Meet our Team
The people who make Elevated Dreams soar
Autumn Lotus
Founder & Artistic Director
With over 30 years in movement arts, Autumn bridges the worlds of discipline and expression, moving from elite-level gymnastics to the aerial stage with a deep devotion to both technical mastery and creative exploration. Trained by world-class cirque performers and shaped by collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, The Lucent Dossier Experience, and Zen Arts, she carries forward the traditions of cirque with a modern, inclusive approach. Autumn teaches with reverence for the craft and with a belief in every student’s potential, inviting individuals of all levels to discover aerial as more than movement—an embodied practice of awareness, artistry, and connection to self.
Alison McCullah
Aerial Instructor
Alison began dancing at the age of three and has been passionate about movement ever since. Over a decade ago, she discovered aerial arts at Elevated Dreams and quickly fell in love with dancing in the air. Since then, she has performed at music festivals, casinos, film premieres, private venues, and community events. Alison holds a degree in Sociology and Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is currently studying to become a Dance/Movement Therapist. Her teaching style is playful, supportive, and grounded in strong technique, encouraging students to build confidence, curiosity, and body awareness while exploring movement both in the air and on the ground.
Cori Ochoa
Aerial Silk Instructor & Studio Web Designer
Cori began aerial in 2018 at age 35 and has been teaching since 2021, blending curiosity, courage, grace, and compassion in classes that help adults of all levels build strength, confidence, and body awareness through exploration and individual expression. With a foundation in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical—and performance experience with the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble—she brings both technical understanding and deep empathy to her teaching. Aerial reignited the spark she lost after her dance years, and she believes every adult is capable of growth, joy, and pride in the air, valuing the supportive, celebratory nature of the aerial community. She is also the designer of the studio’s website.
Carin Tahouri
Dance Instructor
Carin Noland Tahouri is a movement artist with roots in competitive gymnastics and extensive training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial dance, and acrobatics. She has performed internationally as a dancer and stilt artist with the troupe Stilt World and has appeared alongside artists including The Pussycat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Fergie. Her credits also include Glee, America’s Next Top Model, and multiple Grammy performances. Today, Carin leads her movement practice, Movement Canvas, creating spaces where music and movement support strength, creativity, and deeper connection.
Ellie Naftaly
Aerial Instructor
Ellie Naftaly discovered her love of movement at a young age and began training in aerial and dance at just five years old, quickly progressing into performance. A longtime member of the Elevated Dreams community since 2009, she has performed professionally for private events, venues, and festivals across the West Coast, including Santa Barbara stages such as Center Stage and The New Vic. Ellie also performs at community benefit events supporting organizations like Kids Helping Kids, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, and the Dream Foundation. As a coach, she works with students from age three through older adults and approaches teaching like a puzzle—focusing on each student’s strengths, learning style, and goals while creating a supportive and empowering environment.
Marina Ficker
Aerial Instructor
Marina has been part of the Elevated Dreams community since she was eight years old. After years of training and performing—including favorite performances with Kids Helping Kids and at Lucidity Festival—she completed the studio’s teacher training program and has now been teaching for about two and a half years. Marina is grateful for the Elevated Dreams community and especially enjoys teaching kids and sharing her love of aerial arts.
Mary Aleiner
Aerial Instructor
Mary Aleiner is a dancer and aerialist whose work blends classical dance training with contemporary aerial performance. She trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and attended intensives with Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Steps on Broadway, and State Street Ballet before discovering aerial arts in 2022. Mary now performs professionally in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, with appearances at the Arlington Theatre and Lobero Theatre as well as in dance films and live productions. She began teaching movement at age 13, completed her comprehensive Pilates certification through Balanced Pilates NYC at 15, and later trained as an aerial instructor under Autumn Lotus. Mary currently leads the aerial program at California Dance Theatre and brings her combined background in dance and aerial to her teaching.
Jupiter Jay
Aerial Instructor
JÜPITER is a Santa Barbara–based singer, songwriter, aerialist, and movement-driven performer who blends cinematic pop with dynamic stagecraft. She incorporates silks, lyra, and acrobatics into immersive live performances and has appeared at venues and festivals including the Lobero Theatre, The Viper Room, Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, Lucidity Festival, and Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration. As a teacher, JÜPITER encourages students to explore creativity, build confidence, and connect with their unique movement style both in the air and on the ground.