Careers at the Dragonfly Aerial Company

We believe aerial arts should be empowering, inclusive, and inspiring for students of all ages and abilities. Our team is made up of passionate coaches who are dedicated to safety, creativity, and helping students grow both in the air and on the ground.

If you love aerial arts and want to make a meaningful impact in a supportive community, we’d love to hear from you.

Senior / Head Aerial Coach

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Position Type: Contract or Salaried Position Available
Reports To: Studio Director / Owner

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior / Head Aerial Coach to lead our aerial program and support the growth of both students and instructors.

This role is ideal for a skilled aerialist with strong teaching experience who enjoys mentoring instructors, developing curriculum, and maintaining a safe, inspiring training environment.

Depending on experience and availability, this role may be offered as either a contract coaching position or a salaried leadership role within the studio.

Key Responsibilities

Coaching & Instruction

  • Teach aerial classes across multiple apparatus including fabric, straps, sling, lyra, trapeze, and other aerial disciplines
  • Provide safe, progressive instruction for beginner through advanced students with a focus on our advanced students
  • Develop structured lesson plans and skill progressions
  • Ensure proper spotting, safety procedures, and equipment use at all times
  • Provide constructive feedback and encouragement to students

Program Leadership

  • Help lead the development and structure of the aerial program
  • Assist in designing curriculum for different class levels and training pathways
  • Support planning of showcases, performances, and studio events
  • Maintain high standards of safety, technique, and professionalism

Team Leadership

  • Mentor and support assistant and junior coaches
  • Assist in onboarding and training new instructors
  • Provide guidance and feedback to coaching staff
  • Foster a collaborative, supportive coaching culture

Student Experience

  • Build strong relationships with students and families
  • Support student progression and goal setting
  • Help cultivate an inclusive and positive studio environment

Qualifications

  • 5+ years experience teaching advanced aerial disciplines
  • Strong proficiency in at least one major apparatus (silks, lyra, hammock, trapeze, etc.)
  • Experience teaching multiple skill levels
  • Strong understanding of aerial safety and spotting
  • Understanding of Anatomy and Physiology as it pertains to aerial athletics
  • Ability to lead classes independently and confidently
  • Strong communication and leadership skills
  • CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience mentoring or supervising other instructors
  • Curriculum development experience
  • Performance or competition background
  • Familiarity with rigging safety and equipment management
  • Experience working with youth and adult students

  Positions Available:

Contract Coach

Ideal for experienced coaches who prefer a flexible schedule or touring professionals that are looking for filler contracts between professional commercial touring contracts.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Teaching scheduled classes
  • Private lessons or workshops
  • Assisting with student performances and events

Compensation is provided on a per-class basis or a flat rate for a contracted period of time.

Salaried Head Coach

Ideal for a leader who wants to play a larger role in the studio’s growth and program development.

Additional responsibilities may include:

  • Competitive guest artist compensation
  • Flexible scheduling based on touring and performance calendars
  • Opportunities to lead high-level workshops and masterclasses
  • Collaboration with a dedicated and motivated aerial community

Potential for return engagements and artist residencies

Compensation is provided as a salary with leadership responsibilities, based on experience and scope of role.

Benefits & Coverage

Dragonfly provides ALL Contractors and Employees with Workmans Compensation Insurance as well as Teaching Liability Coverage (including Errors and Omissions), while they are working on site teaching DAC students or working a DAC event. Contractors are required to provide their own curriculums. Dragonfly staff must work a regular schedule of 15 hours a week or more, and include Dragonfly proprietary curriculums as a foundation to their teaching to qualify for employee status. Employees are also provided Workmans Compensation, FMLI, Teaching insurances and paid time off.

Having an option of how you run your aerial career provides our professional artists flexibility in the marketplace, career satisfaction and makes Dragonfly a desirable employer. These options also allow DAC to provide our students a fresh rotation of TOP Professional touring talent who may only have shorter off-season windows to share their art. This rotation compliments our high level dedicated staff with a fresh influence of skills.

 

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about aerial arts and excited to help lead a growing program, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send the following to Info@dragonflyaerialco.com.

  • Resume
  • Short introduction about your coaching experience

 

Contracted Professional Artists

Guest Artist Instructors & Workshop Leaders

We are seeking professional working aerial artists and circus performers for short-term teaching contracts to work with our advanced through professional students.

These opportunities are ideal for artists currently working in the industry who are interested in sharing professional-level technique, creative process, and performance insight through masterclasses, specialty intensives, and short-term coaching engagements.

Our goal is to provide students with direct exposure to working professionals and contemporary aerial practices.

Engagement Opportunities

Guest artists may be contracted for:

  • Advanced aerial technique classes
  • Pre-professional – professional student training sessions
  • Specialty apparatus workshops
  • Choreography and performance development intensives
  • Artist talks or professional development sessions
  • Competitive Team routine feedback
  • Performance Company choreography and artistic direction

Contracts typically range from single workshops to short teaching residencies depending on availability and scheduling.

Ideal Candidates

We are looking for actively working artists with substantial professional experience in the circus or commercial performance industry.

Qualified applicants should meet at least one of the following:

  • Professional performance contracts with cruise lines or international resorts
  • Work with reputable contemporary circus companies
  • Professional commercial performance work through talent or performance agencies
  • Graduate of a recognized professional circus training program
  • Elevate Pro Aerial participants

Examples include experience with companies such as:

  • Cirque du Soleil
  • The 7 Fingers
  • Cirque Éloize

Comparable professional companies, touring productions, and accredited circus schools are equally welcome.

Preferred Experience

  • Strong technical background in aerial arts or circus disciplines
  • Previous teaching or workshop instruction experience
  • Ability to work with advanced recreational or pre-professional students
  • Clear communication and safe coaching practices
  • Interest in mentoring the next generation of aerial artists

What We Offer

  • Competitive guest artist compensation
  • Flexible scheduling based on touring and performance calendars
  • Opportunities to lead high-level workshops and masterclasses
  • Collaboration with a dedicated and motivated aerial community
  • Potential for return engagements and artist residencies

Benefits & Coverage

Dragonfly provides ALL Contractors and Employees with Workmans Compensation Insurance as well as Teaching Liability Coverage (including Errors and Omissions), while they are working on site teaching DAC students or working a DAC event. Contractors are required to provide their own curriculums. Dragonfly staff must work a regular schedule of 15 hours a week or more, and include Dragonfly proprietary curriculums as a foundation to their teaching to qualify for employee status. Employees are also provided Workmans Compensation, FMLI, Teaching insurances and paid time off.

Having an option of how you run your aerial career provides our professional artists flexibility in the marketplace, career satisfaction and makes Dragonfly a desirable employer. These options also allow DAC to provide our students a fresh rotation of TOP professional industry talent who usually only have a shorter off-season window to share their art between commercial contracts and are not interested in becoming an “employee” at a studio.  This rotation of industry professionals compliments our high level dedicated staff with their fresh influence of skills.

 

Apply or Inquire

If you are a professional aerialist or circus performer interested in teaching or leading workshops, we would love to connect.  Please email Info@dragonflyaerialco.com.

Please send:

  • Resume or professional performance CV
  • Apparatus specialties
  • Links to performance or demo footage
  • Teaching or workshop experience 
  • Availability or touring schedule