Since May
17, 2006
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SUPPORT US! Help children defy gravity, soar with confidence and leap over social barriers, all at the same time. Click his nose to donate! |
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SUPPORT US! Help children defy gravity, soar with confidence and leap over social barriers, all at the same time. Click his nose to donate! |
Jessica Hentoff, Artistic/Executive Director
This class introduces the basic skills of tumbling mini-trampoline, partner acrobatics, balancing, trapeze and object manipulation. Elements of comedy are also included. The emphasis is on fun and developing core physical, social and self awareness skills through learning and performing circus arts. The students present a group opening finale routines plus one individual act for a delightful finale performance in the Circus Harmony ring.
This is a combined class, recommended for people who have already taken at least one session of Level 1 classes or for older new students who may already have some circus or gymnastics experience. This class covers all basic skill sets. This usually small class receives individualized instruction in the Circus Harmony Core Skills while working toward meeting the requirements for the St. Louis Arches elite performance team. The desire to become an Arch is not expected from the students but the requirements are used as a guide to insure a well rounded skill set and development of life skills through the challenges. Students are actively involved in the creation of new human pyramids and developing the content of their end of semester show.
Our Level 1 class spans all of the basic core skills that must be in the foundation of the well rounded performer. Balancing, object manipulation, acrobatics and fundamentals of aerial work are all included using routines based upon established core skills. Teamwork, trust, confidence, and responsibility are stressed as the students create their own show featuring group and solo acts created with the staff for their finale show.
This class is based upon the principal of meeting the skill requirements necessary to earn entry into the St. Louis Arches, our elite performance team. However, the desire to become an Arch is not essential or required. We have continuing students who choose to remain in this class and who continue to learn and increase their skills to elite levels in complete comfort. Intermediate and advanced level tumbling, partner acrobatic, aerial, juggling, and equilibristic skills are taught based upon the level of skill and readiness the student has. The students in this class are encouraged to create new skills, new acts, and work independently. Students are often asked to perform in the circus ring and on outside engagements to perfect their routines and performance abilities. The creation of the final show is driven by the interests and abilities of the students. Students in this class are also expected to work on their own outside of class using exercises taught to increase their strength and flexibility. Students in this class may also be eligible to participate in guest performer workshops, attend performances, and will interact with the St. Louis Arches throughout the term. Registration for this class requires the approval of Circus Harmony staff. Students in this class should be prepared to expect the unexpected, work in a highly social team environment, and work very hard in a challenging skill set.
This class is an introduction to the world of the circus tailored specifically for adults of all ages and physical abilities. Learn to juggle, balance, tumble, and fly while increasing cardio-fitness, flexibility and strength. This is a fun and challenging class that adapts to each participant’s needs and skill level. The students will be asked to try everything at least once and will then build a show, complete with music and costumes around what they master. The pace is gentle and relaxed yet offers something for everyone to enjoy and will challenge you. At Circus Harmony, our oldest student is 83, takes aerial classes and occasionally performs in our ring on lyra or trapeze.
This class introduces the basic skills of tumbling mini-trampoline, partner acrobatics, balancing, trapeze and object manipulation. Elements of comedy are also included. The emphasis is on fun and developing core physical, social and self awareness skills through learning and performing circus arts. The students present a group opening finale routines plus one individual act for a delightful finale performance in the Circus Harmony ring.
Please check back later for a description of this class.
Appropriate for students who have taken at least two semesters of level 1 but have not yet mastered enough skills to move onto Level 2.
Utilizing experience gained from offering intergenerational circus arts experiences for Elderhostel International, Warren Bacon offers the unique opportunity for grandparents, parents, guardians, and mentors to build new connections with their young people and with others through the use of object manipulation, acrobatics, balancing, and aerial arts. Core skills are stressed in each area and skills are adapted to the physical needs and limitations of each participant. No prior experience is required. The emphasis is on building trust, communication, self respect, and team building. As one Elderhostel participant said, “Thank you for introducing me to my grandson that I never knew.”
This class introduces the basic skills of tumbling, mini-trampoline, partner acrobatics, equilibristics, trapeze and object manipulation. Elements of comedy are also included. The emphasis is on fun and developing core physical, social and self awareness skills through learning and performing circus arts. The students present a group opening finale routines plus one individual act for a delightful finale performance in the Circus Harmony ring. This class is scheduled to meet the needs of Homeschooled young people but is not limited to home schooled students.
This is a combined level class. It is recommended for people who have already taken at least one session of Level 1 classes or for older new students who may have some circus or gymnastic experience. This class covers all basic circus skill sets. This usually small class receives individualized instruction in the Circus Harmony Core Skills while working toward meeting the requirements for the St. Louis Arches elite performance team. The desire to become an Arch is not expected from the students but the requirements are used as a guide to insure a well rounded skill set and development of life skills through the challenges. Students are actively involved in the creation of new human pyramids and developing the content of their end of semester show. Scheduled to meet the needs of homeschoolers, the class is not limited to only Homeschooled youth.
In the late 1950’s the Wham-o Corporation introduced a plastic hoop that became a world-wide sensation with people of all ages. Since that time, Hula Hooping has grown to a true art form in circuses around the world. Learn the basics of manipulating one hoop up to many in this life long physical activity suitable for all ages. It is fun, challenging, and allows for lots of creativity while giving a low impact physical workout. This class, led by the honored artist of Mongolia, Rosa Yagaantsetseg, is a great opportunity for family activity as well as learning a performance skill for all ages.
This class will cover almost every form of object manipulation and may even invent something new. Juggling is a life long activity that has no bounds of creativity and imagination. The instruction is individualized to each student based upon their interests and what captivates their imagination. Balls, rings, clubs, flower sticks, diabolo, plates, and more, flying and spinning in whatever patterns and methods that can be found are built upon a few basic skills. Never juggled? That is okay. An advanced juggler? That is okay - we will challenge your abilities. Looking for a new life long fascination or wanting to be an expert - this is a class for you. It is also a great class for siblings and parent / child partners.
This class concentrates on the basic skills of acrobatic tumbling. Suitable for both beginners and experienced students, instruction will be based on mastery of the core skills and strengths necessary for successful tumbling. Extensive use of safety devices will allow even beginners to attempt things they might even think beyond their reach.
The world of equilibristics - balancing your body on another likely or unlikely object - in this case, great big globes, a cylinder and a board, or a very thin tight or slack wire. Balancing activities are proven benefits to longer and safer life spans for people of all ages. In addition to the physical skills acquired, the focus, concentration, relaxation, and body awareness learned will make all students healthier and place them in better control of their minds and bodies. Learn these techniques from experts, learn how to build your own apparatus, and have fun multi-tasking with a combination of physical and mental exercise. Great class for siblings and parent/child combos to take together.
Resident master magician, Christian the Magician, brings his skill, experience, and knowledge to our circus ring, teaching the secrets of magic from basic sleight of hand to major illusions. Magic is a life-long hobby that is boundless in its scope and challenges. Beginners will learn core skills and effects they can use to entertain and amaze their friends and families while more experienced magicians will benefit from learning more sophisticated techniques and Christian’s guidance and knowledge of presentation and performance of magic for all types of audiences. Christian performs hundred of shows each year both in the Circus Harmony Ring and throughout the St. Louis area from strolling close up magic to full stage performances. This is a fun, often funny, class that will delight and amaze both you and your friends. This is another class that the whole family can take. Everyone needs a little magic in their life, so why not start now?
Honored Artist of the Republic of Mongolia, Rosa Yagaantsetseg, brings her unique and world respected techniques of building the complex interaction of strength and flexibility within each student through individualized instruction in very small classes to the Circus Harmony Center. Classes with Rosa are highly suggested for all serious students of the circus arts, both men and women. Nowhere else in the United States can anyone obtain the level of expert training that this class offers. Rosa has students appearing with Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Dreams, Cirque Eloise, the Royal Hanneford Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and major shows world wide. This class is designed for those ages 14 and over. Younger students should consider the beginning contortion class offered on Saturday.
“Miss Rosa” comes to us from Mongolia and brings with her a lifetime of experience in performing and teaching circus arts. Rosa is recognized around the world for her creation of unusual and unique acts based upon strength and extreme flexibility. She works with small classes teaching the basics of developing extreme flexibility balanced with the necessary strength required to control the flexibility. This one hour class is suitable for both male and female students - some of the world’s greatest contortionists have been men - and will benefit any young person in a multitude of ways.
For youth aged students (5 - 14), these classes teach the skills of the static trapeze. The level one class teaches the core skills, grips, mounting and dismounting, builds strength and flexibility, special awareness, and a routine is developed using basic core movements and positions. Level 2 classes introduce more advanced skills and more complicated combinations. Progress to level 2 is determined by our team of professional aerial performers who carefully monitor the progress of each student.
This class is basically the same as the youth class but is adapted to adults of all ages (17 and up). Additional time is allocated to warm up to allow for the natural progress of aging. More time is spent on the basic skills as we expect the more mature students to work on the conditioning and flexibility skills on the provided apparatus for these skills on their own. A core routine is taught and individual skills introduced as each student progresses. This is a great class for those wanting to maintain and improve their physical condition in a fun and social environment.
With permission of the staff, adult students may continue their skill development with this class. We introduce skills involving drops, hands free skills, and strength skills. Individual development is encouraged as continued learning of more demanding skills progresses. Students create their own routines, select their own music and costumes while under the direction of staff members they then create their unique and special finale performance.
This Aerial class provides an opportunity to try a variety of aerial apparatus. Student will then choose one to focus and perform on for culmination show. It is suggested but not required that students take Trapeze Level 1 before taking this class.
Once the basics are mastered, students with Monica’s approval will begin to learn more advanced skills including longer drops and more complex movements. Choreography will become more complex and demanding and partnering skills may be introduced. This class is designed for serious students.
This new offering is designed to explore the world of true partner aerial work. This is work in which one partner becomes the apparatus for the other partner. Virtually every aerial apparatus can become a partner apparatus. The initial classes will focus on grips, support skills and positions, and teamwork/communication. We will build from there. You do not need to have a partner to register. Partner pairs registering together will work together. If you do not have a partner, we will provide one for you. Completion of a basic aerial class is required.
The entire Circus Harmony faculty is available for one on one or small group lessons in any skill set at reasonable cost with prior arrangements. Private lessons are skill specific and intense. Each session includes a warm up, skill instruction, and conditioning phase designed specifically for the individual student and their needs. Advance sign up is required and subject to space, equipment, and instructor availability.
Through our sister company, everydaycircus, you may arrange for a special workshop for a group - church, social, school, birthday celebration, or other special need. These workshops will be custom designed to fit the age and needs of your group and will be led by one or more of our faculty with the assistance of our student teaching assistants. These are hugely popular and may also include reserved seating for, or a private performance, by The St. Louis Arches or other Circus Harmony performers.
If you dream of a career as a professional circus performer, want the training to attend a circus school in France, or want to launch your career in entertainment on your own, this program is for you. Our entire staff from teaching faculty to booking agent help you create an individualized program that provides you 20 hours per week of intensive training. Pre-professional students receive all of the instruction required to build the solid core skill set required for professional success in all genre. The student also will create two professional quality acts using the resources of Circus Harmony including choreographers, technique training, marketing skills, wardrobe design and construction, equipment design and construction, musical selection and royalty legalities. This program would comprise at least two full years of study and effort. With a combined total of over 200 years of experience from true professional artists, this program will provide you with what you need to make the dream come true - if you are willing to work for it and learn. You will have opportunities to perform before live audiences in a variety of situations, attend performances in multiple types of venues, learn about the history of this art form, work with guest instructors in special workshops, and learn what life on the road is really like from those who have been there.
Since May
17, 2006
