New Heights
The high-flying members of the aerial arts club combine acrobatic dance, gymnastics, and yoga moves—all while suspended up to 20 feet from the ground. In performances often accompanied by music, the aerialists twirl and dance with silks as they move through the air.
“It’s an outlet for self-expression, creativity, and the practice of mindfulness,” says club president Lucky Drucker ’26, who began performing at age 9. “It’s an extremely technical and challenging sport. It’s also incredibly empowering.”
Cece King ’23, who founded the club in 2021, started aerial arts at age 12 and later performed with a children’s circus. She and Drucker both studied with Cirque du Soleil performers.
About 30 members, most of them women, practice in workshops twice a week. “We love if anyone comes in with a dance or gymnastics background,” Drucker says, “but most have never done aerial before. They’re facing their fears.” For outdoor performances, the group hooks silks and hoops on adjustable metal riggings. Drucker hopes the club can someday perform in the center of campus. “Green Dartmouth silks on the Green is my dream,” she says.
Pictured club members: Julia Abbott ’26, Chloe Banino ’26, Marion Caldwell ’25, Olivia Colbert ’27, Lucky Drucker ’26, Ellie Huang ’27, Marcus Humplick ’27, Berre Kahraman ’25, Cece King ’23, Lucie Morton ’26, Fabiana Araujo Rincon ’26, and Annabella Wu ’26.
