Scott officer challenges herself as trapeze artist Published Nov. 12, 2015 By Airman Gwendalyn Smith 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- -- As Maj. Melody Jones looks up at the trapeze bar and the music starts playing, she takes a breath, pulls herself up, and begins to move through the air making a difficult task seem almost effortless. For Jones, 375th Operations Support Squadron wing Intelligence chief, performing aerial arts is a way to challenge herself and improve her skills. Aerial arts is a shared fundamental with circus arts, where high-flying acrobatic feats are used to impress audiences. Trapeze, slings, and silks are all apparatuses of aerial arts. Cirque du Soleil popularized the concept of aerial arts as a dance form and theatrical expression rather than purely gymnastic movements. Jones attends on average about three classes a week and of all the apparatuses, trapeze struck a particular interest in her. "I spend the most time on trapeze," said Jones. "It's my favorite, followed closely by slings. I have the most experience in trapeze; it's what I started with and what I'm most advanced on." Reaching a goal and learning something new can be very rewarding, even though it can be a brutal art form. "It's a painful activity that takes some toughening of the skin and hands. I walk away bruised on a regular basis," said Jones. "The trapeze is a steel bar, so it digs into the soft squishy parts of your body and is very unforgiving. The fabrics look comfortable, but they can be extremely painful." "When you have a good day and finally get that trick you've been working on for a while it makes it worth it," said Jones. Even though some days are difficult in learning a new skill, Jones still challenges herself to get better and to her instructors at the studio, it does not go unnoticed. "Melody has an awesome sense of determination," said Sunny Williams, an instructor at the studio. "She came in already quite physically strong, no doubt a testimony to both her military training and personal inclination toward fitness. But aerial work is more than just pull-ups and strength. It also requires flexibility of both mind and body. Sometimes it's body over mind, sometimes vice versa." Jones performed in the studio's May showcase and will be performing again on Dec. 11. "They do student showcases twice per year," said Jones. "I'm moving in December and pushed my departure date back two weeks in order to be able to participate in that show." Jones has come a long way and impressed her instructors with more than just determination. After performing for the first time Jones shined through her improvement. "I had the distinct pleasure of choreographing Melody for her first performance at our student showcase last fall," said Sunny. "We finished our choreography sessions. It was up to her to put the work in to make it her own and to tell the audience a story with her piece. When I saw the finished work, it brought tears to my eyes. She moved with such grace and beauty. It still gives me a chill. This is where Melody truly shines."