youth circus & aerial arts CLASSES in toledo
Our youth circus and aerial classes in Toledo offer kids and teens a fun, safe, and supportive environment to explore aerial arts and circus skills. For beginners and returning students alike, our programs focus on building confidence, coordination, and creativity.
Around here, we believe circus classes are for everyone. No dance, gymnastics, or other similar experience? No problem!
how it works
Youth & Teen classes are held in 4-week sessions that meet weekly. New students can sign up for the Youth Intro to Aerial Sampler, or any Youth or Teen Level 1 class.
Youth Program: Ages 7-11
Teen Program: Ages 12-15
It is recommended for youth students to learn the foundations of each apparatus in the Sampler class before taking Level 1 if it fits your schedule, but it is not required for Level 1.
At this time, only juggling offers drop-in options, or can be taken as a 4-week session.
If you have a child younger than 7 years old, please check out our private lesson offerings.
What We Teach
Our youth & teen program teaches students in a progressive curriculum, meaning we build upon the skills we learn and progress to new goals over time. Beginners will learn the fundamentals to support more advanced skills as they become ready — all in a playful, friendly environment. Students will repeat class levels until they have the skills required for advancing. When students meet the prerequisites to level up, they will be invited by their instructor to attend Level 2 classes.
Aerial silks are a fabric apparatus that are climbed, wrapped around the body, and/or tied to create dramatic drops, poses and movements in the air. Youth and teen students in aerial silks classes will build strength, flexibility, and coordination as they gain experience.
AERIAL SILKS
LYRA/
AERIAL HOOP
The aerial hoop, also called Lyra, is a circular steel aerial apparatus, and can be used in static, spinning, or swinging aerial movement. Students in youth or teen lyra classes will learn the fundamentals of various poses, while building strength and grace.
Youth and teen trapeze classes focus on coordination, strength, and balance above and below the trapeze bar. This apparatus builds clean form and vocabulary in a playful environment, with options to do tricks from the bar, or wrapped in the ropes.
trapeze
Sling, also called Aerial Hammock, consists of fabric hung in a loop shape. Youth and teen students in sling classes will focus on building core and upper body strength, mixed with poses, mounts, and choreography. All students will find moves they can do while building strength and flexibility on a fun, supportive apparatus.
SlING/AERIAL HAMMOCK
Juggling classes explore techniques, different sequences, and fun skills to train coordination. We work with folks of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, to continue to train your juggling craft. Please note Juggling is a mixed-age class for those 12 & up.
juggling
Youth & Teen Program mission statement
Safety, positive classroom atmosphere, and progressive skill training are the highest priorities of the Bird’s Eye View Circus Youth & Teen program.
To nurture creative movement artists, effective communicators, and assets to our community. These skills are developed through the collaborative nature of learning aerial and ground vocabulary, or putting together performances.
To foster a non-competitive and empowering atmosphere which supports a wide range of body types and skill levels in achievement.
To create young culture-makers who value the arts, and participate in a range of creative activities in the circus arts.
teaching creativity
In the circus, every performance is more than your average recital. Kids in our youth and teen program have opportunities each year to perform in small and large shows, supporting the development of their creative expression with guidance, as well as teaching responsibility and teamwork in a non-competitive space.
FAQs
What experience does my child need to get started?
1
None! Students will build strength and coordination as they learn. Our classes use progressive curriculum, meaning we build upon the skills we learn, and over time, progress to new goals. Skills can be adjusted to made easier or more difficult depending on the student’s needs.
what is the youth sampler class?
2
The Youth Intro to Aerial Sampler is a beginner class for youth that covers all the introductory skills in aerial, giving students a chance to try each of our core apparatus offerings. No experience needed! This class is recommended for absolute beginners prior to taking the regular Level 1 youth classes, but it is not required to take Level 1 classes.
Youth and teen aerial 4-week session packages are $80. All-ages ground skills 4-week session packages are $80 or $25 for a drop-in. If interested in more than one 4-week session class, we also offer bundle discounts!
HOW MUCH ARE youth & teen CLASSES?
3
How long are youth classes, what is the commitment and studio schedule?
4
Classes meet once a week on their scheduled day/time. Youth and teen aerial classes are 60 minutes and run in 4-week sessions with a one-week break afterward (no drop-ins or make-up classes at this time). All-ages ground skills classes are 60 minutes and can be taken either as a 4-week session or drop-ins are available.
youth/teen Level 2 Class PreRequisites
Leveling up expands student’s vocabulary and increases difficulty on any apparatus or ground skill.
Level 2 or intermediate classes can only be taken with instructor clearance.
Silks 2
Prerequisite: Put foot knots on in the air without assistance, 3 different climbs without assistance, inversion on silks.
LYRA 2
Prerequisite: Dolphin over unassisted, 3 straight-leg straddle-ups, sequence, be able to sequence at least 6 moves together, and comfortably stay in the air for 2 minutes without assistance.