More about us…. as INDIVIDUALS and our TEAM
Fareedah (Free) Aleem
Fareedah is no stranger to the stage, with her bigger than life smile and infectious energy, she has performed across the globe with the band Arrested Development, with local Atlanta burlesque troupe Dames a Flame, and earned her name as the original "Salt Shaker" in Yin Yang twin’s music video "Shake it Like a Saltshaker".
She is currently teaching across metro Atlanta, as principal aerial instructor at Challenge Aerial Arts, and sharing her time with Artist Asylum and Vertical Joe’s. When she is not touring with Arrested Development, she is available for private and group instruction in trapeze, fabrics and sling as well as her infamous twerking technique. She is also available for aerial, Go-Go, showgirl or free-style performance.
Follow her on Instagram: @imfareedah
Nicole (Nic) Mermans
Nicole has phenomenal leadership qualities and a keen eye for talent. She has been teaching, choreographing and performing aerial dance for over 20 years as founding member of Canopy studio in Athens, GA, with her mentor and original director Susan Murphy. In 2007, she co-founded D’AIR Aerial Dance in Atlanta, Georgia. The trapeze is her second home and her true love is for any kind of partner work. When she is not performing in the air, she is likely dancing Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Urban Kiz or Zouk, or training in Thai Partner Yoga Massage, Dance Acro and Counterbalancing, Aerial Yoga and Pilates.
Nicole is equally passionate about creating as she is about community building. Although D’AIR closed in 2019, Nicole has continued to share her love for aerial dance and partnering techniques with other youth serving organizations. On the side, she is a metalsmith and has her own jewelry line. She is also the Director of Strategy for a private foundation and currently serves on several nonprofit boards.
Follow her on Instagram: @nicole_mermans , @nmermans
Nicole Mermans Jewelry: www.nicolemermans.com
Our TEAM of Affiliates
ATLA
https://www.atlatakeova.com visual production, artist academy and studio rental
Iconic Studios
https://www.iconicstudios.com booking agent
Challenge Aerial
http://www.challengeaerialatlanta.com aerial dance studio
Okorie ‘OkCello’ Johnson
https://www.okcello.com cellist-songwriter