The Vancouver Circus School’s Ring Masters is an artist development program that focuses on technical proficiency and artistry. The Ring Masters are guided by our professional performance team, following a studied approach within a supportive and creative environment. Our past Ring Masters have gone on to perform for a myriad of companies all around the globe, as the program can lead to pursuing a thrilling career in the circus arts.
Ring Masters is an artist development program with the core beliefs that passion and play can translate into an exciting and successful career.
While it is not expected that all Ring Masters pursue the path towards becoming a professional circus artist, all Ring Masters must value their talent and the means to cultivate it. Ring Masters are to apply dedication, discipline, and exploration as a process of cultivating that talent, and are equally expected to display measurable results as the outcome of their efforts.
Although non-competitive at heart, the Ring Masters program is also one that is growing quickly and ever evolving. Its most sustained feature is its provision of boundless support to its students in achieving any ambitions that they may have for themselves as aspiring circus performers. Indeed, our coaches are entirely committed to helping the Ring Masters students discover their inner artist and achieve their personal best.
education model
The Vancouver Circus School’s Ring Masters program adopts the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, which ensures that all Ring Masters are fostering the motivation for lifelong physical development and remain active for life.
Through athletic and artistic performance, participants pursue and demonstrate excellence and experience the joy of achievement. Along with these opportunities come certain responsibilities for participants to play fair and participate in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. VCS training should help to develop in participants the qualities of citizenship, ethical conduct, sportsmanship and skill.
Term 1: September – October
The initiation phase is the beginning of the annual journey into physical and mental development. During this phase artists are rebuilding their body from time away from structured activity. This phase is a slow integration into the more formalized physical development. Key elements in this phase are building endurance, speed, power, and flexibility. The Initiation phase prepares artists with the necessary tool to progress into later stages with a safe and well-prepared body, ready to increase demands.
Term 2: November – February
Once the artist has properly progressed through the initiation phase, Skill collection can begin. During the acquisition phase artists are ready to train at a higher level. The body has been conditioned in a way that has prepared them for gaining fundamental movement patterns, test limits with new skills and movements. Key elements in this phase are power, flexibility, endurance, speed, choreography, and artistic expression. This is the longest phase of training and priorities of the key ingredients shift as this phase develops.
Term 3: March - April
Consolation phase is the period when the movement patterns that have been acquired become ready for connection. This phase is designed to put all the “pieces together” into acts, more complex routines and create new pieces utilizing all the movement patterns learned in the previous phases. Key elements of this phase are artistic expression, choreography, flexibility, power, and endurance.
Term 4: May - June
Fine tuning is the focus here, now that artists have been fully prepared for the polishing phase. Focus during this phase is designed less on building new skills and more on making their existing practice shine. Key elements for this phase are choreography, artistic expression, mental skills, flexibility, and power.
Ring Masters is divided into 3 distinct groups – Junior, Intermediate and Senior programs. We support the individual development of each student in Ring Masters and work towards a holistic approach to training based on their age of development.
Ring Masters Junior Program (ages 8 – 12)
“Learning to train” with a direct focus on instructor led training. During the learn to train stage, students are learning general fundamental movement patterns with the emphasis on play. During this stage it’s important that students are exposed to a multitude of different apparatus and educational methods, while in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Ring Masters Intermediate Program (ages 13 – 18)
“Training to train” stage and will be gravitating towards a specific set of disciplines. While still important to train all areas primary focus becomes more apparent. Student will be moving towards student led – coach supported training model.
Ring Masters Senior Program (ages 19+)
“Training to perform” stage of development. Primary emphasis is on artist and act development and stage 3 of learning outcomes.
This year’s program will require students to attend training on Wednesdays, with the option to choose one or two additional days per week. We understand that each student has unique goals for the program. This setup provides flexibility for students to tailor their training to their specific needs while ensuring a unified training day for all members.
More experienced Ring masters can also meet with the coaching team to build personalized training plans for themselves. Seniors only.
Each training day will have its unique learning outcomes and focus on key movement patterns.
General training model will include the following:
Dance
Aerial Silk
Aerial Hoop
Static Trapeze
Trampoline
Tumbling
Acrobatics
Tightwire
Slackline
Aerial Silk
Aerial Hoop
Static Trapeze
Trampoline
Tumbling
Acrobatics
Tightwire
Slackline
Juggling and Props
Handstands
Character Theatrics
Conditioning
Contortion
Flexibility
Unicycle
Stilt walking
Balance Props
Handstands
Character Theatrics
Conditioning
Contortion
Flexibility
Unicycle
Stilt walking
Balance Props
the Ring Masters philosophy is that performance is a part of practice.
The emphasis on performance is designed to make students accountable for their training and be able to demonstrate the results of their effort. The goal of the Ring Masters is to make performances a regular part of students’ practice, fostering the development of self-esteem and confidence.
The Ring Masters program is designed around the long-term athlete development model, where physical literacy is paramount. Students will engage in an overall physical development program that is designed to further their fundamental movement patterns to be successful in any area of physical movement. Training will be organized in a way that each day has general circus disciplines, but certain days will have specific learning objectives.
days and times
JUNIORS
Monday / Wednesday / 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday – 5:30pm to 8:30pm
INTERMEDIATES
Monday / Wednesday / 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday – 5:30pm to 8:30pm
SENIORS
Monday / Wednesday / 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday – 5:30pm to 8:30pm
program fees
The Ring Masters Program runs from September to June, students are expected to complete the full 10 months and participate in performances.
| Program | 2 Days | 3 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Juniors 8 – 12yrs | $4600.00 | $5770.00 |
| Intermediate 13 – 17yrs | $5250.00 | $6550.00 |
| Senior 18yrs + | $5250.00 | $6550.00 |
benefits
Ring Masters students have access to these benefits for belonging to the program:
- Training consultations for Senior Ring Masters
- Discounts on all VCS workshops and Props
- Opportunities to perform at festival and community events
- Unlimited Open Training
interested in joining our
Ring Masters program?