CIRQUE VOLAER
PRE-PROFESSIONAL COMPANY
Our mission is to elevate the quality of aerial performance in San Antonio through rigorous training, collaborative leadership, and intentional performance creation, support the growth of The Aerium, and expand our student body by marketing to potential clients with vibrant performances. We prepare students for professional opportunities in the aerial and circus arts while cultivating artistic integrity, personal growth, and community connection. Our intention is to train members in the full spectrum of producing successful shows—from technical skill to creative and administrative leadership.
Aiyana
Hair & Make Up Captain
Andrea
Rigging Captain
Born and raised in San Antonio, Andrea has a deep connection to the land, people, and community. Andrea’s deep love for movement was ignited by her desire to honor her ancestors, heritage and culture. She began this journey as a “seasoned” adult through various dance traditions such as danza Azteca, Mexican folklorico, Spanish flamenco, and Raqs Sharqi (belly dance). She eventually found here way to aerial and although the journey has been challenging, it has also been personally rewarding. She is driven by her desire to represent her cultura in other areas of dance and performance and wishes to spread the joy and rewards of an aerial practice to more of the San Antonio community.
Caleb
Co-Director
Caleb Mize began their aerial journey in 2020, specializing in aerial silks. With a background in cheerleading, Caleb brings a strong foundation in teamwork and dynamic movement, fueling a particular passion for partner work and duo silks acts. Off the apparatus, Caleb is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with a focus on alternative and augmentative communication, blending creativity and connection both in the air and in their professional work.
Dara
Director / Co-owner
Dara Joelle Minkin is an aerial acrobat, movement educator, and creative entrepreneur living in San Antonio, Texas. With roots in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, she began her life in motion — first through dance and then through traversing the vertical world.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance from the University of New Mexico, and over the years she has built a rich foundation spanning many disciplines — from Martha Graham, Ballet, Gaga, to Stott Method Pilates and more.
Dara’s aerial identity crystallized as @aerial.design on Instagram, where she’s gained a dedicated community of tens of thousands of followers.
In 2020, she launched her aerial studio The Aerium, driven by a desire to build a space for immersive vertical arts learning.
Her work includes performing, teaching, coaching, and authoring. She authored Proximal: An Introduction to Aerial Theory, a book founded on her own teaching methodology in vertical arts.
She has taught and performed globally with institutions such as Aerial Horizon, Vertical Fix, Project in Motion, Radical Movement Factory, Womack & Bowman, Frequent Flyers, Agora Arts, and more.
When she’s not in the silks or guiding students through aerial theory, Dara pursues creative projects, adventures, and new directions for her artistic path.
Hillary
Coordinating Captain
Hillary Dreikorn discovered aerial arts in 2016 and began pursuing the craft seriously in 2021. She is an introvert with a deep fascination for the human condition, shaped by her interests in psychology, philosophy, and the natural sciences, and she brings this curiosity into her art. Hillary is drawn to the balance between creating something beautiful for the sake of awe and developing an understanding of the mechanics and meaning behind it. Inspired by the performing arts, from dance and theater to drag shows, she found the courage to step into the spotlight herself and explore storytelling through movement. Outside of aerial, Hillary spends her time reading, painting, baking, practicing fiber arts, and creating cosplay. For her, aerial is a way to merge intellectual curiosity with physical expression, transforming both strength and imagination into an experience that connects with others without words.
Libby
Performance Captain
Libby West is an Auction Specialist in Fine and Asian Art, as well as an Aerialist and Instructor dedicated to connecting people with beauty, movement, and meaning. With a background in visual art, she has cultivated a lifelong curiosity about aesthetics and the instinctual pull of beauty. Beginning her career in 2014 as an administrative assistant, Libby quickly advanced under the mentorship of Lark Mason. She is now recognized as a specialist, having researched and handled works ranging from Chinese earthenware dating to 3000 BCE to Qing Dynasty imperial silk robes.
While her art career satisfied her intellectual curiosity, Libby’s creative spirit found further expression in aerial arts, which she pursued at the encouragement of her husband, Bradford. Performing and teaching aerials allowed her to see herself as both athlete and artist. Today, she continues to merge these worlds through Cirque Volaer, The Aerium School of Acrobatics, and Lark Mason Associates.
Priscilla
Co-Director Captain
Priscilla is an aerial performer and instructor, practicing for six years, teaching for five, and performing for four. She's a Principle in the aerial troupe, Suspend Your Belief, performing on the aerial silks, hammock, and duo trapeze (flyer). She has spent several years teaching classes in a local gyms, as well as sponsoring and supporting local charity and business through the use of her skills at fundraising and private events. She is thrilled to be part of an amazing team of very impressive creatives, as well as proud to introduce new-comers to her passion for circus arts.
Ryn
Acting Captain
Ryn is a dance and aerial artist with a passion for movement and creativity. She started her training in ballet, tap, and jazz at the age of 7, and has since evolved her skills to include various styles of dance and aerial arts. By combining elements of dance, performance, and aerial arts, Ryn creates captivating performances to inspire and delight audiences. Through her teaching and artistic expression, she aims to connect with others and spread joy through her artistry, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience her work.
Selah
Warm-up Captain
Selah McKinney began with dance before discovering aerial, where she has trained for more than 12 years. Her passion lies in exploring creativity, strength, and expression through movement. While studying kinesiology, she continues to share her journey, celebrating the artistry of flight and the freedom found in pushing limits.
Tavo
Performance & Production Designer Captain
Tavo Alvarado is an aerial artist with over a decade of experience specializing in aerial silks, with additional performances on lyra and trapeze. In 2024, he made his professional debut in Volo and continues to bring his artistry to new heights through dynamic and expressive work in the air. Beyond the stage, Tavo is also an award-winning cake decorator and designer, known for creating large-scale Halloween installations and imaginative set pieces that enhance the productions he is part of. His unique blend of technical skill, creative vision, and theatrical flair makes him a distinctive voice in contemporary circus performance.