2025 Teacher Bios

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International partner acro teacher Debbie Collis (pictured: flyer) started taking gymnastics when she was a kid. Thanks to her training in her youth, she has the strength, balance, and poise to make partner acrobatics very beautiful. Debbie’s long straight legs and pointed toes are the envy of the acro world. Debbie loves the connection and flow she can find with a partner. She can forget about the whole world while flowing in complex acrobatic movements. Debbie has a talent for teaching. Students say that she is sweet and has a good eye for form. She loves practicing until she gets a move perfectly and loves to share this practice around the world by hosting workshops, teaching at festivals, and assisting in teacher trainings. Debbie has been practicing acro since 2012 and became a certified Acro Revolution Teacher in 2017.

Chris (pictured: flyer) has a passion for human movement. He began his acrobatic pursuit in gymnastics, first competing then coaching. Discovering partner acrobatics allowed him to apply this skillset in a creative and collaborative space with loving and trusted partners. This environment allowed him to truly thrive.

Chris is also a musician, a vocalist, a medical doctor, a dancer, a DJ, a public speaker, a community builder, and the list goes on. He draws from this multitude of experiences when teaching and performing.

Chris brings this excellent technical knowledge, his strong performance background, and his trademark joyous enthusiasm to his students. He has a wealth of knowledge on so many aspects of acro and is excited to share them with you.

Fun Fact: Chris loves to take little naps to recharge. He can fall asleep nearly anywhere.

Matt (pictured: base) first witnessed acroyoga at Burning Man. He had never seen anything remotely like it, and was captivated. After being astounded by the beauty of the art form, he was immediately hooked. Since then, he's pursued it as his primary passion, and practiced and trained all over the world. He loves sharing his passion for acro and dance lifts with those around him. He specializes in dance lifts and standing acrobatics, but loves it all.

Fun Fact: Matt is a commercial airline pilot. When he says he loves to base and fly, he means it :)

Rachel (pictured: flyer) loves building community through this dynamic practice of trust, communication and of trying new things. She teach beginner and intermediate classes and has a strong standing practice. She was fortunate to have found Acro over 15 years ago when the Portland Acro scene was in its infancy. She also teaches yoga and loves facilitating environments to help people slow down and connect with their bodies.

AcroMash, the dynamic duo from Portland OR, have been teaching together since 2019. Their classes are full of laughs, nerdiness, and an appreciation for the shared joy in our practice. Specializing in Icarian, whip-pops, and creative washing machines, they love to make acro approachable and relatable. They're excited for Acrolandia's third year, and looking forward to creating a unique festival experience. When not performing, teaching, or training, they can be found cooking big meals or relaxing with a good puzzle.

With a deep appreciation for the athleticism and potential risks of acrobatics cultivated over 10 years, Kaia Deroche serves as the festival medic. Backed by 11 years as a Registered Nurse and 2 years as a Nurse Practitioner, she provides skilled and informed medical support, bringing the worlds of performance and healthcare together for a safe and successful experience.