Meet our February 2023 Teacher Feature: Aerial instructor Jacob McKee and Pole instructor Jamilyn Helms! Whether you’re a regular in their classes, or have yet to take a class with them, we hope you get to know each of them a little better with our feature. And, last but not least, enjoy classes with them for $25 ALL MONTH LONG!
Take class with Jacob: use code BPJACOB
Take class with Jamilyn: use code BPJAMILYN
**PLEASE NOTE: instructor discount codes are only valid for classes with Jacob and Jamilyn. Using the codes for any other instructor will result in early cancellation or a $45 single class purchase. No exceptions.
MEET JACOB MCKEE
Which apparatus do you teach?
My primary apparatus is lyra (hoop) but I teach a plethora of different apparatuses: hammock, silks, dance trapeze, loops, and more!
What is your training and background in aerial dance?
I started training circus professionally in 2019 at The Muse ABCirque. I moved to Vegas to train more intensely in 2020 and lived there for about 8 months. Since then, I have traveled both nationally and internationally training with coaches who teach specific techniques to help broaden my knowledge.
How did you transition from student to teacher?
There really was no shift — I’m still a student and will always be one. After a couple of years of training, I was told I should give teaching a shot, and I’ve been doing so ever since!
Are there any teachers that impacted your aerial journey, and if so, what gift did they give you?
Marie-Michelle Faber will forever be the most important coach I have and still have to this day. The way she has shown and taught me to view any apparatus in theory has changed how I perform and create.
What makes your classes unique?
I really like to focus on the entire progression of skill. I break it down from the floor to the air. Whether it’s learning how to knee-hang from the beginning, or you’re in the more advanced stages and working on C-Shaping.
How do you motivate students when you walk into a class with low energy?
I chug an energy drink pre-workout. Healthy? Probably not! I don’t recommend.
How do you motivate yourself?
Training with other people is the best motivator for me. Everyone views things from different perspectives, and having more than one person create something really opens up new possibilities.
What’s your favorite playlist to jam to?
I’ve been on an early 2000s emo moment (although I never really left it!).
What is the best advice you can give to someone starting out in aerial dance?
Technique and foundation first. Then play. You don’t want to throw yourself into sequences/skills without understanding your body in the apparatus first.
What future projects are you working on?
Currently in the process of filming an act I’ve been working on for almost a year.
Follow Jacob on IG
MEET JAMILYN HELMS
Which apparatus do you teach?
Pole! I teach Intro through Level 2 and Spinny.
What is your training and background in pole dance?
I took my first class at Body & Pole in 2019 without much of a dance background and haven’t turned back!
How did you transition from student to teacher?
During lockdown I had a pole in my living room and 3 roommates. I really enjoyed teaching my roommates simple things that I knew and then decided I wanted to teach for real.
Are there any teachers that impacted your pole journey, and if so, what gift did they give you?
The classes I took at Body & Pole with Stella really stand out to me! I love all the static rotation in her classes and have adopted some of that technique for my own.
What makes your classes unique?
It’s super important to me that my students feel free to truly express themselves rather than copy what I’m doing exactly. If a movement feels unnatural to someone, I would deeply encourage them to explore their own pathways and find what works best for them.
How do you motivate students when you walk into a class with low energy?
Sometimes, in smaller classes it can feel a little low energy, and in those cases I might ask around to see what each student is currently working on/interested in to try to hit some material that really resonates with the group.
How do you motivate yourself?
I love getting to the studio an hour or so before my class and just use the room to try out some combos I saw online or experiment with ideas.
What’s your favorite playlist to jam to?
I’ve been jamming to a lot of Arctic Monkeys lately — you’ll probably hear some of their songs in my class playlists!
What is the best advice you can give to someone starting out in pole dance?
Take your time and try not to worry too much!
What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in class (as a student or a teacher)?
I’ve certainly fallen out of a layback a time or two in my life!
What future projects are you working on?
I’m working on developing a Spin 101 class! Students ask me about this all the time and I’m really excited to have something in the works for them!
Follow Jamilyn on IG!
