Student of the Month

June 2013
Alex Pokorny
What brought you to Bumbershoot Aerial Arts?
My family has a friend in San Francisco who studied Aerial Arts at the San Francisco Circus Center. When I began high school, I joined Facebook and kept seeing pictures of Brett doing Aerial Silks; then, I got hooked on youtube videos and googled a studio nearby. Appropriately of my generation, I suppose, my stumbling upon Bumbershoot was completely due to the internet, but there happened to be a small choreography class recital that weekend and seeing aerial arts live made me know I wanted to do it.
What is your favorite apparatus to work on?
Aerial Silks! I've trained almost exclusively on Fabrics, but I want to branch out this summer and next fall at ISU into Lyra and Trapeze.
What is your favorite thing about Bumbershoot?
Aerial Silks, Bumbershoot, and the people I've been lucky to encounter here have helped shape who I am. Bumbershoot was my weekly escape from being a teenage girl in high school. Most people didn't even know I was in high school. It was an incredible relief. Aerial Silks single-handedly gave me 95% of the self-confidence I have today. I've met people who have each offered me wisdom and friendship. I don't think I can pick a favorite thing; Bumbershoot has been like a second home and family for me for two years.
What is your favorite dessert?
Frozen yogurt and fruit from Orangeleaf, sitting in my car next to Lukas. I suppose I'm a little picky.
When you are having a tough day in class, what do you tell yourself?
"Everyone has 'tired' days." OR "You need to get your butt back to open aerial."
What is your favorite trick? Least favorite?
Least Favorite is easy: Salto. I HATE Salto.
Favorite trick is harder, but I love hip-key roll around.
If you could run away to a desert island with one person from Bumbershoot who would it be?
Meg. She's bouncy and fast enough to avoid me when I go crazy and try to eat her. I would feel bad if I ate any of my friends...
Do you have a favorite memory from class or performing?
Oh goodness, I tangled myself in the worst way, time-to-get-the-ladder-and-scissors way during showcase once.
Past Students of the Month