Aeriosa Dance Society

What Aeriosa Dance Society does

Aeriosa Dance Society is a Canadian not-for-profit society and registered charity founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Julia Taffe, specializing in vertical dance — performances executed on building facades, cliff faces, tree canopies, and theatre rigging using rope and harness systems combined with rock climbing and mountaineering safety protocols. The company's core products span three formats: Urban Site Work (performances on high-rises and public architecture such as Library Square, Taipei City Hall, and Cirque du Soleil HQ), Nature-based Site Work (tree-canopy performances at VanDusen and UBC Botanical Gardens and the annual Tofino Tree Festival), and Theatre-based Work (controlled-venue productions such as Salmon Cycle and Crossing Mountains & Seas with multimedia elements). Supporting offerings include introductory and advanced vertical dance workshops ($75-$240 per participant), the biennial Vancouver International Vertical Dance Summit (VIVDS), and professional development internships.

The organization generates revenue through a hybrid charitable model: donations collected via Canada Helps (with tax receipts), workshop and class fees, performance commissions for festivals and corporate events, and likely public-sector grants. Its go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, relying on free outdoor public performances to build awareness and fee-based workshops and commissions for earned income. The customer base spans general public audiences attending free performances, cultural institutions and festivals commissioning work, dance artists and climbers seeking training, Indigenous collaborators (Spakwus Slulem, Butterflies in Spirit, Git Hayetsk Dancers), and corporate/architectural clients. Operations are anchored in Vancouver (urban base on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories) and Tofino/Ucluelet (rural base on Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territories), with international touring and collaborations across the Vertical Dance Forum network spanning Canada, the United States, Taiwan, Croatia, and Europe.

Aeriosa's technical differentiation rests on a proprietary safety and rigging methodology developed over 20+ years and 100+ productions with zero major safety incidents, adhering to ACTSAFE, WorkSafeBC, IRATA, SPRAT, and ACMG standards. The team combines ACMG-certified guides (Taffe, Zacharias) with professional dancers trained at institutions including Simon Fraser University, Bolshoi Ballet School, Arts Umbrella, and Ballet BC. The company is also a co-founder of the Vertical Dance Forum (7 international member companies) and a 2012 recipient of the Canadian Dance Assembly Innovation Award.

Name

Aeriosa Dance Society

Legal name

Aeriosa Dance Society

Website

https://aeriosa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aeriosa Dance Society is a Vancouver-based Canadian registered charity that creates and tours vertical dance performances on building facades, cliff faces, tree canopies, and theatre rigging, serving general public audiences, cultural institutions, festivals, Indigenous collaborators, and corporate clients through free performances, workshops, and the biennial VIVDS summit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Youth/Student & Community Dance Recitals (MPAGADAI)

Keywords

• Vertical dance performances
• Site-specific choreography
• Aerial dance rigging
• Outdoor dance programming
• Dance professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: As a registered Canadian charity (established 2009), Aeriosa receives donations through Canada Helps platform. The organization provides tax receipts for donations and emphasizes community support for its milestone projects.
2. Workshop and Class Fees: Fee-based vertical dance workshops and classes offered to the public, including introductory series ($160-240), tree dance workshops ($75+), and advanced choreographic labs. Suitable for all levels with no previous experience required.
3. Performance Fees and Commissions: Fee-based performances for festivals, private events, corporate activations, and cultural events. Also generates revenue through commissioned works for specific venues and artistic residencies.
4. Professional Development Programs: Internship and mentorship programs for dance artists interested in vertical dance. Revenue generated through structured professional development offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aeriosa Dance Society is a not-for-profit registered charity that creates and delivers vertical dance performances on building facades, cliff faces, tree canopies, and theatre stages. The company packages these performances for cultural institutions, festivals, and free public audiences, and supplements them with fee-based vertical dance workshops (introductory through advanced levels), the biennial Vancouver International Vertical Dance Summit (VIVDS), and professional development/mentorship programs for dancers and technicians.

Product overview

Aeriosa Dance Society is a vertical dance company offering three core performance products: Urban Site Work (performances on buildings and architecture), Nature-based Site Work (performances in trees and outdoor landscapes), and Theatre-based Work (controlled productions with rigging systems). These are supported by educational offerings including Vertical Dance Workshops (introductory and advanced classes), the Vancouver International Vertical Dance Summit (VIVDS), and Professional Development Programs (internships and mentorships). The company also provides Online Events for remote engagement. All offerings revolve around vertical dance—the art of dancing while suspended on ropes and harnesses in unexpected vertical environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Urban Site Work Vertical dance performances that activate high-rises, historical buildings, and public architecture. Dancers perform on building facades, creating aerial formations that celebrate urban landmarks and engage public audiences at street level. Performed at venues including Taipei City Hall (Taiwan), Vancouver Library Square, and Toronto's L Tower.
• Nature-based Site Work Outdoor vertical dance performances in forests, botanical gardens, and coastal landscapes. Dancers perform in tree canopies using Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir trees as stages, often collaborating with live musicians. Includes the annual Birds Land nature-based performance at Tofino Botanical Gardens.
• Theatre-based Work Productions for controlled theatre environments using aerial rigging and counter-weight systems. Includes works like Dance on Earth in Air, Salmon Cycle, Second Nature, and Crossing Mountains & Seas with multimedia elements.
• Vertical Dance Workshops Educational programs including Intro to Vertical Dance series ($160–$240 per participant), Tree Dance workshops ($75+ per participant), and Choreographic Creation Lab. Uses rope and harness systems to teach vertical dance skills to beginners through advanced practitioners; classes held at Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver, with sessions scheduled in fall 2026.
• Vancouver International Vertical Dance Summit (VIVDS) Biennial vertical dance summit alternating between artist training/collaboration years and performance presentation years. Features international choreographers, professional development intensives, and public performances. The 2019 edition hosted 40+ dancers from around the world.
• Professional Development Programs Internship and mentorship programs for dancers and artists interested in vertical dance. Includes site-specific training, safety certification guidance, and creative development opportunities.
• Online Events Virtual programming and digital content for remote audiences, including online workshops and streamed performances.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 productions completed with zero major safety incidents
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Spakwus Slulem (Eagle Song Dancers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Squamish First Nation dance group led by Bob (S7aplek) Baker. Collaboration began 2009 as cultural advisor for 'Inspired by Place'. Since 2011, co-created and performed seven adaptations of 'Thunderbird' collaboration. Presents traditional Sea Going Canoe Family Songs and Dances alongside Aeriosa vertical dance at venues including Library Square, Canada Place, and Vancouver Convention Centre.
• Vertical Dance ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of seven vertical dance companies including Aeriosa (Canada), Kate Lawrence (Wales), Il Posto (Italy), Fidget Feet (Ireland), Histeria Nova (Croatia), Gravity & Levity (UK), and Retouramont (France). Founded in 2014, members gather to exchange knowledge, conduct research, and share best practices. Awarded EU Creative Europe funding for 2-year program. Aeriosa hosted VIVDS 2019.
• HCMA Architecture + DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTILT Curiosity Labs artist-in-residence partnership (2018/19). Julia Taffe explored activating underused urban sites in Vancouver as potential VIVDS venues. Included workshop presentations, artist talks, and collaborative brochure design. Both organizations share goal of fostering healthier, more imaginative communities through art and design.
• Orchid EnsemblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVancouver-based trio fusing Eastern and Western musical traditions. Collaborated on tree dancing at UBC Botanical Gardens, Tofino Botanical Gardens, and Stanley Park. Co-produced 'Crossing Mountains & Seas' (2019) interdisciplinary theatre show with Chimerik, fusing aerial dance, original music, and multimedia.
• Butterflies in SpiritcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous dance group founded 2012 by Lorelei Williams, consisting of MMIWG family members. Aeriosa providing training and incorporating vertical dance into their choreography. Developing 'Dance, Healing, & MMIWG' performance with Dr. Mique'l Dangeli of Git Hayetsk Dancers.
• Git Hayetsk DancerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthwest Coast First Nations dance group bonded by Sm'algyax-speaking ancestry. Co-artistic director Dr. Mique'l Dangeli is curator of 'Ancestralizing the Present' (2017) collaboration. Partnership for 'Dance, Healing, & MMIWG' project with Butterflies in Spirit.
• Jordan Nobles / Redshift MusickeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally acclaimed Canadian composer (Juno winner). Created original scores for multiple Aeriosa works including 'In Situ' (Cultural Olympiad), 'Being', 'Refugia', and 'Second Nature'. Artistic director of Redshift Music, dedicated to bringing living composers' music to public through innovative, site-specific performance.
• Chimerik 似不像 (Sammy Chien)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultimedia artist and arts collective. Collaborated with Aeriosa and Orchid Ensemble on 'Crossing Mountains & Seas' (2019), providing interactive multimedia projections. Also provided visual projection for 'Salmon Cycle' (2022) production.
• Histeria Nova (Marija Šćekić)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian vertical dance company founded by choreographer Marija Šćekić. Co-created 'The Shell' (2023) site-specific work at Paklenica Canyon for Biennale of New Movement. Aeriosa's first international co-production and 3-week tour.
• Landon Krentz / Artistic Sign Language AgencykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerASL performing artist and Deaf theatre artist from Calgary. Founder of Artistic Sign Language Agency. Collaborating on 'Flocking' research project exploring intersection of dance and Deaf culture. Goal to create shows bringing together D/deaf and non-deaf artists and audiences.
• Urban Jazz Dance Company (Mx. Antoine Hunter)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOakland, CA-based dance company led by Mx. Antoine Hunter. Collaboration on 'New Artists and Approaches in Vertical Dance | Volume II' (August 2025) at The Annex, Vancouver.
• Inside-Out TheatrekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary-based theatre company. Partner in 'New Artists and Approaches in Vertical Dance | Volume II' collaborative series.
• Vancouver City TheatresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'New Artists and Approaches in Vertical Dance | Volume II' collaborative series.
• Passemuraille TheatrekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre venue for Aeriosa's presentation of 'The Little Prince: A Physical Theatre Adaptation' (2025).
• VanDusen Botanical GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIVDS 2019 venue for tree grove performances. Long-time partner for tree canopy shows and artistic residencies.
• SFU Woodwards Cultural ProgramskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIVDS 2019 venue. Provided Atrium space for floating formation work and outdoor wall for performances.
• New WorkskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership established 2025 for dance creation and performance initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bandaloop: San Francisco-based vertical dance company that pioneered architectural dance on building exteriors worldwide. Directly comparable to Aeriosa's urban site work; founder Julia Taffe previously performed with Bandaloop, and they share the same niche discipline and international touring model.
• Retouramont: France-based vertical dance company and Vertical Dance Forum member. Comparable artistic discipline and use of urban and natural vertical surfaces; shares the small-company, international-festival model.
• Il Posto Vertical Dance: Italy-based vertical dance company and Vertical Dance Forum member. Directly comparable niche, methodologies (rope/harness on architecture), and international touring footprint.
• Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company: Ireland-based aerial and vertical dance company, fellow Vertical Dance Forum member with Aeriosa. Comparable in size, scope (aerial + site-specific work), and mission of expanding public access to aerial dance.
• Histeria Nova: Croatian vertical dance company founded by Marija Šćekić, fellow Vertical Dance Forum member and Aeriosa's first international co-production partner ("The Shell," 2023). Closely comparable on discipline, scale, and cross-border collaboration model.
• Gravity & Levity: UK-based aerial dance company and Vertical Dance Forum member. Closely comparable aerial/vertical discipline, company scale, and touring festival circuit.
• Kate Lawrence Vertical Dance: Wales-based vertical dance practitioner and Vertical Dance Forum member. Direct niche peer with comparable practice of dance on cliff faces and architecture in the UK/Ireland/Wales region.

Broad incumbents

• Cirque du Soleil: Montreal-based global circus and aerial entertainment giant. Aeriosa has performed at Cirque du Soleil's HQ as a commissioned venue; broadly comparable on aerial rigging discipline but at vastly different scale and commercial orientation.
• MOMIX: Connecticut-based dance company known for illusionistic and aerial performance work. Larger incumbent in the broader aerial dance category; comparable in use of rigging and unconventional performance environments but at significantly larger scale.
• Pilobolus: Connecticut-based dance company famous for unconventional formations and acrobatic performance. Broader incumbent comparable in its pioneering use of unconventional physical configurations and body rigging.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aeriosadance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/aeriosadancesociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/aeriosadance
• Instagraminstagram.com/aeriosadance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeriosa-dance-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aeriosa Dance Society