Owner/Director, Diana Bernier, began working as an instructor at Steppin’ Out Dance Academy in 2002 while attending the University of New Hampshire. A dual-major in Theater Dance and Psychology, Diana discovered her passion for aerial arts and began training on aerial silks and static trapeze as member of the UNH Dance Company. Her continued education and teacher certifications are done at The New England Center for Circus Arts, in Brattleboro, VT.  In 2006, Diana established a program teaching aerial dance to students at SODA and has been growing that program alongside Kim Mills ever since. In 2022, she founded Aerial Northeast.  Diana adores sharing her love for aerials with her students especially her two daughters, Avery and Eliza ♡

Kit (Kiersten) Gould is a recent graduate from the University of New Hampshire with her BA in Dance, a minor in Deaf Studies and a MA in Education. She has been dancing for 16 years, studying many styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and some fusions between multiple styles. She studied before college mostly at Gate City Ballet, while also being a junior apprentice for two years at Urbanity Dance in Boston and being a company member of Touché Taps. She grew up attending summer dance camps such as Bossov Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence, and Pantos Project. At UNH she was on the dance company studying under Gay Nardone, Marybeth Marino, Assaf Benchetrit and Susan Endrizzi. She also took part in the aerial program (silks, trapeze, lyra) at UNH and became a teaching assistant for the class during her senior year. Throughout her entire dancing career, she has substitute taught at a variety of dance studios and has choreographed many pieces. Choreography is a huge passion of hers and she looks forward to choreographing on future students! She is now currently teaching 3rd grade in Amherst, NH while still continuing her passion of dance by teaching it after school. She teaches jazz and contemporary at Rise Dance Studio as well as aerial dance at Aerial Northeast. 

Crystal is a Recreation Therapist that discovered aerial sling, fabric and circus arts as an adult. She enjoys any opportunity to advance her training, teaching experience, and share her passion and enthusiasm with others.  She completed an Introduction to Teaching Aerials training in 2021 through The New England Center for Circus Arts.  In addition to continued training at NECCA, Crystal participates in workshops at Esh Circus Arts.  Crystal is also a hula hoop enthusiast and has Instructor certifications in HoolaFit and HoopYogini. 

Megan Linehan was born into a family of dance and put into dance classes from the moment she could walk. Dancing at Steppin' Out Dance Academy  since 2002, her love of dance took off. Megan took classes for 16 years before graduating and moving on to continue her dance studies at the University of New Hampshire. Over her years at UNH, Megan developed a focus on aerial arts. In 2020 she became a certified aerial instructor through the Paper Doll Militia teacher training program. Now graduated from UNH with a degree in Dance, Megan is excited to share her knowledge and experience with her students and hopes to further her studies and training in dance and aerial arts.

Brianna (Bri) Gingue is a Health Coach with a degree in Exercise Science from the University of New Hampshire. As a former gymnast and dancer, she found her love for aerial with the Theatre and Dance program at UNH. As a sport, she appreciates its mental and physical benefits & challenges as well as a creative outlet.In her full time role, she’s enjoyed teaching health and wellness trainings including how to eat healthy and exercise safely and effectively. In addition to her aerial classroom experience, Bri is trained through Paper Doll Militia on Fabric and Lyra. 

Emilie Buchanan grew up in New Hampshire and is currently a student at the University of New Hampshire. She is studying Child Development through the Human Development and Family Studies major, and is also working towards getting minors in both Special Education and Dance. As part of the UNH Dance Company, she performs in many styles including lyrical, tap, jazz, and aerial as well as assistant teaching for UNH’s aerial classes. She grew up doing dance and aerial at Steppin’ Out Dance Academy and in the summer months, she teaches dance at SODA and aerial at Aerial Northeast. Emilie has had a passion for dance ever since she was little and feels fortunate to be able to continue doing what she loves through various performance opportunities and through teaching.

Micaela’s love for aerial arts began in November 2020 when she discovered the joy of flying through the air. She was captivated by the strength and creativity of aerial silks, as well as the exciting challenges of sling, trapeze, and lyra. With a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and years of experience as a behavior analyst, Micaela brings a deep understanding of how children learn and grow. She tailors her teaching to each child’s unique strengths, helping them build confidence, set goals, and celebrate their progress every step of the way. Before discovering aerial arts, Micaela spent over 12 years coaching tennis, where she developed a passion for guiding young athletes. Whether on the court or in the air, she creates a supportive and encouraging environment where kids can explore, take risks, and have fun while learning new skills.

Liz was drawn to circus through media as a kid, enthralled with the grace, strength and bravery of people who could dance high in the air. An athlete through her childhood and teen years, it wasn't until 2020 that she got to experience aerial firsthand. It was love at first lyra...and silks, sling, and trapeze! As she grew in strength and confidence, aerial became an outlet for self expression and personal challenge, creating a drive for deeper understanding that she holds to this day. In 2022 she was certified through Paper Doll Militia and began sharing her passion as a coach. Her background as a visual artist influences her coaching style, focusing on strong technical understanding and self awareness as springboards for creative pursuit. A firm believer that circus is for everyone, Liz brings an exploratory attitude to aerial, often challenging students to think and move in unique or unscripted ways. She continues to pursue additional certifications, retreats, and workshops in an effort to better serve her students, the community, and her own practice.

Ella has an interdisciplinary background in circus arts. She was a competitive dancer at Steppin’ Out Dance Academy for ten years. She was also part of a pre-professional tap dance company, #TapLifeToo, for two years, where she performed on stages in several major cities, including New York City. She found aerial arts at the age of five and continued to train through her teenage years at Aerial Northeast, the New England Center for Circus Arts, and École Nationale de Cirque. In high school, Ella discovered her love for teaching when she began assisting in aerial classes and classes for dancers with disabilities. After graduating from high school, she spent her summer teaching aerials at Aerial Northeast before attending the San Diego Circus Center's Pro-Track program from August 2024 through December 2025. While in this program, she focused on training and performing in aerial rope, juggling, and clowning, among other foundational circus disciplines. At SDCC, she also taught recreation classes and summer camps where she shared her knowledge of aerials, manipulation/juggling, and acro. Now moving back to New England to complete her degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, she is excited to continue training and teaching circus arts.