Meet Our Instructors
Expert Guidance. Inspiring Leadership.
At Avatar Aerial Sports, our instructors bring passion, professionalism, and world-class experience to every class. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned aerialist, our team is here to help you thrive.
Yelena Doroshenko – Founder & Head Instructor
Yelena Doroshenko is the founder and owner of Avatar Sports Aerial Arts Studio. With over 20 years of international experience in aerial arts, circus performance, and acrobatics, she brings both artistry and expertise to the heart of the studio. A former professional performer with the Ringling Bros. Red Unit, Yelena has shared her passion on stages around the world—but her greatest joy comes from mentoring young artists and watching them grow.
Since opening Avatar Sports, she has built a vibrant, supportive community where students of all levels can explore their creativity, build strength, and find their voice. Known for her dedication and warmth, Yelena believes in the power of hard work, kindness, and the magic that happens when students believe in themselves.
With a deep background in aerial arts and performance training, Yelena leads the studio with precision, care, and creativity. Her coaching blends elite technique with artistic expression, empowering students to reach their highest potential.
When she’s not in the studio, Yelena enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and staying inspired by the arts.
Tristan Avelina Cunningham – Cirque Arts coach
Tristan is our cirque fundamentals teacher, she is also the Cirque Kids program director at Cirque School LA, a position she has also held at the San Francisco Circus Center as well. You can also catch her on TV, she’s been on NCIS, The Conners, Family Reunion, SWAT, All Rise, 911, and she plays Toni in hit HULU show Reasonable Doubt. She is a alumnus of Circus Smirkus and has worked or performed with Circus Bella, Velocity Circus, Prescott Circus Theater, San Francisco Mime Troupe, Jumbo Shrimp Circus, Cirque Du Soleil and The Medical Clown Project. She has had the honor of sharing the circus ring with Circus Legends Alberto Zoppé & Marcel Marceau.
Amanda Richie – Lead coach: Aerial Competition Program
Amanda began performing at three years old. By the age of seven she starred in a local South Florida children’s show, KidZone. Her passion for performing blossomed and before she attended high school she was offered the opportunity to study with the Joffrey Ballet School on scholarship. During her academic schooling, Amanda worked full time performing with the Ft. Lauderale Ballet Classique. But after graduation, her desire to travel the world led her to run away with the circus as a headlining aerialist/dancer with shows such as: Dezire, Cirque on Ice and Four Spirit of the Elements. In 2009 until May 2015 she made the bright lights of Vegas her home performing with Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity and Michael Jackson ONE. Amanda now lives in Los Angeles, California where she teaches her craft to all ages and all walks of life. In 2020 Grounded in Flight, Amanda’s aerial company and studio, was born.
Kaylee Sachs – Aerial Arts Coach (Lyra & Hammock Focus)
Kaylee’s background in competitive dance led her to the world of aerial arts, where she has been training for over nine years. She has performed at various events and venues across LA, including 626 Night Market and Level 8, and choreographed and performed in Centershift’s music video My Own World. Aerial hammock is her specialty, but she is also trained in hoop, rope, and silks. In 2018, she earned her Aerial Dance Teacher Training certification from Up Flying Yoga and loves sharing her passion with students of all ages.
Nairi Tahmizyan– Aerial Arts Coach (Lyra & Hammock Focus)
Nairi Tahmizyan grew up around dance and music, always moving. She choreographed and performed with her high school dance team mainly in the styles of contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. While studying chemical engineering at UCLA, she wanted to dive deeper and became more consistent in her expression in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. At the age of 20 she stumbled upon aerial arts and fell in love. Nairi has been a performing aerialist since 2017, specializing in hoop and hammock, but also performs on silks, rope, trapeze, and other specialty apparatuses. She received her Aerial Dance Teacher Training Certificate in 2019 and her Aerial Yoga Teacher Training Certificate in 2020.
Minda Ruggles – Aerial Arts Coach (Hammock and Silks Focus)
Minda began her aerial training in 2004. Having been a gymnast growing up, it was a similar art that not only trains the body but is exhilarating and fun. She began on silks and found each apparatus after to be another great challenge and opportunity to learn. She has performed at private and public functions in the air and as part of ground acts. Minda loves teaching and believes in constantly learning more about the body and aerial to bring the best and most current knowledge to her students.
Taylor Krasne– Cyr Wheel Coach
Taylor Krasne is a circus artist, stunt woman and actress. She made her screen debut in Tacoma FD’s “Pickleball” episode, as well as in the feature film “Soul Mates,” sharing the screen with Charlie Weber. Before pursuing stunts, Krasne trained full time and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the National Institute of Circus Arts in Australia, specializing in Cyr wheel and was soon after accepted into Cirque du Soleil. Upon moving back to the US, she was quickly drawn to the stunt industry and has been working in Hollywood since 2018. Taylor has been a stunt double for actors including Amy Adams, Christina Ricci, Billie Eilish, Sarah Gilman, Isabella Pappas, and more.
Now, in addition to her work on screen, Taylor shares her expertise by teaching Cyr wheel at Avatar—the only Cyr wheel classes available in the area. Her passion, skill, and dedication make her a truly inspiring presence in and out of the studio.