Ellen's Circus School Fund
Donation protected
When I started taking aerial silk classes almost 4 years ago, many people jokingly asked whether I was going to join the circus. At the time, I just laughed with them and said, "no, it's just a fun hobby!" But it's not a joke or a hobby anymore. I found my passion in the circus arts.
After I opened Cirque Dakota in February of 2016, I knew I would need to continue my own training in order to advance the business and offer students professional-quality instruction. Sporadic travel with private lessons, workshops, and teacher trainings just wasn't cutting it anymore. And so I applied, auditioned, and was accepted into a 9-month full-time training program at Aloft Loft in Chicago.
That's right. I'm going to circus school!
How will my donation help?
I've got tuition covered thanks to my kick-ass parents who saved up money for my and my brother's education. (Woohoo!) But living in Chicago for 9 months is not going to be cheap. Your donations will help pay for my living expenses like rent, utilities, food, and transportation.
I will continue to work part-time as a remote analyst, but I will still need to take out a loan in order to make ends meet. Whatever amount you can donate, be it now or in a couple months, will be greatly appreciated!
About the Program
The program runs from September 2017-June 2018. Three weeks a month are devoted to intense training (8.5 hours/day) combining advanced level work in juggling, acrobatics, dance, physical theater, trampoline/tramp/wall, aerial and more with open training and privates in a major area of focus (mine is aerial). One week/month is turned completely over to a guest artist. Each of the guest artists are renowned and experienced in a wide array of circus making, from international festivals, show creation, act development and more.
The final two months of the program (April and May) will culminate in the creation of a brand new circus show, featuring each student’s feature act and a barrage of ensemble pieces highlighting the extensive technique we will accomplish in all aspects of circus. (Psst, if you're looking for an excuse to visit Chicago, the final performances will be June 3-4, 2018.)
Then what?
Upon my return to Sioux Falls next June, I'll be able to offer professional-quality entertainment and a wider variety of classes at Cirque Dakota. However, this program will not only expand my circus skillset, but it will also expand my network. It is my hope to bring in several artists a year to collaborate, perform, and host workshops and private lessons. As the students at Cirque Dakota continue to advance and the Sioux Falls circus community grows, so will the opportunities for performance, guest instructors, and workshops!
Okay...but what about Cirque Dakota now?
Cirque Dakota will continue to offer classes in my absence. I'm very excited to announce that Joscelyne Gonzalez will be joining Cirque Dakota staff as an instructor. Joscelyne has been a student at Cirque Dakota since June of 2016, but had trained in aerial fabric previously in Mexico. We have been working together since the beginning of the year, and though our original intention was for her to take over one or two classes a week, I am beyond grateful for her willingness to offer more.
And I will continue to manage the business from afar. Of course, this won't be without a little clunkiness, so I thank everyone in advance for your patience as Joscelyne settles into her new role as instructor!
If you have any questions about Cirque Dakota, please email [email redacted] or message Cirque Dakota on Facebook, and I will answer everyone as soon as possible.
More Thank Yous:
· To my parents for not only supporting me financially by paying for tuition, but for believing in me and not laughing at me when I said I wanted to go to circus school.
· To my boyfriend, Paul for putting together my audition video, for being my biggest cheerleader, and for all the work you do for Cirque Dakota (photography, videography, website maintenance, and washing silks just to name a few...). I could not have done this without you.
· To Joscelyne for your willingness and desire to teach. I can’t wait to see how far you’ll come in the next nine months!
· To Lindsey for being the phenomenal face of Cirque Dakota on social media, for being my sounding board on business matters, and for always keeping classes interesting.
· To Dennis and Kathy for allowing me to rent space at Power & Grace for an incredibly reasonable price and helping me get Cirque Dakota off the ground. Pun intended.
· To Samara for keeping Cat and Paul company, for putting up with my stress, and for being so flexible about breaking our lease.
· To Jessica Johnson for introducing aerial arts to me and for being such a wonderful instructor and role model.
· To my cousin, John McClellan for filming acro with me for my application and being a stellar base #circuscousins.
· To my boss, Marijo Storment for allowing me the flexibility to work remotely and for believing in Cirque Dakota from the start.
· To my therapist, Stacy, for keeping me grounded (emotionally at least) and for helping me navigate multiple career changes that all ultimately led back to circus.
· To all the students at Cirque Dakota for making Sundays my favorite day of the week, for trusting in my abilities as an instructor, and for sharing my passion for circus. I cannot wait to bring back new material for you all next year!
· And a huge thank you to everyone that has offered support, both emotional and financial. Even if you are unable to help financially, your words of encouragement mean more than you realize. And to everyone that is able to donate, thank you for giving me the peace of mind to pursue this opportunity of a lifetime. THANK YOU!
More
The Audition Video
My routine from Cirque Dakota's Student Showcase in January 2017
Want to keep up with my Circus adventures? Follow me on Instagram! @aerialellen
After I opened Cirque Dakota in February of 2016, I knew I would need to continue my own training in order to advance the business and offer students professional-quality instruction. Sporadic travel with private lessons, workshops, and teacher trainings just wasn't cutting it anymore. And so I applied, auditioned, and was accepted into a 9-month full-time training program at Aloft Loft in Chicago.
That's right. I'm going to circus school!
How will my donation help?
I've got tuition covered thanks to my kick-ass parents who saved up money for my and my brother's education. (Woohoo!) But living in Chicago for 9 months is not going to be cheap. Your donations will help pay for my living expenses like rent, utilities, food, and transportation.
I will continue to work part-time as a remote analyst, but I will still need to take out a loan in order to make ends meet. Whatever amount you can donate, be it now or in a couple months, will be greatly appreciated!
About the Program
The program runs from September 2017-June 2018. Three weeks a month are devoted to intense training (8.5 hours/day) combining advanced level work in juggling, acrobatics, dance, physical theater, trampoline/tramp/wall, aerial and more with open training and privates in a major area of focus (mine is aerial). One week/month is turned completely over to a guest artist. Each of the guest artists are renowned and experienced in a wide array of circus making, from international festivals, show creation, act development and more.
The final two months of the program (April and May) will culminate in the creation of a brand new circus show, featuring each student’s feature act and a barrage of ensemble pieces highlighting the extensive technique we will accomplish in all aspects of circus. (Psst, if you're looking for an excuse to visit Chicago, the final performances will be June 3-4, 2018.)
Then what?
Upon my return to Sioux Falls next June, I'll be able to offer professional-quality entertainment and a wider variety of classes at Cirque Dakota. However, this program will not only expand my circus skillset, but it will also expand my network. It is my hope to bring in several artists a year to collaborate, perform, and host workshops and private lessons. As the students at Cirque Dakota continue to advance and the Sioux Falls circus community grows, so will the opportunities for performance, guest instructors, and workshops!
Okay...but what about Cirque Dakota now?
Cirque Dakota will continue to offer classes in my absence. I'm very excited to announce that Joscelyne Gonzalez will be joining Cirque Dakota staff as an instructor. Joscelyne has been a student at Cirque Dakota since June of 2016, but had trained in aerial fabric previously in Mexico. We have been working together since the beginning of the year, and though our original intention was for her to take over one or two classes a week, I am beyond grateful for her willingness to offer more.
And I will continue to manage the business from afar. Of course, this won't be without a little clunkiness, so I thank everyone in advance for your patience as Joscelyne settles into her new role as instructor!
If you have any questions about Cirque Dakota, please email [email redacted] or message Cirque Dakota on Facebook, and I will answer everyone as soon as possible.
More Thank Yous:
· To my parents for not only supporting me financially by paying for tuition, but for believing in me and not laughing at me when I said I wanted to go to circus school.
· To my boyfriend, Paul for putting together my audition video, for being my biggest cheerleader, and for all the work you do for Cirque Dakota (photography, videography, website maintenance, and washing silks just to name a few...). I could not have done this without you.
· To Joscelyne for your willingness and desire to teach. I can’t wait to see how far you’ll come in the next nine months!
· To Lindsey for being the phenomenal face of Cirque Dakota on social media, for being my sounding board on business matters, and for always keeping classes interesting.
· To Dennis and Kathy for allowing me to rent space at Power & Grace for an incredibly reasonable price and helping me get Cirque Dakota off the ground. Pun intended.
· To Samara for keeping Cat and Paul company, for putting up with my stress, and for being so flexible about breaking our lease.
· To Jessica Johnson for introducing aerial arts to me and for being such a wonderful instructor and role model.
· To my cousin, John McClellan for filming acro with me for my application and being a stellar base #circuscousins.
· To my boss, Marijo Storment for allowing me the flexibility to work remotely and for believing in Cirque Dakota from the start.
· To my therapist, Stacy, for keeping me grounded (emotionally at least) and for helping me navigate multiple career changes that all ultimately led back to circus.
· To all the students at Cirque Dakota for making Sundays my favorite day of the week, for trusting in my abilities as an instructor, and for sharing my passion for circus. I cannot wait to bring back new material for you all next year!
· And a huge thank you to everyone that has offered support, both emotional and financial. Even if you are unable to help financially, your words of encouragement mean more than you realize. And to everyone that is able to donate, thank you for giving me the peace of mind to pursue this opportunity of a lifetime. THANK YOU!
More
The Audition Video
My routine from Cirque Dakota's Student Showcase in January 2017
Want to keep up with my Circus adventures? Follow me on Instagram! @aerialellen
Organizer
Ellen Davis
Organizer
Sioux Falls, SD
