Elsie Smith has performed with many well known companies including Cirque du Soleil, and received a Special Award at the China Wuqiau International Circus Festival in 2007 and the Bronze Medal at the 1st International Festival de Circo en Albacete, Spain in 2008. She is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the New England Center for Circus Arts and runs a performing company, Nimble Arts, with her aerial partner and twin sister, Serenity Smith. She is a certified trampoline and german wheel teacher, and co-created the NA Aerial Teacher Certification Program, and consults in aerial safety matters with the American Youth Circus Organization/American Circus Educators Organization. In 2016 she and her sister won the American Circus Educator’s Award for Excellence in Education and the Walter Cerf Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts from the Vermont Arts Council.
Study with Elsie at ADF 2019!
| Lyra & Tippy Lyra: The Art & Challenge of the Circle Immersion: Week A: Mon, July 29 – Fri, August 2 | 9am-12pm |
This workshop is a deep exploration and an opportunity to combine dropping, rolling and power skills. We’ll work through technical drills and building blocks necessary for bigger skills while also exploring creative sequencing and the application of spin. We will explore the unpredictable and exciting “tippy” lyra, consider the differences between double and single point lyra, and try to answer the age old question “does size matter”?
| Partnering in the Air: Lyra & Trapeze Week B: Mon, August 5 – Fri, August 9 | 3:00 – 4:30 pm |
Using static trapezes and lyras, we’ll explore traditional and non-traditional methods of sharing space and body weight in the air. Come solo or with an existing partner and be ready for creative exploration. You’ll also learn drills and building blocks for some of those tricks you’ve always wanted to try! Activities are designed to encourage participants of all sizes to “fly” and “base” in new takes on these standard roles.
| Preparing Your Body/Recovering Your Body: Injury Prevention for Aerialists and Acrobats Week B: Mon, August 5 – Fri, August 9 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm |
Get ready to fill up your training toolbox with drills and skills that you can take with you and do anywhere. A great way to wind down your day, this class will focus on learning stretching and strengthening for the whole body. We’ll include a variety of exercises and discuss variations for individual needs. This workshop is for athletes and acrobats of all ability levels and is great cross training information for all sports, and for the sport of life. This is also an excellent workshop for teachers looking to deepen their ability to meet the needs of their students.
| Lyra/Hoop: Up, Down, and All Around: Int/Adv Week A: Mon, July 29 – Fri, August 2 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm OR Week B: Mon, August 5 – Fri, August 9 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm |
For students with basic lyra skills who are comfortable with the apparatus but are looking for deeper exploration and technical vocabulary. We’ll explore sequences and mix that up with good old strength skills and “drops”. You’ll learn drills and building blocks for some of those tricks you’ve always wanted to try and have tools to take home with you so your learning keeps going even after the workshop has ended!