JESSICA JOHNSON

Jessica is a seasoned, award-winning aerial artist and the founder/director of Sora Aerial Arts. Jessica started Sora in order to develop and encourage community, and to create programs that intertwined fitness and athletic performance with artistry and creativity. Jessica runs the Youth Programming at Sora, creates Sora’s shows, and coaches classes in her main disciplines of Aerial Silks, Aerial Sling, Pole, Flexibility Training, Strength & Conditioning, Aerial Rope, and more.

Jessica performs and coaches both nationally and internationally, and works as an aerial teacher trainer with world-renowned aerial theater company, Paper Doll Militia under the direction of Rain Anya & Sarah Bebe Holmes. Jessica is a lifelong student and holds a long list of movement and aerial certifications and awards. As a choreographer and artist, Jessica is inspired by expressive art, energized by the process of creation, and driven to constantly generate new works with meaningful concepts and choreography.

Some of Jessica's accomplishments include: winning 1st place at the Motor City Pole Dance Competition in the Theatrics 'N Artistry Division in 2012 and being awarded “Best Theme”, being a featured judge/performer/instructor at the Aerial Expo in both 2014 and 2015, being featured on national television on the Today Show for partner acrobatics, being a featured aerialist at the 2018 Atlanta Aerial Arts Festival, being a featured aerialist and choreographer for P!nk’s 2019 “Beautiful Trauma” Tour Promotional Video, being a featured performer for Snoop Dogg’s Mount Westmore Tour, being chosen as a mentor & teacher trainer for Paper Doll Militia’s Aerial Arts Teacher Training Program, being head choreographer for the Circus Smirkus 2019 Big Top Tour for aerial silks and aerial pole, and continuously creating sold out aerial shows for our community since 2015.

Jessica enjoys teaching aerial arts to people from all cultures and from all walks of life. She loves creating aerial shows and fostering a true connection between performers and audiences. As a coach, her mission is to help students find and reach their highest potential, whether their goals are linked to fitness, health, athleticism, or artistry. She uses her technique training and boundless knowledge of this artform to make aerial movements approachable for all to succeed. Jessica loves sharing her passion for aerial acrobatics and fostering a supportive and uplifting environment at the studio for all students to thrive!