Summer Session at the Circus Project:
3 great sessions, 3 great coaches
- All classes take place at Friendly House Community Center in NW Portland
(www.friendlyhouse.org). - Early Bird Registration is two weeks before the session start date. Registration deadline is one week before the session start date.
- To register for a class, please contact Jenn Cohen:
Email: jenncohen@thecircusproject.org
Tel: (503) 764-9174
Class Descriptions (4 weeks/session):
Aerial Foundations (Adults):
Provides an introduction to aerial conditioning for those new to aerial arts as well as those wanting to develop greater strength, flexibility, and ease of movement. Aerial foundations utilizes trapeze, tissu (aerial fabric), lyra (aerial hoop), and floor work to develop core strength, flexibility, and proper aerial technique for those looking for a fun work out, as well as those looking to pursue continued training opportunities. This class is appropriate for all body types and levels, and can be taken in conjunction with our beginning aerial class.
Ages: Adults
Level: Beginning
Prerequisites: none
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Beginning Aerial (Adults):
Our beginning adult aerial class offers training in a variety of aerial apparatuses including static trapeze, vertical rope, aerial hoop and aerial silk (tissu). While learning the basics of each apparatus, students will continue to build strength, flexibility, and proper aerial technique, in a fun, collaborative environment.
Ages: Adults
Level: Beginning
Prerequisites: Aerial Foundations highly recommended but not required for people already fit.
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (kids):
Our kid’s classes provide children with a strong foundation in movement and creative arts that nourishes their physical, imaginative, and emotional abilities in a supportive and playful environment. Classes focus primarily on aerial arts, including trapeze, tissu (aerial fabric), and lyra (aerial hoop), and serve two primary objectives: to create a solid foundation in aerial technique and artistry and to encourage positive body image and self-esteem. With a maximum teacher/student ratio of 1/5, individual attention encourages the development of each child’s unique gifts.
Ages: 6 - 13
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Teens):
Aerial arts allow students to develop confidence, sills, and artistry in a safe, collaborative environment that encourages self-care and intelligent risk-taking. Students utilize trapeze, tissu (aerial fabric), and lyra (aerial hoop) to develop both physical and emotional integrity in addition to the development of proper aerial technique.
Ages: 14 – 18
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Static Trapeze (Adults, Intermediate/Advanced):
Our intermediate/advanced static class is designed for students with prior experience in either static or single-point trapeze. This class will focus on skills and combinations with an emphasis on alignment and timing.
Ages: Adults
Levels: Intermediate/Advanced
Prerequisites: Beginning aerial class or equivalent
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Tissu (Adults, Intermediate/Advanced)
Our intermediate/advanced tissu class is designed for students with prior experience in either tissu or vertical rope, who are able to climb up and down the rope and do a straddle up from the tissu. This class will also utilize handstands, acrobatics, and intensive stretching to continue to develop strength, flexibility, and technique, both on and off the apparatus.
Ages: Adults
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Prerequisites: Beginning aerial or equivalent
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Finding your Style (Adults, Intermediate/Advanced):
Now that you know lots of tricks, learn to make them yours! Work on discovering your own personal style of movement, adding flare to your act or creating one from scratch. Exploring costuming and music with the ultimate goal of putting on a small class show at the end of 4 sessions. Gain strength and confidence with continued training on lyra, trapeze and tissu while incorporating dance to create your own signature performance.
Ages: Adults
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Prerequisites: Beginning aerial
Cost: $120 (early bird registration), $150 (regular)
Open Gym (Intermediate – Professional):
Open gym hours are designed to build community among student and professional Portland circus artists. Open gym hours are supervised (not coached). Participants must have completed a beginning aerial class at the Circus Project or other training facility, pass an aerial safety test, and have the approval of the instructor. Space is limited, please call or email to reserve your space or to inquire about approval protocol:
Ages: 14 +
Prerequisites: beginning aerial class, aerial safety test, and instructor approval
To register, contact: Blythe Olson, email: blythe@thecircusproject.org, tel: 503. 261.3970
Dates/Times: Thursdays & Saturdays, 6-8pm, ongoing
Cost: $10/night
Aerial Salon Night:
Aerial Salons provide an opportunity for Portland aerialists (students & professionals) from the Circus Project as well as other local companies to perform either polished works or works-in-progress. Past salons have included performers and students of: Night Flight, A-WOL Dance Collective, Do Jump!, and the Circus Project. Aerial Salons are a wonderful opportunity to see what’s going on in our community, collaborate with other local artists, and give/receive feedback in a supportive and collaborative environment. Light food and drink are provided, floor seating only.
Date/Time: Friday, September 10, 7:30pm
Location: Friendly House Community Center, Activities Building Gym
Cost: $5 donation
Dates & Times:
Session A: June 19 – July 11
Coach: Daniela Steiner
- Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Kids): Sundays, 10am-12pm
(June 20, 27, July 4, 11) - Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Teens): Sundays, 12-2pm (June 20, 27, July 4, 11)
- Aerial Foundations (Adults): Saturdays, 1-3pm, (June 19, 26, July 3, 10)
- Beginning Aerial (Adults): Sundays, 3-5pm (June 20, 27, July 4, 11)
- Static Trapeze (Intermediate Adults): Sundays, 5-7pm (June 20, 27, July 4, 11)
Session B: July 13 – August 8
Coach: Petra Delarocha
- Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Kids): Sundays, 10am-12pm (July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8)
- Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Teens): Sundays, 12-2pm (July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8)
- Aerial Foundations (Adults): Saturdays, 1-3pm (July 17, 24, 31, Aug 7)
- Beginning Aerial (Adults): Sundays, 3-5pm (July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8)
- Lyra: (Intermediate Adults): Sundays, 5-7pm (July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8)
- Finding your Style (Adults): Tuesdays, 4-6pm (July 13, 20, 27, Aug 3)
Session C: August 14 – September 12
Coach: Kyoko Uchida
- Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Kids): Sundays, 10am-12pm (Aug 15, 22, 29, Sept 5)
- Beginning/Intermediate Aerial (Teens): Sundays, 12-2pm (Aug 15, 22, 29, Sept 5)
- Aerial Foundations (Adults): Tuesday, 4-6pm (Aug 10, 17, 24, 31)
- Beginning Aerial (Adults): Sundays, 3-5pm (Aug 15, 22, 29, Sept 5)
- Tissu (Intermediate Adults): Sundays, 5-7pm (Aug 15, 22, 29, Sept 5)
Coaches:
Petra Delarocha (session b): Petra is a 2009 Graduate of the Circus Project Intensive Training Company and now serves on staff with The Circus Project as a guest artist and aerial instructor.
Having been a floor dancer for over 12 years (beginning at da Vinci Arts Middle school and Jefferson High School), moving her art into the air was the obvious next step in reaching for the stars. Recent performances include fantastic aerial tricks on the lyra for Aerlift, Splenduh Salon and shows and fundraisers for Rose City Vaudeville.
Daniela Steiner (session a): After teaching and performing with Do Jump! for 12 years, Daniela heeded the call to the Bay Area,
where she worked as a circus coach at the San Francisco Circus Center and the Edgewood Center for Families and Children. While in San Francisco, Daniela co-founded Sweet Can Circus and performed in Teatro ZinZanni’s Cabaret Lunatique. Now back in Portland, Daniela performs with Circus Artemis, Curious Comedy, Pelu Teatre, and Nomadic Theatre Company. Other Northwest teaching credits include the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle, the Portland Waldorf School, and Cedarwood Waldorf School.
Kyoko Uchida (session c): Originally from Japan, Kyoko Uchida began dance training in 2001 and was soon attracted to the circus. She’s accomplished in trapeze, aerial fabric,
hand balancing and partner acrobatics. Her skills were sharpened by time studying under Cirque Du Soleil's Jacob Skeffington in Montreal and training with Ecole Nationale de Cirque's Yuri Bozyan. After a stint working with the Wonderbolt Circus in Newfoundland (2007), she has been back in Portland, blowing audiences away at cabaret shows around the city.









