life. With over 30 years of combined experience in pole and aerial arts, our team is fueled by a deep passion for performing, teaching, and sharing the magic of aerial movement with others. At Serpentine, we believe in empowering individuals to shed their skin and transform, empowering them both on and off the apparatus through creative expression and fearless fun.
Meet: Jackie @bdazzled2202 Jackie began her journey with aerial silks in 2019 and has been based at Orlando Aerial Arts ever since. She has performed regularly in their showcase for the past three years and joined their preprofessional group, Suspended Artistry. Jackie is inspired by the combination of beauty and strength in aerial arts and strives to create performances that allow audiences to feel connected and involved in the experience. With a passion for pushing boundaries, she dreams of performing regularly in diverse settings and sharing the art of aerial movement with a wider audience.
Meet: Eevee Nox @eevee.nox A Good Catholic Girl Turned Heretic Hoe, Eevee Nox (@eevee.nox) is the Sweetest Skank this side of Sandusky! A master of all four elements, she’s an aerial artist, underwater mermaid, fire eater, and a participant of many earthly shenanigans. She’s a Nudie Nubies Nationwide Semi-Finalist, Producer of Rhinestone Militia Productions (@rhinestone.militia.prod) and Floating Heart Circus Arts (@floating.heart.circus.arts) and a Pole, Aerial, and Burlesque instructor both in Ormond Beach and virtually!
Meet: The Flow Lab (Group Performance) @theflowlabstudio "The Flow Lab is an intimate and private dance studio dedicated to fostering creativity, exploration, and personal growth. Since opening our doors in 2022, we have proudly participated in community events, including Space Coast Pride and Breast Cancer fundraisers, using our platform to uplift and support those around us. Flow Lab provides a welcoming and inclusive space for dancers of all levels to experiment, express, and practice various dance styles, including pole dance, while connecting with others. We celebrate and embrace the diversity of our community, honoring all racial, cultural, and national identities, as well as sexual orientations, gender identities, expressions, and religious beliefs. As we look to the future, we remain committed to strengthening our community ties and supporting causes that inspire connection, growth, and compassion." - The Flow Lab