New England Center for Circus Arts

Considering Vermont hasn’t a single pole dance studio, you can imagine my surprise when I discovered my lovely state is home to a world-class training program in circus skills.

So, it is with great delight that I introduce you to Elsie Smith of the
New England Center for Circus Arts!

How did you discover the circus and trapeze?

I first discovered the flying trapeze at Club Med, and then got more involved when I was a counselor at a summer camp. It was there that I was trained to help teach the campers in a variety of circus acts, and supporting skills like rigging.

What made you open a school specializing in circus arts?

My twin sister and I were part of the founding and early years at the San Francisco Circus Center. We taught for a while before we got into performing together. So after we finished our tour with Cirque du Soleil and moved to Vermont, we needed a place to train. We started working out at a gymnastics school and some people started asking us to teach, so we agreed to teach some private lessons. Eventually, we offered a few classes and then eventually grew into our school. Once we had some community based classes going, we realized that we wanted to offer higher level training for students who were excited about the skills, but needed more comprehensive training to get to a more professional level with their skills. So, we developed our Intensive & Professional Track Training programs, our Teacher Training workshops, and our Residency program.

Which circus arts would you recommend to a pole dancer?

Well, the Chinese pole is a definite option! I think that pole dancers also enjoy aerial rope and fabric, but handstands are a great cross training option, as well. And, of course, any flexibility work is really beneficial.

How are the movements and posture needed for aerial silks different from those needed for pole dancing?

Because the pole is fixed in place, and aerial apparatus move, the way that the shoulders work on the apparatus is very different. Pole is closer in nature to ground-based acts like handbalancing and tumbling. In our teaching, we offer a lot of injury prevention information, taking into consideration the various ways that the human anatomy can work, and how it should best work to make each skill easier.

What are the main differences between Chinese pole and pole dancing?

The Chinese Pole is thicker in diameter, and is generally fixed in place. Recent variations in the Chinese pole include poles that are attached at the top that can swing, and variations in the dancing pole include spinning options. In terms of the skills, Chinese pole showcases raw strength and tumbling ability (especially when jumping from pole to pole). But presentation seems to be the biggest difference between the two forms.

How do you take care of yourself, given all the classes you teach?

I am fully involved in teaching and performing aerial circus skills. I run daily for aerobic fitness, and to heat up my body for my stretching and flexibility work. I try to train three hours a day, five to six days a week, usually a 30-minute run, 45 minutes of stretching, and the rest of the time on various conditioning and sequencing work. But often because of my schedule this is not possible. So I have a few Injury Prevention exercises that I make sure I do even whan I can’t get a full workout in.

Favorite makeup tip:

Olive oil is the best way to take off make up: you can buy the cheap stuff anywhere in the world, and it doesn’t have chemicals in it. The other thing I just discovered is the Miracle Cloth, which takes off make up with water. I’m always reminding my students to remember their eyebrows: either filling them in for definitiion, or running a white line under them to raise them off the eyes.

Performance pet peeves:

People who wear black !on stage!! And open mouths because the performer forgot what to do with their face, and people who apologize with their body as they exit after a presentation, instead of keeping the exit mood in line with that of the performance.

Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:

A hot (HOT) bath every night before bed.

Who would you most like to have in the audience when you perform?

An audience member who didn’t expect to be at the show, and didn’t have in their mind beforehand what they were going to see. Last week I had the pleasure of performing at a “corporate” event, where I was on the silks in an aisle at a trade show. There was no fancy lighting, and people just came upon me as I was working, when they heard my music start to play. I had four people come up to me after and say that I made them cry. One woman had come from the hospital where her mother was dying, and she was just expecting to go to the trade show, and instead she was presented with something raw and emotional that brought her into connection with her stong emotions. I was able to touch her in a unique way precisely because she did not know she was going to be seeing a show.

Who is your hero or role model?

I don’t have one hero or role model. But I really appreciate people who can live a simple life, and can change the lives of others through simple, caring actions. I’ve always appreciated the simple, subtle quality of
Audrey Hepburn, who was a lady, lived simply, donated her time to those less fortunate than she, and had huge talent that she allowed to shine brightly without overshadowing it by having a huge personality. Humility is a wonderful thing!

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

“You go, girl” is something I say often, but I think “you CAN do it” is my favorite thing to say.

Favorite pizza toppings:

Garlic and spinach.

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Ice cream!!! My husband makes gallons of homemade ice cream! I tell him it’s so I can get enought calcium in my diet ….

Anything else you’d like to share:

I try to remind my students that even though these art forms may be new to you, they have been around for a long time. There is a lineage to what we learn, and to what you are being taught, and it’s good to acknowledge this. Be inspired by other people, but don’t copy their work.

If you’re in New England – or can arrange to be – learn from the masters with Elsie and the New England Center for Circus Arts.

Tags: Pole Dance, Pole Dancing

October 29, 2009 - Posted by PoleSkivvies No Comments
Filed under: Pole Dancing Instructors