"Committed to excellence, compassionate training, and
uncommon courtesy in unforgettable community.”

Team

Athalia Whitworth

Athalia Whitworth comes alive when new students find compassion and inspiration in circus arts.  She is Cirque Appalachia's owner and instructs aerial silks classes and provides administrative support for all classes and programs.  

​Athalia stumbled upon the aerial arts in 2000 when she met modern dance professor and trapeze legacy Susan Murphy.  Her fitness journey has taken her through peaks and valleys of health, which has taught her patience, gratitude, and the art of blending grit with compassion for her body.​   

Athalia holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia, graduate studies in Spanish Translation from Georgia State, and a certificate of Financial Management from Cornell University.  Athalia  serves as a grant writer for Elam Ministries, a non-profit organization serving Persian-speakers, primarily in the Iran region. ​

Natalie Dale

Natalie loves building confidence and joy in her students through yoga, cirque, and outdoor movement. She is Cirque Appalachia's summer camp director and instructs children's aerial silks classes.  
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Natalie is a yoga teacher, dog mom, and nature lover. She was raised in the High Country, and graduated from App State. When not on her mat, she is spending time with her two sweet dogs.   

Jessie Nelsen, DPT, MTC, OCS

Jessie Nelsen is a compassionate movement instructor both professionally and recreationally. She digs deep to understand how the body moves and enjoys sharing those insights with others. Jessie instructs aerial hammock and assists with aerial silks and tumbling. 
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Jessie began training aerial silks in 2016 - adding a new dimension of movement to her decades of training ballet, modern dance and theatre -  and finally realizing her dreams of running off to join the circus.  As an instructor, she taught dance for over five years, primarily ballet, modern, jazz and improvisation to students ages 10-15, but also to students ranging from toddlers through college.  As a practicing physical therapist, she instructs individuals in movement every day.  

Jessie holds a doctorate in PT and is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist and manual therapist. She geeks out just a little on postural awareness and the dramatic changes that simple mindfulness can bring. 

Will Sheppard, E.d.D

Dr. Will Sheppard is originally from Texas and has lived in numerous states in the Midwest before North Carolina.  Will loves coaching all ages to motivate them in a safe, positive, motivating manner to master new skills! 
 
Will has an extensive background and over 20 years experience in Physical fitness, cheer, and tumbling.  He has worked for Universal Cheerleaders Association, cheer gyms, high schools, and dance studios - teaching fitness classes, stunting, tumbling and acro-dance skills.  Certifications held have been personal trainer, Level 5 stunting and tumbling.  
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Will also holds a BA in Physical Education, MA in Exercise Science and a Doctorate in Education Administration.  Will works at Appalachian State University as an Assistant Director in Housing and also teaches in the College of Education. 

Mission

Cirque Appalachia seeks to be training center with acrobatic flair in the mountains of North Carolina, fostering a love for lifelong learning and individual expression through movement.