FOUNDATION COURSE IN CIRCUS ARTS SPRING 2020
WHO ARE AERIAL EDGE? We are Glasgow’s Circus School. The largest recreational circus school in Scotland. Offering a high level of circus training to the public since 2007. Our core belief is to offer ‘Circus for All’ regardless of age or ability. Now in our 12th year, Aerial Edge has attracted a highly regarded teaching team as well as a dedicated student base from across Scotland and further afield.
Our highly trained coaches have a varied background in circus arts and include previous teachers from the National Centre for Circus Arts (London), Circomedia (Bristol) and École National de Cirque (Montreal). They have trained and performed across the world working with organisations, ranging from Cirque du Soleil to Scottish Ballet. Previous students of Aerial Edge and this Foundation Course have gone on to study at Circomedia and the National Centre for Circus Arts as well as perform in Festivals across Scotland.
What is the foundation Course?
The Aerial Edge Foundation Course in Circus Arts is a carefully designed intensive course that ensures each individual student can reach their maximum potential over the 4-month period -gaining strength, flexibility and proficiency in a wide variety of circus skills - from juggling, tightwire and unicycle to flying trapeze, silks and trampoline. This is not a boot camp like most other courses. Our highly trained coaches use the latest knowledge in elite training to make sure that you stay in one piece while continuing to progress as fast as possible!
A major focus of this course is put on developing essential knowledge in areas of biomechanics, physiology and anatomy so that students can continue to push their own development forward after the course and keep training smarter.
Why do the foundation Course? Training with world-class coaches in one of the UK's most exceptional facilities, the sky's the limit as far as you're concerned! Students choose to do the course for different reasons: • Planning to apply for a longer degree program • Looking to pick up extra skills • A period of intensive training • Just starting out their circus journey • Chance to work creatively (course culminates in final ‘graduation’ show) No matter your reasons for taking the course, we take the utmost care to make sure that you get the most out your time here and will also help you look at future options. You'll leave with new abilities, new skills, new knowledge and new friends.
Course Breakdown With over 450 hours of technical training over 16 weeks, this is one of the most intensive and best value for money circus courses the UK has to offer.
Monthly Overview: Weeks 1-4 Intro to apparatus, skills and techniques Weeks 5-8 Further development of core material Weeks 9-12 Addition of solo act development Weeks 13-16 Addition of group show development
As well as practical training you’ll also learn theory to provide insight and understanding to everything you do. Students will learn topics ranging from Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology and Anatomy to Performance and History.
We also bring in industry professionals to host specialist workshops for our foundation course students. Previous workshops have included Makeup, Clowning, Dance, Rigging and Business Skills.
Where could this lead me? This Foundation Course can lead participants in a variety of directions depending on their personal aims for the course!
A Career! Previously we’ve had students successfully pursue full time circus degrees with aspirations to become circus industry professionals.
Performance Opportunities! Students who participate in this course with an intermediate level of circus skills may discover their love for performing! Previous foundation course students have gone on to perform at gigs and festivals.
Teaching! Maybe you already teach some basic skills and want to learn more to bring back to your own students? We’ve previously had circus teachers take this course and seen them use these skills in their own onward teachings!
Applying for the Foundation Course Applying to this course is quick and easy! You will find a link to the Foundation Course application pack on our website at the bottom of the page. aerialedge.co.uk/foundation-course
The application form consists of some basic questions that will help us to get to know you and your level so that we know where to start everyone off at!
Applicants are also welcome to send us any photos and videos that show off their skills. Don’t worry to much if you don’t have anything, this course is open to people of all levels providing they are over the age of 16!
Please send all application forms to info@aerialedge.co.uk
Course Fees The cost of the course is £2999 for the full 16 weeks. (That’s only £750/ month or £187.5/ week!). Course fees are payable in full or in 2 instalments: £1500 first deposit paid at the start of the course and £1499 paid mid-way through
Entry requirements: Candidates must be over 16 years of age and have a demonstrable track record in physical training whether in dance, gymnastics, circus, sports, or other relevant discipline.
Candidates applying from outside of the UK may submit a video showreel with their application instead of attending any pre-course meetings in person.
Location Aerial Edge is situated in Glasgow’s West End within The Kelvin Hall, a building with enormous circus significance as it was once home to the annual Robert Brothers Circus and Carnival from 1924 1987. Just a stone’s throw from The University of Glasgow, the picturesque Kelvingrove Park, Kelvingrove Museum and trendy Finneston area. We are located close to all major transport links with Kelvinhall Underground and Partick train stations less than 10 minutes walk away, our venue is ideally situated for residents and visitors alike.
Glasgow is a vibrant, busy city which a has a thriving art scene, and many multi disciplinary collaborations and exhibitions to be found. During August, you can take a short train ride to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe: now the biggest arts festival in the world, with a dedicated Circus Hub where the most world renowned companies come to perform. In addition to the fantastic cultural experiences the city has to offer, Glasgow is much more affordable than most major UK cities with much lower average rent and utility costs. As if you needed any more reason to move here!
If you would like any further advise on Glasgow or relocating to Glasgow please get in touch and we’d be happy to give you further information
Our Space Aerial Edge has it’s own dedicated, full-time space within Kelvin Hall which boasts high ceilings and open areas. With dedicated areas for ground-based and aerial disciplines we offer a highly adaptable space able to accommodate nearly any circus circus discipline. We’ve got so much height that we can easily fit a flying trapeze rig in here with room to spare!
Our eight metre aerial rig, alongside our dedicated swinging and flying trapeze rigs offer flexibility and freedom to discover, learn and hone any discipline you find yourself enjoying. Our sprung floor, alongside our dance floor, offers students the ability to safely train anything from handstands to acrobalance, parkour to cyr wheel. Looking for some trampoline? No worries, we’ve got them too!
For those of you who want a more technical breakdown of the space (such as the types of aerial points we have) don’t hesitate to ask!
Get in touch today!
Got questions about the course? Need assistance with your application? Just fancy a chat? We’d love to hear from you!
Contact our friendly team by email: info@aerialedge.co.uk or phone: 0141 433 8006
All information produced in this document is copyright to Aerial Edge Circus School 2019. Please note: that the images used have been taken from across our recreational programme, foundation course and other related events. All images are copyright to Aerial Edge taken by Richard Walker.