Katie Critzer, also known as Katie in the Sky, is the Co-Owner and Head Aerial Silks Coach at South Dakota Aerial & Arts and the Founder of the Dakota Aerial Championship in Sioux Falls. A lifelong gymnast turned aerialist, she began aerial training in 2017 and coaching in 2019. She completed instructor training through the Circus Arts Institute. Katie is passionate about making aerial arts fun and accessible to all ages and abilities. In 2020, she co-founded Sioux Falls’ first circus performance group, which was named Best New Business by 605 Magazine in 2021. She has performed at hundreds of events across the Midwest and has earned multiple awards.

Katie now judges for Aerialympics and USAAO, and serves on the United Circus Arts Network committee, helping set standards in aerial instruction. She was recognized as one of Sioux Falls’ 30 Under 30 in 2023 and completed the CoStarters program through Start Up Sioux Falls. Katie shares her technique tips and creative aerial pathways with over 25k followers on Instagram, where she continues to inspire the aerial community nationwide. She coaches workshops across the U.S., performs a wide range of disciplines including silks, hoop, trapeze, fire, and partner acrobatics, and loves helping beginners discover their passion while being a tough-but-kind cheerleader.