Sonja Schulz
Sonja Schulz is a professional dancer and aerialist in the Kansas City area. Originally from Elk Grove Village, IL, Sonja grew up with extensive training in gymnastics, dance, and acting through studios, intensives, and her high school's fine arts programs. She went on to study at the University of Iowa from 2015 to 2019 where she earned her BFA in Dance, BA in Economics, and 200-Hr Yoga Teaching Certification. Her aerial training began in 2015 as well while training and taking classes at Aerial Dance Chicago. Performing, teaching, and training in dance and aerial have become significant parts of Sonja's life and identity and she is so grateful to continue in these fields.
After moving to Kansas City in 2019, Sonja began teaching at local studios and performing with Kansas City Dance Collective, KC Contemporary Dance, Quixotic, Westport Center for the Arts, and other artists in the area including Suzanne Ryan Strati and Katarina Fitzpatrick. So far, Sonja has additionally obtained her Barre Certification through American Barre Technique, NASM Personal Training Certification, and Aerial Physique Teaching Certification. Sonja has continued to work with people of all ages in dance, yoga, aerial, and fitness.
Sonja joined the training company of Circus Scorpius in June of 2022 and transitioned into the professional company in October 2022. She is extremely grateful to be part of this company and be surrounded by so many amazing fellow aerialists. Alongside her training at Aerial Dance Chicago and attending the 2022 Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival, Sonja has trained in static and duo trapeze with Kelsey Aicher, silks and sling with Samantha Jo Davis, flexibility and lyra with Elena Sherman, and with several other circus artists in the United States. While at ADF, Sonja had the privilege of training in dance trapeze with Megan Cattau, lyra with Gena Marie, silks with Shannon McKenna, and handstands with Cosmo Dudley. In August 2022, Sonja also had the opportunity to attend and train in wall dancing/vertical dance at the BANDALOOP Int./Adv. Summer Intensive. She has been fortunate enough to bring this back to Kansas City with the help of Kelsey Aicher and Elena Sherman creating a wall dancing space at Skyloft Center for Movement.
Sonja really values creating and being part of performances that tell a story or touch on emotional or meaningful topics. She loves exploring with movement and different aerial apparatuses and continuing to learn and train. Outside of her dancing and aerial life, she also enjoys running, traveling, and being with her family and friends.
Disciplines: Dance, Aerial, Partner Acrobatics, Flow Arts, Character
