Youth Aerial & Circus Classes
The Weehawken Dance aerial silks & circus program runs by the semester (14 weeks total of class) and end in a Circus Showcase at the Montrose Flex Rec. Fall semester classes run Aug 28 - Dec 15, 2023 with a break the week of Thanksgiving. The deadline for all classes is September 8 (if space is available). The winter circus showcase will take place Dec 3.
*Please check the dance resources tab for additional information including dates to remember and policies information.
What are the Aerial Arts?
Aerial arts is art created with one’s body through movement or dance while using an aerial apparatus giving the illusion of flight or weightlessness. Aerials is a great core-based full body calisthenics workout.
Aerial arts are for everyone, every shape, every body. Join us at Weehawken Creative Arts to take advantage of our aerial instruction- offering classes in Ridgway, Montrose and Ouray for ages 6 to adult!
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced aerialist looking for a space to “hang,” you can find it all at Weehawken!
Silks – Aerial silks (also known as aerial contortion, aerial ribbons, aerial tissues, fabric, ribbon, or tissu, depending on personal preference) is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial acrobatics while hanging from a fabric.
Lyra – A lyra hoop is a circular steel ring similar to a hula hoop that’s suspended in the air by a cable or any lengthy cord attached to the ceiling. The lyra hoop is also known as aerial ring, aerial hoop, or cerceaux.
Sling – (Also called aerial yoga) is a type of airborne fitness that is practiced in a silk hammock suspended from the ceiling to support you.
Circus – Youth classes with a focus on intro to aerial mixed apparatus as well as contortion through active flexibility exercises. A safe and fun intro to aerial and acrobatic dance for youth- and a great stepping stone to our tween/teen silks and lyra classes!
Aerial Conditioning (Active Flexibility) – A great compliment to aerial arts and highly recommended for those new to the arts or those wanting to transition into performing. Rather than focus on passive stretches, this class will encourage students to build the strength necessary to hold and move through an active range of flexibility. We will focus on building strength and joint stability in our movement. Active flexibility will help increase your dynamic flexibility with movements that support the muscles necessary for maximum range of motion.
Youth Aerial & Circus Schedule
Mondays in Ouray
@ Hypoxia
4:00-5:00 Silks 1 with Marisa (ages 11 and up)
6:15-7:30 Teen Silks 2/3 with Marisa (ages 13 and up with instructor approval, this class may audition to perform in Polar Express, Casting TBA)
Tuesdays in Montrose
@ Flex Rec
4:00-5:00 Kids Circus level 1 with Marisa (ages 8-10.5)
@ Black Canyon Gymnastics
7:15-8:30 Teen Silks 2/3 with Marisa (ages 13 and up with instructor approval)
Wednesdays in Ridgway
@ Weehawken Dance Studio
3:15-4:00 Intro to Circus with Marisa (ages 6-8)
4:00-5:00 Kids Circus level 2 with Marisa (ages 10.5-13)
5:15-6:15 Lyra with Marisa (ages 13+)
Wednesdays in Montrose
@ Flex Rec
6:30-7:30 Silks 1 with Natasha (ages 11 and up)
Thursdays in Montrose
@ Field House Omni room
6:00-7:00 Stretching & Active Flexibility with Marisa (ages 10 and up, non-performing, by the month)
@ Flex Rec
3:45-4:30 Intro to Circus with Marisa (ages 6-8)
4:45-5:45 Lyra with Marisa (ages 13+)
@ Black Canyon Gymnastics
7:30-8:45 Teen Silks 2/3 with Marisa (ages 13 and up with instructor approval)
Fridays in Ridgway
@ Weehawken Dance Studio
3:15-4:15 Kids Circus level 1 with Marisa (ages 8-10.5)
Coming Up!
Wednesday, November 1 Tickets go on sale to dance families for the Winter Circus Showcase, “Polar Express” & “Santa’s Little Sweets”
Wednesday, November 8 Tickets go on sale to the general public for the Winter Circus Showcase, “Polar Express” & “Santa’s Little Sweets”
Monday, November 13 Registration Opens for Winter/Spring Semester
November 13-17 Parent’s visitation week for Pre through Level 2 DANCE Classes, and any NEW to Weehawken Dance families (to collect costumes, ask questions about the show, video dances, last 20 minutes of each class)
November 20-24 THANKSGIVING BREAK, NO CLASSES
Sun., December 3 Winter Circus Showcase & Dress Rehearsal for all aerial classes at the Montrose Pavilion
Monday, December 4 Regular Class Schedule.
December 5-10 “Polar Express” Show Week, NO DANCE OR AERIAL CLASSES
December 11-15, last week of Aerial Classes. Parent's may visit class this day for a small in studio demonstration.
Youth Aerial Silks & Circus Pricing:
Fall 14 Week Session:
45 minute class: $280
60 minute class: $350
75 minute class: $420
Show Fee (1 performance): $50
Upper Level Rehearsal Fee: (Level 2/3 and up): $20
All Aerial Circus & Dance Classes require an annual dance registration fee of $25. All class registrations come with the option of a monthly payment plan. There is no additional charge for payment plans. Payment plans require auto-draft on credit card and 25% at time of registration.
Please note, Aerial & circus class enrollment comes with a NO REFUND and NO MAKE UP class requirement due to the equipment required. Once a student is enrolled they are responsible for the full tuition for that session, regardless of any other circumstances.
Aerial and Circus Dance (silks, Lyra, Trapeze, etc.) Dress Code: All Dancers in aerial & circus must comply with the dress code. This is to prevent injury such as burns, to keep dancers safe and secure, and to protect the equipment. Dancers will often be upside down, and must dress accordingly. Ladies must wear a sports bra or leotard with a secure shelf bra. Leggings or tight fitting pants or tights that cover the back of the knee. Absolutely no zippers or jewelry, they can catch on the fabric and damage the equipment. No bare legs or stomachs. Dance tights with shorts is acceptable. Tops that cover the armpits are preferred. Shirts must be long enough to be tucked in securely. Keep a long sleeve shirt in your bag to wear for tricks that involve the silk being wrapped over arms. Hair must be pulled up and out of the face. Bring an extra hair tie to pull hair into a bun as needed.
For New Students
New students will be placed in a class according to their age. All level placements are at the discretion of the Authorized WCA teaching staff. Any deviations from the standard placement must go through an Authorized WCA teaching staff member.
About Level Placement
Student’s placement in classes and workshops offered by WCA Dance is at the discretion of the WCA teaching staff and is subject to the approval of the Artistic Director. Any deviations from the standard placement must go through the Artistic Director. Please note that it is common for students to remain in a level for more than one year.
Aerial Dance Behavior Code
In addition to outlined studio etiquette, the following applies to aerial programs.
In order to keep your child safe during aerial, please discuss with them the following before their first class. Failure to follow the aerial behavior code will result in your child being expelled from the aerial program.
- Safety First
- Follow the dress code
- Teacher knows best: Always follow the teacher’s directions
- Always learn tricks low first, go high after the teacher approves it
- Never perform a trick without being over a mat
- Follow your trick “checklist”
- Rough Housing, climbing too high without approval, practicing trick you aren’t ready for, and student disrespect will not be tolerated in this class.
- Students may not touch any equipment at the studio that is not being used
