Faculty
Maya Shoup, known as Illusionary Arts on stage, has been heavily involved in the movement community since moving to colorado in 2017. Shortly after discovering a passion for poi and fire spinning, she began doing local LED performances at small venues around Denver and Fort Collins. Sharing her new-found love of flow with others sparked even more inspiration within herself to grow as a prop dancer. To enhance her ground performances, Maya is presently training belly dance and ballet fusion, setting her style apart from other flow artists. Her multi-prop fire skill set includes fans, poi, staves, dragon staff, fire torch palms, fire belt, double sword, and fire eating.
After falling in love with the physical and mental challenge of pole dancing, Maya shifted her focus to cross-training flow and pole. A few years down the line, aerial arts captured her heart as well; thanks to years of pole dancing, she was able to quickly absorb the foundation of aerial hoop and grow into the coach she is today. Now she is an instructor in advanced lyra and intermediate pole at Denver Circus Center, as well as an intermediate pole coach at Catwoman Academy in Boulder, CO. Through teaching large classes and 1 on 1 privates, Maya shares her passion and inspiration with aspiring students from all corners of the country. Her aerial skill set includes lyra (specialty), straps (specialty), sling / silks, flying pole (specialty), trapeze, rope, and chain sling.
Fluidity in movement, a story in motion, poetry beyond paper – those are the driving forces behind Maya’s creativity. She strives to hold that same space for others to exist, learn, and grow in as well.
