Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Waylonis.
Ellen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Esh Circus Arts started in a tiny room behind a CrossFit gym in the Fenway Park area. Since 2010, we’ve grown from an itty-bitty business with a handful of students to the largest circus studio in the Boston area! We’ve been in our current location – a beautiful renovated warehouse space near Union Square – since January of 2014. We offer more than 80 classes each week for adult and youth students in a wide range of circus arts. Our students range from folks who are brand new to movement, to dedicated amateurs, to aspiring professionals-in-training. We strive to be a welcoming, affirming space for all people to experience the magic of being a part of the circus!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think any small business has a “smooth road”! Building Esh has been an incredibly rewarding process, but also full of long hours, hard work, and some serious roadblocks. The biggest setback we encountered was in 2013, when we learned that the building out of which we were operating (at that point, we had moved to a space near Porter Square) was being sold to a developer. We had about four months to find a new location – not an easy feat when you’re a circus school! – complete renovations, and move our entire operation. We were and continue to be so grateful for the support of our students during that crazy time. Our community of students came together to help us in every way imaginable – they contributed to our crowdfunding campaign that allowed us to renovate the new studio, they showed up at Zoning Committee meetings to support us, they helped us move all of our equipment out of the old space and into the new one – they even helped us paint walls and build storage cubbies for the new lobby! Thinking about all of that still brings tears to my eyes. It was amazing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Esh Circus Arts – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m most proud of our community. Esh isn’t just a place to learn circus – for so many folks who take classes with us, it’s a place to push their limits, to feel supported, to discover the amazing things they didn’t know they could do. A big part of that great vibe is our staff. We have about 20 coaches on staff who are so dedicated to what they do. Many of our coaches are professional performers themselves; others, particularly our youth coaching staff, are professional educators.
We offer more than 80 classes each week in a wide range of circus arts – there’s something for everyone! Our youngest students are 18 months old; our oldest are in their late 60s. We focus on small class sizes so each student receives lots of one-on-one attention and is able to learn at their own pace. Many of our classes are capped at 4 students! Our classes focus on building strength and confidence, developing body awareness, and learning to move and think creatively while maintaining an emphasis on proper technique and injury prevention.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I always say, “This is it, this is enough, this is as big as we’re going to get” – and then of course I start a new project! Right now we’re gearing up for summer. We have a great Youth Summer Program, and a unique Adult Summer Intensive Program that’s basically a circus summer camp for grown-ups.
Going forward, I’d like to find ways to add even more circus arts to what we offer, and to expand our Professional Preparatory Program. We have a small group of professionals-in-training who are doing really great things. I’d love to support them with even more resources and a bigger program down the road.
My big dream is to have a performance troupe based at Esh and create professional-level circus productions. One day!
Pricing:
- Taster Classes – $30
- 8-week Session Classes – $155-$239 for adults; 11-week Session Classes – $205-$334 for youth
- Private lessons – $70/hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 44 Park Street
Somerville, MA 02143 - Website: www.eshcircusarts.com
- Email: info@eshcircusarts.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eshcircusarts/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/esh-circus-arts-somerville
Students practice handstands to build core strength during a class at Esh Circus Arts, a circus school and training center offering recreational circus instruction, in Somerville, Massachusetts May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)
