Have you ever watched circus performers with their incredible strength, grace, and seemingly effortless movements, and thought, "Wow, I wish I could do that"? Well, in Somerville, Massachusetts, there's a place where those kinds of aspirations truly take shape. Esh Circus Arts, a very vibrant studio, is more than just a training facility; it's a community where people of all ages and skill levels can discover the magic of circus arts. It's almost like a hub for physical expression and creative spirit, offering a welcoming space for anyone keen on exploring something quite different and exciting.
This amazing place, you know, has become a real cornerstone for the circus arts scene in the greater Boston area. It's a spot where you can learn to soar on aerial silks, balance with incredible precision, or just find a new way to move your body. For many, it's a chance to build confidence, get strong, and connect with others who share a passion for this unique art form. There's a lot of joy to be found in learning these skills, and it's rather inspiring to see what people can achieve.
Whether you're a complete beginner looking for a fun new hobby, or perhaps someone with a background in gymnastics or dance wanting to try something a little bit new, Esh Circus Arts really does have something for you. It's a very supportive environment where instructors help you every step of the way, making sure you feel comfortable and challenged. So, if you've been curious about the circus, this is definitely a place to check out.
Table of Contents
The Heart of Esh Circus Arts: A Look Inside
Where You Can Find Them
The Training Space
Who Finds a Home at Esh Circus Arts?
Programs for Young Enthusiasts
Opportunities for Adults
For the Aspiring Professionals
What You Can Learn and Do There
Ground-Based Skills
Taking to the Air
Specialized Training
The Talented People Behind the Scenes
Experienced Coaches Leading the Way
Inspiring Journeys of the Staff
Making Training Accessible
Open Studio Hours
Renting Space for Practice
Staying Connected and Informed
Weather Updates and Cancellations
Getting in Touch
Frequently Asked Questions About Esh Circus Arts
Ready to Join the Circus Family?
The Heart of Esh Circus Arts: A Look Inside
Esh Circus Arts, you know, isn't just a name; it's a very tangible place where incredible things happen. It's a facility designed specifically for the unique demands of circus training, offering a safe and stimulating environment for everyone who walks through its doors. This place, in a way, feels like a dedicated hub for creativity and movement, truly built for learning these amazing skills.
Where You Can Find Them
This wonderful studio is located right in the heart of Somerville, Massachusetts. It's a very convenient spot, only a few minutes' walk from some pretty well-known areas like Harvard, Porter, and Union Squares. This central location makes it quite easy for people from all over the Boston area and beyond to get there, whether they're coming from work, school, or home. It’s a location that, you know, really connects the community to this unique art form.
The Training Space
The facility itself is quite impressive, boasting a generous 5,000 square feet of space. This size allows for a wide range of activities to happen simultaneously, so you can often see different classes going on at once. A key feature of the studio, and it's a really important one, is its adjustable rigging points. These allow for various aerial apparatuses to be set up at different heights and configurations, making it possible to teach many different aerial disciplines. Also, for safety and comfort, the floors are padded throughout the training areas, which is pretty essential for acrobatics and tumbling. This thoughtful design, in some respects, truly supports a safe and effective learning experience.
Who Finds a Home at Esh Circus Arts?
One of the really special things about Esh Circus Arts is how it welcomes such a wide range of people. It’s not just for professional performers or kids who have been doing gymnastics since they were tiny. Actually, it's a place where people of many different ages and backgrounds can find something they love. It's a community that, you know, celebrates everyone's journey in movement.
Programs for Young Enthusiasts
For kids and teens, there's a fantastic youth summer program available at Esh Circus Arts. This program is for young people aged 5 to 16, and it offers them a chance to explore many different parts of the circus arts. They get to try things like ground acrobatics, which is all about moving on the floor, and aerial acrobatics, which involves skills in the air. Tumbling is also a part of it, so they learn to roll and flip safely. It's a very active and fun way for young people to spend their summer, learning new skills and making friends. This program, you know, really ignites a passion for movement early on.
Opportunities for Adults
Adults, too, find plenty of opportunities to learn and grow at Esh. Whether you're looking for a unique way to get fit, try a new hobby, or even just meet some new people, there are classes for all levels. You don't need any prior experience to start, which is pretty great. Many adults come to Esh looking for something different from a traditional gym workout, and they find the challenge and creativity of circus arts to be very rewarding. It’s a very supportive environment for adult learners, allowing them to progress at their own pace. So, it's a place where grown-ups can play and learn, too.
For the Aspiring Professionals
For those who are serious about making circus arts their career, Esh offers a professional preparatory program. This program is designed to give students the intensive training they need to pursue circus full-time. Ezra, for example, is a testament to this program's success. After graduating from the Esh professional preparatory program in 2022, Ezra took the plunge and left their tech job to pursue circus full time, and they couldn’t be happier about that decision. It's a very rigorous program that helps people turn their passion into a profession, which is pretty inspiring. This path, you know, really sets people up for a life in the performing arts.
What You Can Learn and Do There
Esh Circus Arts offers a wide array of disciplines, so there's truly something for everyone to try. It's not just about one type of skill; it's about exploring the many different facets of what makes circus arts so captivating. You can really get a feel for the variety of movements and expressions possible here. So, let's look at some of the things you might discover.
Ground-Based Skills
On the ground, students can learn various forms of acrobatics. This includes partner acrobatics, where two or more people work together to create shapes and balances. Karen Sokolow, for instance, discovered her excitement for the circus during her freshman year at Vassar College when the extracurricular circus arts club offered an opportunity to learn partner acrobatics. There's also tumbling, which involves rolls, flips, and other dynamic movements. These ground skills are pretty foundational and build strength, flexibility, and coordination. They are, you know, a very important starting point for many.
Taking to the Air
Aerial acrobatics is a huge part of what Esh offers, and it's often what people first imagine when they think of the circus. Students can learn on various apparatuses, including aerial rope, which Ellen focused on during her professional program at the New England Center of Circus Arts. The adjustable rigging points in the facility make it possible to teach many different aerial disciplines safely and effectively. Learning to move in the air is a very unique experience, combining strength, artistry, and a bit of bravery. It’s a truly captivating part of the circus world, and it’s very popular.
Specialized Training
Beyond the basics, Esh also provides opportunities for more specialized training. Hand balancing, for example, is another discipline that Ellen focused on. This involves balancing on your hands, often in various challenging positions, building incredible upper body strength and core control. The variety of skills taught means that students can truly find their niche and develop their unique talents. It’s a place where, you know, you can really hone a specific skill.
The Talented People Behind the Scenes
The heart of any great learning environment is its instructors, and Esh Circus Arts is no exception. The coaches and staff here bring a wealth of experience, passion, and unique perspectives to their teaching. They are, in a way, the guiding force that helps students grow and succeed. It's pretty clear that they love what they do, and that energy is contagious.
Experienced Coaches Leading the Way
Many of the coaches at Esh have impressive backgrounds and a deep commitment to circus arts. Eileen, for instance, is a senior coach at Esh Circus Arts and has been there for over 10 years. She also owns and operates Seaside Circus Cape Ann in Gloucester, MA, which shows her dedication to the wider circus community. Elizabeth began coaching circus arts in 2007 and has coached, trained, and performed with circus schools all around the country. This kind of experience, you know, truly benefits the students.
Inspiring Journeys of the Staff
The personal stories of the staff are also very inspiring. Becky, for example, found circus after injuries put an end to hard landings in her artistic gymnastics career. She decided that stuck, meaning she found a new passion. Abbie started doing gymnastics as a toddler and competed with her high school team, then trained with her college team at Ohio State. Reba Rosenberg is a former professional ballerina who grew up doing competitive gymnastics and youth circus in addition to her intensive ballet training. Alexis has performed all around the world on cruise ships, with Flynn Creek Circus, Shanghai Circus, and All Wheels Sports, and locally with the Boston Circus Guild as well as Circus 617. Alex Jackson, from Boston, after earning degrees in biology and theater from UMass Amherst, found his passion for rock climbing and being in the air led him to circus. Melissa Knowles lives for collaboration and is passionate about empowering and inspiring people through circus arts. These diverse backgrounds, you know, really enrich the learning environment.
Making Training Accessible
Esh Circus Arts understands that people have different schedules and needs when it comes to training. So, they offer flexible options to help students practice and develop their skills outside of regular classes. It’s a very thoughtful approach to supporting everyone's progress, and it really shows their commitment to the community. You can, you know, find a way to fit practice into your life.
Open Studio Hours
For recreational circus arts students, Esh offers weekly open studio hours. This is a time when students can come in and practice what they've learned in classes, work on specific skills, or just generally train in the supportive environment of the studio. It’s a very valuable opportunity for self-directed practice, allowing students to reinforce their learning and build strength at their own pace. This flexibility, in a way, makes it easier to commit to the training.
Renting Space for Practice
Beyond open studio hours, students who would like to train even more can rent space. This option allows them to book either ground space or an aerial point for $20 per hour. This is pending studio approval, of course, to make sure there’s availability and it’s safe. This rental option is pretty great for those who want more dedicated practice time or need to work on specific acts. It gives them the freedom to train when it suits them, which is very helpful for progress. So, you know, there are options for serious practice.
Staying Connected and Informed
Esh Circus Arts makes it easy for students and interested individuals to stay up-to-date on important information, from class schedules to any changes that might come up. Good communication is pretty key, and they have systems in place to ensure everyone is in the know. It’s a very clear way they manage things, actually.
Weather Updates and Cancellations
When it comes to weather, Esh is very proactive. They will announce class cancellations due to weather at least 2 hours and usually more than 4 hours before the class start time. This gives people plenty of notice, so they don't make unnecessary trips. These cancellations will be posted on the Esh Circus Arts Facebook page, and it's a good idea to check there if the weather looks bad. This system, you know, helps keep everyone safe and informed.
Getting in Touch
For general inquiries or to receive updates, Esh provides clear ways to communicate. You can email them directly with any questions you have. They also offer the option to receive marketing emails from Esh Circus Arts, so you can stay informed about new classes, workshops, and events. This makes it very simple to keep up with what's happening at the studio. It's pretty straightforward to connect with them, actually. You can learn more about circus arts on our site, and perhaps even link to this page about different types of aerial apparatuses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esh Circus Arts
People often have questions when they're considering trying something new like circus arts. Here are some common inquiries about Esh Circus Arts:
Is Esh Circus Arts suitable for beginners with no prior experience?
Absolutely! Esh Circus Arts welcomes students of all levels, including complete beginners. They have classes designed specifically for those just starting out, focusing on foundational skills and building strength safely. The instructors are very patient and supportive, making sure everyone feels comfortable as they learn. So, you know, anyone can give it a try.
What age groups can participate in programs at Esh Circus Arts?
Esh offers programs for a wide range of ages. Their youth summer program, for instance, is for kids and teens aged 5 to 16 years old. For adults, there are various classes available, and you can find many different age groups participating, from young adults to older individuals. It's a place where, you know, age isn't really a barrier to learning.
How can I stay updated on class schedules and studio news?
The best way to stay informed about class schedules, cancellations, and general studio news is to check the Esh Circus Arts Facebook page. They post weather-related cancellations there with plenty of notice. You can also opt to receive marketing emails from them, which is a great way to get updates directly in your inbox. It’s a very simple way to keep in touch, actually.
Ready to Join the Circus Family?
Esh Circus Arts is truly a place where passion meets practice. It's a very supportive community, offering top-notch instruction and a fantastic facility for anyone interested in circus arts. Whether you're looking to get fit, explore a new artistic outlet, or even pursue a professional path, Esh provides the tools and environment to help you succeed. It's a very unique opportunity to learn incredible skills and connect with like-minded people. So, if you've been thinking about trying something different, perhaps it's time to consider what Esh Circus Arts has to offer. You can find out more about their programs and how to get started by visiting their official website. Visit Esh Circus Arts Website. It's a chance to, you know, really discover something amazing.
