Open Circle Studio

Open Circle Studio Instructors

Stacia Cook-McCoy - Bellydance and Yoga

Stacia has been a student of bellydance for over a decade, exploring cabaret styles for several years before discovering American Tribal.  Teaching through EKU Community Education Programs as well as a wide variety of workshops and festivals throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, she founded Namaste Tribal dance troupe in 2001.  When the opportunity to open her own studio came along, she was determined to make a welcoming environment for both instructor and student to learn about the performing arts in a comfortable and zen atmosphere.

Stacia offers Bellydance Basics, Introduction to Tribal Bellydance, and Low-Impact Yoga.

Aeriya - Jazz, Modern Ballet, Salsa, Swing 

Aeriya is originally from Chicago, IL, but spent most of her childhood in Las Vegas, NV. There she received her training in dance in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Gymnastics.  

She attended Berea College the summer after she graduated from high school. There she received instruction in Ballroom and Social Dancing in classes and workshops, that which included Swing and Salsa. Later she went to Eastern Kentucky University as an art and psychology major and dance minor for both dance and art therapy.  She has expanded her dance training to Modern Dance under the instruction of Dr. Marianne McAdam, and Middle Eastern dance under the instruction of Nashwa Cahill and several members of the Middle Eastern Dance and Culture Club, including Savannah Marlow. 

Savannah Marlow - Belly Burn & Hatha Yoga

Savannah has danced for most of her life, having studied many different forms from the time she was 5. Her true love is belly dance, which she has been studying since the fall of 2003. She has had the honor of studying with various local and national instructors, including Stacia Cook-McCoy, Teresa Tomb, Nashwa Cahill and Rachel Brice. She has performed at various events including EKU Dance Theatre, the Georgetown International Kite and Culture Festival, as well as several private events. She is the co-founder of Eastern Kentucky University's Middle Eastern Dance and Culture Club and director of the dance troupe Majhoul. She attends workshops and events throughout the Southeast region.

Brandon Thompson - Beginning Meditation

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA. Brandon  has studied and practiced Tibetan, Zen, and Shambhala Buddhism since 2000. He has been trained as a meditation instructor at the Lexington Shambhala Center and, as part of his education, studied with John Welwood (a widely-known contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer).  He has recently obtained his Masters Degree in Transpersonal Psychology, and as part of that program, became certified to teach meditation. 

He is a musician, and has had the amazing opportunity of singing opera in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and England. Brandon's home spiritual practices come from the Mahayana Buddhist tradition: lojong mind training and tonglen meditation. He has a beautiful wife, Shelby, and two funny cats named Logan and Ringo.

Mark McCoy - Basic Self-Defense & Tae-robics

Mark has been practicing martial arts for over 25 years, studying under several regional instructors as well as nationally know experts.  He takes his knowledge into a different direction by focusing on the everyday safety concerns he sees in other people's actions. 

Drawing on UFC and other reality based fighting styles, Mark has developed a program that takes the martial arts out of the dojo and into the parking lots and sidewalks where the average person must develop the reflexes and awareness to stay safe.

Stacia Cook-McCoy 

Aeriya   Savannah Marlow 
Brandon Thompson