Ascend Aerial Arts

Ascend Aerial Arts offers aerial silks classes, aerial straps classes, aerial rope recreational classes, and handstands training. The program includes an Intro to Aerial Silks class, Beginner Aerial Silks Session Classes, aerial drop-in classes, pre-intermediate silks classes, intermediate level silks classes, and an Aerial Silks Program that covers beginner through advanced levels. Ascend Aerial Arts also offers private aerial silks parties, aerial placement assessments, Artletic Science Workshops, Paper Doll Militia Teacher Trainings & Workshops, and rigging fundamentals through Trapeze Arts Inc. and Night Owl Circus Arts.

• Ages: 12–18 years old
• Schedule: Session aerial classes run as a series over a specific period, typically a month

The Aerial Silks Program teaches essential skills, silks safety, the art of performing, silks technique, and theory, and aerial silks safety is described as the program’s top priority. Aerial silks and aerial straps classes are described as designed to build strength, flexibility, and confidence and are noted as suitable for students 12 and up with good overall health. One-day Intro to Aerial Silks classes are available with no experience necessary, and session enrollment keeps a student in the same weekly class.

Ascend Aerial Arts provides makeups for students currently enrolled in session classes when an absence form is submitted at least 48 hours before the class date and time. Students who purchase drop-ins may cancel up to 4 hours before class time to keep credit using the app or website. For aerial placement assessments, students ages 12 and up with at least 2 years of previous experience training with a professional instructor or studio may schedule an assessment, and video submissions are not accepted.

The leadership team includes Program Manager Tammy Shueh and multiple aerial silks and rope instructors: Camille Yabut, Claire Lewis, Colleen Richey, Connie Ng, Katerina Adamos-Jardine, Laura Cornwell, Tzvetelina Tzeneva, Anouck Iyer, and Susan Nery. Ascend Aerial Arts began its journey in March 2014, held its first full student showcase and scratch show in December 2014, and has produced at least one showcase annually since then, with a brief pause during pandemic-related studio closures and a return to showcases in 2023. The program states that it is a vibrant San Carlos community focused on aerial silks, aerial straps, and aerial rope recreational classes in a supportive environment and serves families in Belmont, San Mateo, Foster City, Redwood City, and San Carlos.

Ascend Aerial Arts partners with leaders and experts in their industry, including visiting guest instructors in aerial silks, aerial straps, aerial rope, handstands training, and circus physical therapy, to broaden their skill set and educate their community on changing techniques, essential foundations, and safety. They promote safety education for the aerial community and state that social media channels such as YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram are not appropriate mediums for learning aerial silks. They recommend never training alone, training only in a safe and prepared space with a minimum of 14 feet of height and 6 feet of width of unobstructed space in every direction with a crash mat, and they state not to hang aerial apparatus on trees ever.

Parent and student comments describe knowledgeable, talented, patient, and skilled instructors, a clean and well-kept building, and a location that is easy to access. Testimonials also describe aerial silks as fun, mention developing upper body and core strength, and note positive experiences with birthday silks classes with friends where the instructor was friendly, helpful, and focused on making the experience memorable.

Last updated August 15, 2026.