OUR STORY
OUR.vision
Owner & Artistic Director Michelle Nicolson Bolong
"My phenomenal fly team and I share a common vision. A vision of a world where expression of the arts are shared, diverse cultures are celebrated, dreaming big is essential, possibilities are endless, and where learning to fly can be safe and fun! We understand that we may not be able to always protect our students from the world outside of our studio, but we can start by building a safe creative space within our four walls. Aerial arts is a spectacular art form and more importantly, it's a powerful way to ignite our students with self esteem, respect, courage, and LOVE. I truly believe that if we nurture and empower our students, they will continue to spread this message of strength and mindfulness and will inevitably create a better world for all."
Fly Studios Purpose For Existing:
To Teach Every One Of Our Students How To Be Courageous & Fly Towards Their Dreams!
Fly Studios Big Five Commitment:
To Our Students :
We Empower You!
To Our Parents & Families:
We Hear You!
To Our Staff:
We Support You!
To Our Community:
We Serve You!
To Our World:
We Respect You!
OUR.method
OUR.Space
Currently located in Redondo Beach, CA
OUR.team
Natasha Acosta,
Party Manager
Natasha is all about rockin' life into our Fly parties making sure the whole crowd is having a great time. Her other favourite part of Fly is show season where she will be in the air and in her head creating performances for our Kidz' annual Fly Academy productions. In 2018 she debuted as a director and creative showrunner at Fly Studios bringing to the stage the vision of an aerial spectacle entitled, “The Spell Bind”. Starting her aerial arts journey with us in 2015, she had before then a background in various dance genres like hip-hop, contemporary, jazz-funk, some tricking and cheer during her time in university (and beyond), fueling her dedication to continuously build, share and grow in her craft. From the Philippines, Natasha moved to California with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communications from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila which opened doors to most of her performance, theater and production experience. When she isn’t popping into dance classes around L.A. or flying with us at the studio, you can bet she’s still moving around non-stop with her own growing toddler that for sure adds to all the fun of exploring new things, sights, food and feats!
Michelle Bolong, Owner & Artistic Director
Michelle was raised as a South Bay native having started her Martial Art training in Taekwondo at the age of nine. In her later teens, she decided to expand her movement knowledge with technical dance. She later toured internationally with companies: Velocity Circus, Vortex Collective, and Los Angeles based dance theater company Diavolo. Soon after, Cirque Du Soleil recruited Michelle to join in their new production of the Beatles show called LOVE as part of the creative team, dancer, and aerial dancer. Michelle's other passion is being a creative director for live performing shows. Her credits include having directed shows for artists Kesha, OHM, and Billy Idol. Her 20 years of experience of being a movement artist including being a gold medal winner in the state championships in Taekwondo, a certified pilates instructor, a professional dancer, a performer, an entrepreneur, and a mother of twins...all gives her the momentum to continue to build her vision of a unique aerial arts center that specializes in children and generating something truly new and exciting to the South Bay area and beyond.
Bri Price,
Fly Instructor
Bri is a graduate of the Theater Arts department at Cal State Long Beach and has also worked with children of many ages and abilities for over 10 years. She believes that both backgrounds inform one another and help her excel in both. In her spare time, she enjoys acting and teaching herself circus arts such as juggling, poi spinning, and hoop. As a performer with physical theater experience, including clowning, she expresses herself best through exploration of movement and she is excited to be able to incorporate Aerial Arts into her repertoire. Aside from performance, she enjoys writing and contributes regularly to an online zine.
Lita Gratrix,
Head Fly Coach
Lita Gratrix began training in Aerial Arts after she moved to the Los Angeles area from Seattle in 2005. She is very grateful to have trained under the wing of internationally recognized aerial teachers, including Maximilliano Torandrell, Tania Peirce, Sagiv Ben-Binyamin, and Michael Lipiari. Lita has also performed on the Tissu (fabric), Hoop, Rope, and her newest creative endeavor: the Chain. Lita began teaching in 2007 and was welcomed into the Fly family in 2011 and now has a leading role in the continuous evolvement of the Fly Studios academy program.
Ramon Moore,
Head Fly Coach
( Coming Soon! )
Meli Padilla,
Fly Party Team
Meli was first introduced to aerial silks at UC Santa Barbara where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in environmental studies and zoology. When she isn't working, she enjoys volunteering her time at a wildlife rescue and as an elementary teacher's aid. She also enjoys playing volleyball, skating, rock climbing, being outdoors, and furthering her aerial training at the studio!