As part of its ongoing efforts to promote performance arts in the Centre Region, the Phoenix Academy of Performing Arts of Pennsylvania will present a two-week intensive summer workshop, “Introduction to Silks,” a type of aerial acrobatics performed while hanging from a fabric.
The workshop will take place June 20-30 in the academy’s home at 118 Hawbaker Industrial Drive, Patton Township.
Renowned performance artist Jillian St. Germain will provide an introduction to the world of aerial fabrics. During her circus performance career, St. Germain fell in love with aerial silks, leading to it and and its sister apparatus, aerial hammock, becoming her specialties.
The two-days-a-week workshop will give students an opportunity to begin to learn the primary skills, safety, strength and flexibility required to work with aerial silks. The goal of the workshop is to help give students the key components and to introduce an understanding of how aerial silks work, while helping them accomplish the skills being taught in a positive and encouraging learning environment, according to Dmitry Myers, Phoenix Academy circus arts program and creative director.
“We are so pleased to be able to bring Jillian here for this workshop,” Myers said. “She is passionate about choreographing and teaching and brings an impressive background with such companies as Ballet NY, Urban Ballet Theatre, AntiGravity Entertainment, Boston Ballet, Aerial Artistry, and BodyVox.
“Jillian is a world class talent who co-founded two multi-disciplinary collaborative performance companies, most recently 3Names in 2015 with me and Brandon ‘Smooth’ Morales. We are fortunate she is available to do this.”
Workshops will be presented from 5:30 to 7 p.m Mondays and Wednesdays for youth (6-12 years) and 5:30 to 7 p.m Tuesdays and Thursdays for teens and adults. The cost for all four sessions is $249 per participant with a $25 discount for each additional family member. Those who enroll in the workshop will receive a $25 discount for the 2022-2023 school year class registration fee.
To register, visit www.phoenixacademystatecollege.com/events.
Phoenix Academy opened its new facility in November, offering instruction for children, teens and adults in gymnastics, dance and, for the first time in the region, circus arts.
