Meet our Instructors
Danni
Annalie
Lisa
Charlie
Kayla
Danni Evans – Owner & Instructor
With over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, Danni brings a wealth of knowledge, energy, and passion to High Aerial Studio. Educated in Sport & Exercise Science (BSc Hons), she has explored a wide range of fitness disciplines over the years but truly found her calling in Aerial Yoga and Pole Dancing in the studio and strength and conditioning movement-based training outside of it.
In early 2014, Danni became a 1 Star Instructor Trainer for AntiGravity® Fitness, and has since trained in a variety of their specialised programs – from Fundamentals of Fitness and Yoga to Restorative and AirBarre. She also holds qualifications in XPert Pole Fitness Levels 1–4, and has recently completed Pole Heels training, further deepening her expertise in flow and choreography. She also holds an Aerial Hoop qualification – but does not instruct this discipline.
Danni specialises in teaching beginners, flow-based movement, and choreography classes, helping students build confidence, body awareness, and creativity from the ground up. Her approach is supportive, encouraging, and grounded in deep technical understanding – making her an ideal guide for anyone starting or continuing their aerial journey.
Outside the studio, Danni keeps busy with weight training, personal coaching, and the ongoing development of the Flight Online Academy – a growing online training platform offering challenges, programs, and app-based coaching to help students build strength at home, even without access to poles, hoops, or hammocks. She also plays a role in the assessment of Fitness Instructor & Pilates qualifications, helping ensure the next generation of trainers are just as passionate and professional as she is.
Danni is committed to helping every student become stronger, more confident, and truly proud of what their body can achieve – both in the air and on the ground.
Annalie Gilliver – Instructor
With a background in dance and movement, Annalie brings grace, strength, and a healthy dose of humour to everything she teaches. A fully qualified AntiGravity® instructor in Fitness, Yoga, and AirBarre, she has been part of the High Aerial Studio team since we opened in 2014, and continues to light up our Tuesday evening classes with her infectious energy.
Annalie leads two Aerial Fitness sessions each week, including two monthly Restorative Aerial Yoga class, combining mindful movement with the powerful benefits of suspension. Her classes are known for being both challenging and uplifting – expect to feel your core working hard while also sharing a laugh or two as you flip upside down. Her natural wit and warm teaching style create a relaxed, encouraging environment where students can truly enjoy their movement.
Beyond the studio, Annalie runs her own fitness platform, FitnessflowUK, where she offers Pilates, Yoga, and Conditioning classes both in-person (across Ellesmere and Oswestry) and online. Her focus is on functional movement, body awareness, and flowing strength, making her an invaluable guide for anyone looking to build a strong, flexible foundation for aerial work – or simply move better in daily life.
Whether you’re stepping into a hammock for the first time or deepening your practice, Annalie’s classes will leave you feeling stronger, more centred, and smiling from ear to ear.
Lisa Haynes – Instructor
Slightly crazy, seriously energetic, and our resident pole ninja – Lisa is an absolute powerhouse of the High Aerial Studio family, and she’s been lighting up the room ever since she joined us in 2020. With a background as an electronic dance podium performer across the Midlands, Lisa brings a bold mix of performance flair, athleticism, and infectious enthusiasm to everything she teaches.
Lisa leads our mixed ability Pole Fitness classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as two of the Aerial Hoop sessions on Thursdays. Known for her dynamic style and next-level strength, she’s especially passionate about working with higher-level polers, helping them push boundaries, explore spinny pole technique, and develop their own unique movement style.
Despite only starting her hoop journey in late 2021, Lisa has advanced quickly and now holds an XPert Aerial Hoop Level 1 & 2 qualification, alongside her XPert Pole Fitness Levels 1–4. She’s a dedicated aerialist who thrives on challenging herself – and her students – to go further, fly higher, and embrace their potential. Currently completing the additional qualification in Spinning Pole by Xpert.
Whether you’re in a group class or a 1:1 training session, Lisa’s superpower is making you feel like the best version of yourself. She’ll cheer you on, lift you up, and make sure you leave every session feeling stronger, more capable, and totally empowered.
Charlie Gunner – Instructor
Sexy, sassy, sensual, and just a little bit bottom-obsessed – Charlie is now a fully qualified instructor and has been teaching with us for some time, leading our Wednesday night and Friday morning Beginner/Improver Pole classes.
A long-standing member of the High community, Charlie brings warmth, confidence, and her signature touch of sass to everything she does on the studio floor. Many of you will already know her from class, where her supportive approach, calm encouragement, and genuine love for movement are always clear.
Charlie’s teaching is rooted in helping people feel comfortable, confident, and connected to their bodies. Her style blends choreography and heels flow with a focus on feeling good, exploring movement without judgement, and building confidence from the inside out.
In addition to her XPert Pole Level 1 & 2 qualification, Charlie has also completed a certification in Flexibility Training with Spin City, strengthening her understanding of safe progression, body mechanics, and helping students improve range, flow, and movement quality.
We’re thrilled to have Charlie teaching with us and guiding dancers as they grow in strength, confidence, and style.
Outside the studio, Charlie is animal-obsessed, a lover of true crime and all things spooky, and a big fan of creating a welcoming vibe wherever she goes. Her mission? To help every student fall in love with pole, fall in love with movement – and maybe even fall a little in love with themselves along the way.
Kayla McInnes – Instructor
Playful, passionate, and always ready to hang upside down, Kayla joined the High Aerial Studio team in October 2023 and has since become a valued part of our teaching community. With a genuine love for aerial movement and a thoughtful, supportive approach to coaching, she now leads our Beginners & Mixed Level Aerial Hoop classes, Beginners Pole, Aerial Hammocks and has reintroduced our children’s aerial sessions to the studio.
Kayla began her aerial journey in 2021, starting with pole during lockdown before discovering aerial hoop – a discipline that quickly became her favourite. Since then, she has performed in several showcases and even stepped into competition performance, continually pushing her skills and understanding of the art form.
Kayla is now a qualified Pole Instructor with Spin City, an XPERT-certified Children’s Aerial & Pole Instructor, and holds additional teaching certifications in Aerial Hammocks and Aerial Hoop through Spin City. Her training allows her to deliver structured, safe, and thoughtful progression for both adults and children, helping students build strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies.
Her goal as an instructor is simple: to help people realise what they are capable of while learning new skills in a positive, welcoming environment. Whether she’s guiding a child through a first spin or helping an adult explore a new pose, Kayla brings patience, encouragement, and a genuine passion for movement to every class.
Outside the studio, Kayla enjoys exploring a wide range of aerial disciplines, including flying pole, silks, lollipop, and hammock. When she isn’t training, you’ll likely find her at the gym, hiking in the countryside, or with her head in a good book – she’s a dedicated reader and never without a story on the go.
