This is a review for Kerry Wee's aerial class @JJ's. I mentioned Kerry Wee is some of my other aerial reviews, so for completeness, I feel like I should review her program too.
Kerry has a small program compared to other aerial schools. Which I guess is both good and bad. I feel she is different than other another aerial instructors I've met though. How so? In the first class you take, when you read her class policy and sign the waiver, I remember this section where she discusses that in her classes, she directs students on what to do, versus relying on student initiation. She also makes a point of discussing repetition and how in ballet you do 1000s of tendus. The way she approaches teaching comes from a very dance instructor mindset: I am the teacher and I take ownership for my students and I am responsible for their progress. I know for the dancing world, this is a very obvious and commonplace. But I feel very few aerial studios in Los Angeles actually do this: many aerial studios treat clients as customers versus students (if that makes sense) and ask them what they feel or don't feel like doing, or they want to be treated like an instructor, but don't actually take responsibility for their students' progress (or lack of it). I feel like that is the best way to describe Kerry's aerial program: she has a training philosophy that she executes well and gets student results. Second, she has a strong focus on conditioning, more than any other aerial class I've taken.
How does this program compare to other aerial schools?
- I feel the focus on conditioning makes her program similar to Cirque School LA, except that it is a smaller class size and silks-oriented. In terms of having structure and curriculum, her program is similar to Aerial Physique.
- I remember one day at Aerial Classroom, I randomly decided I wanted to learn a double star drop, and they decided to teach it me and let me do it. I feel like this is something that Kerry would never really allow... she is more conservative and risk-adverse and really emphasizes fundamentals before you can go experimenting.
Pros:
- This class is great for actually learning aerial and getting a really strong foundation (versus just getting a taste of aerial and learning a hodgepodge of this and that). She's a solid teacher and she cares about her students (in an almost tiger mom way sometimes...) and I think that is really important and very valuable.
- I think the people that would be most happy here and flourish, would be more serious/dedicated rec/professional students.
- I really like the structure and emphasis on conditioning, so this program really works for my preferences. And I feel like everything that I felt was lacking in other aerial programs (structure, commitment to student progress, consistency, a roadmap) was addressed at Kerry's program.
- Her prices are very reasonable.
- student/silks ratio: ~8 students to 4 silks
Cons:
- I ultimately decided to not come here anymore because of long-term scheduling conflicts. I know she also teaches at Womack though.
- Kerry also made a point to say that not every aerial student would be happy with her program. I agree. I think some people might be less happy here if they want to learn new things and drops quickly, or get strong through new tricks versus strict conditioning (and personally I think that's okay. People do aerial for different reasons, so they should pick the program that best fits their needs). read more