Based in Memphis, TN, -EM- has been an active part of the kink scene since 2010. Known for a sharp edge and a sharp tongue, he brings a no-nonsense, high-impact teaching style that blends blunt honesty with a dark sense of humor. Specializing in rope bondage and whips, -EM- enjoys exploring the edge of physical and psychological endurance with technical precision. He has taught across the U.S. and Europe, drawing from a diverse background of training with internationally respected educators.  Whether you're looking to hone your sadism or survive it, -EM- offers a direct, hands-on education that leaves an impression.

Nirathekitten (she/her) is a rope loving, latex wearing, often bloody, switch and self-player who joined the larger kink community in 2018 while living in Michigan. Now located in Western NC, she dedicates a large portion of her time volunteering for her local community, sharing her passion for education, and co-leading Asheville Rope Academy. Whether it's traveling cross-country, or in her own backyard, Nira can be found pushing her abilities in kink. Between getting tangled in rope, causing trouble with sharp things, torturing partners, or intriguing sadists- it can safely be assumed that she will be found further proving that 'mind over matter' is more than just an expression. She can be found on Fetlife, Instagram, and Twitter as NiratheKitten.

Natalie Rose (they/she) is a queer kink educator and lifestyle coach who teaches rope and power exchange with guts, grace, and zero pretense. They’ve been active in the scene since 2013, starting as a rope bottom (then, under the name ShesANatural), evolving into a rope top and performer, and teaching at 30+ events across North America.

Their work centers embodied learning, practical technique, and inclusive, affirming education, especially for rope bottoms and those navigating power exchange. Natalie brings over a decade of lived experience, including a thriving 24/7 authority-transfer relationship since 2014.

Whether you're tying, being tied, or building dynamics that last, Nat offers tools that are rooted, real, and ready for wherever you are in your kink journey.

Etch (she/her) is a rope bottom and 24/7 lifestyle power exchange submissive who brings intentionality, curiosity, and a deep love of embodiment to her work in kink education. Active in the Portland kink community since 2015, she has presented as a rope and impact bottom at a wide range of events.

Etch specializes in the emotional, physical, and energetic experiences of bottoming. Her presence as a demo bottom reflects a commitment to consent-forward, self-aware play, and she offers students a grounded model of what it looks like to show up in rope with trust, presence,

and autonomy.

In and out of the classroom, she believes in the magic of chosen suffering, the ritual of surrender, and the transformative power of connection through kink.

Sam Jay (he/him) and Zero-Gi (she/her) are best known for bringing rope bondage to great heights, from skyscrapers to high fashion. They have made a splash through their iconic NYC Street Shibari project and without-a-net high-altitude urbex suspensions, giving them a unique perspective on suspension safety and dynamic risk management. Across New York and worldwide, they are also known for bringing jaw-dropping stunts, rip-roaring energy, feats of endurance, and breakneck speed to the stage, everywhere from Torture Garden and Dances of Vice fetish balls to Burning Man, underground raves, art festivals, intimate salons, destination resorts, off-Broadway shows, and television. They've been teaching and performing together internationally since 2020, but the dirty secret is that it’s really all about the hot ties at home with an audience of one.

Before joining forces in 2018, Sam Jay picked up strong fundamentals from 2011 to 2017 in the Osada-ryu-based Melbourne Rope Dojo, where he was one of the first five students. In 2017, he decided to tie partners rather than to tie styles, and that has made all the difference. Zero-Gi caught the rope bug in 2017, and while she owes a great deal to rich education in a diversity of tying styles from tops, bottoms, switches, and self-suspenders worldwide, she has always rooted her core practice in dedicated solo study, challenging assumptions, interrogating standard forms, and eventually developing and crash testing new ties on her own body first. Together, Sam Jay and Zero-Gi have continually pushed the envelope on a global stage, from single toe suspensions and death-defying heights to popular new ties, techniques, signature transition sequences, inclusive adaptations, and dogma-ditching expansion of the standard rope repertoire.

Sassy (@sassy_masochist) has been active in the rope and kink scene since 2015, where she quickly discovered a deep love for both sides of the rope. Drawn to rope for the connection and creative expression it allows, Sassy’s tying style emphasizes improvising bondage and adapting her play to honor the unique needs of each individual. In her curriculum, Sassy often aims to destigmatize kink and help kinksters make adjustments in their play to accommodate their body’s specific needs.

Sassy has taught and performed at events such as Dark Odyssey events, Tethered Together, EURIX, TES Fest, Shibari VA, Bound in Boston, Exxxotica Expo, and more! She is also the co-founder of SMart Boston Collab, where she continues to organize and teach in her local Boston community. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Sassy is always seeking new ways to grow, create, and connect within the community.

Living up to her name, Tori (FearlesMasochist) has a bottoming career spanning over a decade, across multiple rope communities involving diverse and intense sadistic rope styles; most recently expanding into education with several classes across the US and at EURIX. She is a big advocate for community and is a founder and organizer of SMart Boston, a kink organization based in Boston. She is also a mentor with the New England Mentorship Program (a kink mentorship program in New England). Tori has developed a deep dedication to masochism, from what started as a bedroom spanking fetish and a love of contact sports. Always up for a challenge or to crash test, she can be seen hanging upside down from a rig somewhere in Boston.

The_Silence started photographing his rope work over 14 years ago and shoots multiple times a week. He developed his style through adapting what he's learned in classes, the internet, and a whole LOT of trial & error. Because of photography, he’s had to push himself and gain the knowledge from multiple teachers and sources over the years.

WhiskyTangoFoxy (pronouns are She/Her/Hers) is a bottom-leaning switch who loves self-tying, self suspension bondage and DIY projects. She is an active member of the Chicago BDSM scene and currently serves as a Director at Galleria Domain 2,  a private members-only club. She has presented rope bondage instruction and BDSM education all over the US and online, in addition to moderating online groups dedicated to Rope Bondage and Kink Event Production. You can usually find her online (FL: WhiskyTangoFoxy or Discord: whiskytango_foxy) or at GD2.

BetwixtBlushes (she/her) is a regular in the Denver scene since 2015. She is an enthusiast of discussion groups, bottoms speaking up (especially in class), and thigh high socks. She teaches regularly locally and occasionally at cons in the US.

g (she/her) entered the scene after an awakening to her submissive and masochist inclinations. She instantly felt a sense of belonging with the kink community, but it wasn’t until she moved to Denver over 3 years ago that she first was given an opportunity to experience the joy of suffering in rope. She is drawn to the physical and mental challenges of strenuous ties and the shared experience created with her partners. Over the years, she has been given opportunities to tie with several talented riggers and continues to explore ways of pushing her own limits while growing as an empowered partner in rope. Through her work outside of kink, g has also received training in the health sciences and enjoys opportunities where she can combine her scientific mind with the artistry of rope. She is looking forward to giving back to the community by sharing some of the expertise she has gained in her professional life along with insights she has acquired during her journey as a rope bottom.

Marilyn began her rope journey in 2019 here in Denver! After finishing the Studio Friction partnered curriculum in March 2020 (literally the week before everything shut down), Marilyn began self-tying as a way to maintain her rope skills. She quickly fell in love with the playful, energetic, and dynamic nature of it! She is now the proud co-developer and teacher of Studio Friction's self-suspension curriculum, guiding and empowering a new generation of students to explore what self-tying has to offer. When not tying up herself, Marilyn can be found tying others, getting tied up by others, and pursuing rope education from instructors from around the world. One of her favorite things is to watch a partnered suspension from a class or a lab and to mischievously ask the question "How can I tie that on myself?"

Teleopeli and SeaSandSunSnow began their rope bondage journey in 2014 when SeaSandSunSnow told Teleopeli "google shibari. I want this." Shortly afterward they discovered an in-person community of rope enthusiasts who mentored and encouraged their journey. They have been fortunate to be able to attend conferences and weekend intensives to learn and refine their practice, mainly with Teleopeli being the one who ties and SeaSandSunSnow being bound in rope. They are life partners and founding members of Montana Rope Wranglers, and have been integral to facilitating local rope events in Bozeman since 2015.

Creative Mayhem (he/him) has been practicing shibari for over 15 years, tying primarily in a Japanese style. He is passionate about both the form and function of rope and has studied, presented, and performed internationally. 

While pandoradreams has taken a bit of a hiatus from the rope community, her love of rope, teaching, and planning epic events has not evaporated. Since 2013, pandoradreams has been a part of creating Denver Rope Bite, Ropegasm parties, Rope in the Rockies 2018, 2018, and 2025 as well as multiple weekend intensives over the course of 8 years.  She has instructed with Denver Rope Bite, regional cons, and Studio Friction, both as a curriculum instructor and instructor of day-long advanced rope intensives.  She has experience performing in multiple Denver venues and creating rope art to be captured by some of our talented local photographers.  Her teaching style revolves around thinking outside the box, adaptation, and developing creativity. She is excited to get Rope in the Rockies attendees’ creative juices flowing!