Classes

We will explore the basics of aerial fabric and aerial hoop with Afro-Beats and Calypso on repeat. No experience necessary. Ideal for BIPOC folks who may be looking to learn new skills while building strength and endurance, and of course interested in having fun. This is a great way to build strength without realizing it! Our amazing instructors ensure everyone gets individual attention while keeping the class collaborative. Please wear comfortable clothing that covers your skin (e.g. leggings and a long sleeve top is fine!).

A multi-apparatus “technique” class, where we work on improving technique on multiple apparatuses. Skills covered may include climbs; beats; front and back balances; toe, heel, ankle, and knee hangs; inversion technique; drop technique; and transitions.

Burlesque Basics: This all-bodies, all-genders, adult burlesque course covers the basics of the burlesque dance vocabulary and the classic starting peels: gloves, stockings, boas, shirts and bras. Learn how to establish a playful connection with your audience and turn up the volume on your self-confidence and sex appeal. This course involves learning a burlesque dance routine from start to finish, plus an introduction to the art of spinning tassels. Recommended for first timers or experienced artists looking for a new perspective on their foundational skills. Wear form fitting clothing that you can move in. If you opt for shoes, make sure they are secure on your foot and well-balanced. For week 4 and onwards, students are required to supply their own stockings, buttoned shirts and bras, due to the highly individualized nature of sizing in these items. Moves that are typically taught standing can be adapted to chair or floor to accommodate individual needs and styles of artistic expression. Peels that have societally-gendered connotations (ie. bras) can be changed to suit individual needs in cases of gender dysphoria or simple lack of interest. All bodies are burlesque bodies, and class content will reflect the needs and interests of those in attendance. The class will be taught in spoken verbal English.

Intermediate: Take your tease to the next level! This course covers more complex peels, burlesque styles and sub-disciplines, as well as how to innovate common tropes and archetypes with the art form. This course involves learning a burlesque dance routine from start to finish.
Recommended for those who have completed Burlesque Basics, or individuals with cross-disciplinary performance experience.

We begin with a full body mobility warm up. After the warm up, we teach various drills and exercises for the core and muscles that support the spine. These movements prepare the spine and core to handle the forces that the body is typically exposed to in aerial, handstand, partner acrobatics and non-circus specific athletics. We also use drills to expand and control increasing ranges of motion throughout the body with a focus on shapes such as pike, straddle, splits, backbends, etc.

This is an all levels class designed to get you more comfortable balancing on your hands (or whatever parts you are balancing on). After an upper-body focused warmup, we’ll work on shoulder strength and mobility as well as handstand drills and skills according to your level. Beginners will work on getting up the wall and building shoulder strength, while intermediate students will work with and without the wall to find their balance and explore shapes in handstands.

Intended for performers who wish to participate in the upcoming Studio Showcase in June, this weekly rehearsal time slot is dedicated to character development, theatricality and movement work. In addition to skill-building exercises and directorial guidance in developing their material, artists who register for the weekly Rehearsal session will have the option to participate in the choreographed group segments in the Showcase. While select weeks may include co-facilitation by KCA Instructors, these weekly Rehearsal slots are not intended for learning or practicing new or burgeoning aerial moves, but rather for applying existing skills to the context of the show. Each individual artist, regardless of age or experience, will be encouraged to develop their own character within the confines of the theme of the show, and Rhapsody is available to help with this conceptualization and exploration process.

Role-playing and Embodiment Through Dance

Come hop with the herd, fly with the flock and swim with the school! This fun and imaginative class introduces the principles of character-based movement through the inspiration offered by the animal kingdom. Relish in uninhibited expression, move your body, and rediscover the joys of playing pretend.

Perfect for the young and the young at heart, especially those interested in dance or theatre, this class offers modifications for different levels of movement practices, ages and bodies.

Rainbow Riot is an all-bodies, all-genders dance troupe that seeks to explore themes of queer liberation, self acceptance and courage through dance. Routines are collaboratively choreographed with a view to celebrating the individual talents and abilities of each dancer, while also moving together as a group.

Rainbow Riot is fun but also performance focused: opportunities for public performance may occur during annual Pride Festival Season.

No prior dance experience nor any particular kind of body is required. Seated dancers, dancers with mobility aids, and assisted dancers welcome.

A Workout Workshop on Vintage Platform, Go-Go and Cage Dance

Welcome to your crash course in Go-Go dancing. Learn high energy moves from the psychedelic sixties to the nightclubs of today. This class is sure to get your blood pumping with bumps and shimmies made famous through vintage and modern platform, gogo and cage dance! You’ll break a sweat, and you’ll learn the technique needed to dance full gogo cycles, just the way modern gogo dancers survive hours-long shifts.

All bodies and all levels of cardiovascular fitness welcome, modifications offered for those seeking a gentler (or more challenging!) experience.

Supportive/running style shoes are recommended for those who dance on their feet.

Come explore, skill share, condition, and co-create with your Circus Arts community for a monthly Flow Jam – sessions will run 2.5 hours in length and be accompanied by music. Only floor work (handstands/acro/flow props) will be allowed during this time. There will be no formal teaching, as this time is primarily intended to explore and play with peers, though informal guidance and mini tutorials on flow arts(props) will be provided on the spot by Katie. Hula hoops and poi are available to use at the studio, though students are encouraged to bring their own props should they have access. Katie will bring a selection of her own flow props (dragon staff, fans, rope dart, s-staffs, juggling balls, flow wands, double staves) to lend out at her discretion (some props are expensive and need to be treated with care). Jams are LED and disco friendly, costumes are welcome – as well as people of every skill level, including those totally new to flow arts.