Class Descriptions
Gainesville Circus Center offers empowering and fun classes in all things circus, including aerial dance and ground acrobatics. Plus, our selection of world dance classes helps you achieve grace and rhythm — plus a great cardio workout! We also have basic core conditioning and flexibility classes.
• Note: Not all classes are running at this time. Please visit our Schedule and Registration page to see current offerings.
Kids Aerial & Non-Aerial Classes: These classes are for students ages 5 - 13. Kids explore the world of circus in a fun, colorful and safe environment. Our students practice basic concepts of balance and fine motor coordination on the ground and in the air, preparing them for more advanced skills as they grow! In our aerial classes, students will stretch, condition, and soar through the air on the trapeze, lyra, and silks. We also offer fun non-aerial classes where kids can learn to dance, walk on stilts, juggle, or be a clown! New students should start with the Kids Aerial Beg/Int. Please see Toddler Time below for opportunities for kids ages 18 months - 5 years.
Intro to Aerial: This class teaches foundations of aerial dance on silks, trapeze, and lyra. Students warm up with a mixture of yoga, dance and gymnastics before practicing on the aerial equipment. This is a requirement for first time aerial students, and a good class to keep returning to until you have mastered the foundations of aerial. New students with previous aerial experience can request a private lesson for assessment to bypass Intro to Aerial.
Flying Trapeze: Our low-cast flying system is located at Two Hawk Hammock in Williston. These classes are offered seasonally. Check with admin for the next flying trapeze series. Opportunities to perform at our 2nd Street Circus Spectacular in February.
Level 1 Silks, Lyra, or Dance Trapeze: Level 1 technique courses refine foundations learned from Intro to Aerial, and explore beginner level skills and combinations on the apparatus specific to each class. Prerequisite: Intro to Aerial checkout.
Level 1.5 Silks: Make the leap from Level 1 into Level 2 with confidence by stopping off at Level 1.5. Condition inversions and wraps for air awareness. Prerequisites: Silks 1 checkout.
Level 2/3 Silks Explore advanced climbs and momentum on aerial silks. Prerequisites: Silks 1.5 checkout.
Level 1.5/2 Lyra: This intermediate lyra class focuses on combinations and choreography. Prerequisites: Lyra 1 checkout.
Level 1.5/2 Trapeze: This intermediate trapeze class focuses on combinations and choreography. Prerequisites: Trapeze 1 checkout.
Handstands 101: Learn everything you need to develop a straight, stable, freestanding handstand in a clear step by step manner. Class covers many different skills and drills for participants to take home and build a solid foundation for freestanding handstand development.
Toddler Time: Saturday morning classes from 9:30 - 11am are for kids ages 2 - 5 & their adult caregiver to play. Come climb, roll, romp and play the circus way! Instructors will lead 45 minutes of structured play followed by 45 minutes of free play. Tues/Thur monring classes are for kids only. Our new 6-week series offers 45 minutes classes at 10am for 18-30 months and 11am for 31 - 48 months.
Samba: This Brazilian dance class is full of sassy hip swivels and fast foot work. Samba will open your heart, make you sweat, and teach you to flow with confidence across any dance floor, catwalk or conference room. Check our calendar in April for the new season of Samba. Students can audition to perform in our September Brazil Fest event at Heartwood Soundstage.
Lyrical Dance: Adult lyrical dance class open to all levels. Let your hair down and flow with one of our masterful dance instructors.
Juggling: Juggling is one of the best skills to master during isolated times! We will covre mainly ball skills, but possibly clubs or other props as well if you have access to them. From foundational patterns, to delving into unique creative body throws/catches, to practice strategy, prepare for a fun, comprehensive juggling education.
Balancing-Stilts, unicycle, rola-bola & rolling globe: Finding the perfect balance in life is hard. Circus is not the exception, but you can find your balance and have fun by trying riding a unicycle, standing on a rolling globe, walking on stilts, or standing on a rola-bola. Notes: close toe shoes are necessary for unicycles, rola-bola, and stilts. Thick socks to protect toes and ankles are encouraged.
Open Gym: Students must have instructor permission and adhere to open gym guidelines. Open Gym allows students to train skills they have learned in class. Students must work on skills at their level. Open Gym monitors reserve the right to refuse anyone to practice if they are not working safely. Students must pay close attention to pulley systems and mats while working in open gym. The only teaching that can take place during open gym is regarding the proper use of pulleys & mats. Students may not request instructors for technical skill training. Students may not co-teach one-another in open gym.
