Registration opening to the professional Flying Trapeze training
” Technic and interpretation of Flying Trapeze Art”
AUDITION PLANNING
CURRICULUM 1 « Mastering the technical fundamentals of large flying trapeze »
CURRICULUM 2 « Deepening techniques for interpreting the arts of the large flying trapeze »
Audition dates :
Saturday, February 8, 2025: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025: 1pm to 7pm
Monday, June 23, 2025, at CIAM: From 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Start of C1 training: Thursday, November 13, 2025
End of C1 training: Friday, December 19, 2025
Start of C2 training: Monday, January 5
Jury week C2: week of March 30
THE TRAINING
The flying trapeze art is one of the most demanding circus art forms, combining high technical requirements, fine execution and significative creatives aptitudes.
TRAINING ORGANIZED INTO TWO CURRICULUM
Le Centre International des Arts en Mouvement offers training in « Techniques and Interpretation of Flying Trapeze Arts » at its site in Aix-en-Provence (13).
Led by Jan Van Zyl, an expert in the discipline with over 40 years’ experience, the course leads to certification recognized by the Centre National des Arts du Cirque (CNAC).
This 355-hour training course has been organized into two curricula that can be followed à la carte, depending on the student’s level, budget or schedule. Each course can be taken separately.
The two courses combined constitute the « Techniques and Interpretation of the Arts of the Flying Trapeze » course in its entirety:
- CURRICULUM 1 « Mastering the technical fundamentals of large flying trapeze »: 110 hours of training spread over just over 5 weeks, aimed at acquiring technical autonomy and the safety basics of large flying trapeze, essential prerequisites for CURRICULUM 2.
- CURRICULUM 2 « Deepening techniques for interpreting the arts of the large flying trapeze », 255 hours of training spread over 12 weeks, will enable us to train complete professional artists, experts in the theoretical, technical and artistic aspects of the large flying trapeze.The two courses, combined over 355 hours, make up the « Techniques and Interpretation of Flying Trapeze Arts » training program in its entirety.
The final jury at the end of CURRICULUM 2 leads to RSCH certification RS 5277.
All the courses offered during the training program are designed for both flyers and aerialists.
Course instructors will be able to express themselves in either French or English.
This certification is registred in the french ”Répertoire Spécifique des Certifications et Habilitations (RSCH) de France Compétences (RS 5277)”.
Targeted skills
The complete training program aims to train professional artists who are experts in the theoretical, technical and artistic aspects of the Flying Trapeze
Certification is structured around five main skills:
– C1. Perform different aerial acrobatic techniques or different Flying Trapeze techniques in compliance with safety instructions.
– C2. Develop skills as a performer on the Flying Trapeze.
– C3. Take part in setting up and dismantling a net and a set of bridges or gantries.
– C4. Maintain equipment in good working order.
– C5. Prevent risks associated with the practice of Flying Trapeze.
To meet these requirements, the complete CIAM training program is organized around 8 modules :
- 4 modules of flying trapeze technique (140h for curriculum 2 or 215h for the complete training, depending on initial level)
- 1 module on artistic culture and creation (85h in curriculum 2)
- 3 modules on risk prevention and structure maintenance (30h for curriculum 2 or 55h for full training, depending on initial level).
Training at a glance
- CURSUS 2 (255h training) from March to May 2025
- CURSUS 1 & 2 (355h training) from November to December 2025 (CURSUS 1) and from January to March 2026 (CURSUS 2)
CURRICULUM 1
« Mastering the technical fundamentals of flying trapeze »
Duration : 110 hours
Cost : €4,850
Level prerequisite : catchers or flyers (flying trapeze, aerial frame, correen frame), acrobats, trampolinists, gymnasts…
Technical objectives: Acquire the technical fundamentals, the basics of ballant and easy, lanyard-free catching of simple figures with platform return.
Pedagogical objectives :
– Initiate and acquire autonomy in the technical practice of the Flying Trapeze
– Gain an initial awareness of working and safety conditions relating to the practice of Flying Trapeze
Evaluation methods : Continuous assessment and final exam.
CURRICULUM 2
« In-depth study of techniques for interpreting the arts of the shuttlecock ».
Duration : 255h
Cost : €9,750
Prerequisites : Significant experience in grand volant, mastery of the basics of ballant and easy catch without longe of basic figures with platform return The audition will enable us to assess whether the technical level has been reached to follow this course, or whether CURRICULUM 1 is required.
Technical objectives : The proposed curriculum aims to train complete professional artists, experts in Grand Trapèze Volant in terms of theory, technique and artistry.
Pedagogical objectives :
– Improve skills in Flying Trapeze and aerial acrobatics.
– Interpret a role in a Flying Trapeze show
– Be aware of working/safety conditions relating to Flying Trapeze shows (warm-up, longevity, artistic purpose, performance conditions).
Assessment methods : continuous assessment and independent final jury.
Certification obtained : RSCH n°RS5277.
The complete course: « Techniques and interpretation of the Flying Trapeze arts »
Duration: 355h
Cost : €13,570
Pre-requisites : catchers or flyers (flying trapeze, aerial frame, correen frame), acrobats, trampolinists, gymnasts…
Technical objectives : The proposed curriculum aims to train complete professional artists, experts in the theoretical, technical and artistic aspects of the Flying Trapeze.
Pedagogical objectives :
– Improve skills in Flying Trapeze and aerial acrobatics.
– Interpret a role in a Flying Trapeze show
– Be aware of working/safety conditions relating to Flying Trapeze shows (warm-up, longevity, artistic purpose, performance conditions).
Assessment methods : continuous assessment and independent final jury.
Certification obtained : RSCH n°RS5277.
Professional training team
The « Techniques and Interpretation of the Great Flying Arts » professional training course is led by South African trapeze artist Jan Van Zyl, a specialist in the discipline.
Jan Van Zyl : an exceptional aerialist and the rare artist of his generation to do the triple in performance, Jan Van Zyl has worked in many of the world’s leading circuses for over 30 years, winning numerous awards. He has been a flying trapeze artist at Krone in Germany, Cirque Royal in Brussels, Boswel Wilkie Circus in South Africa, Benneweiss in Japan, Black Pool Tower Circus in the UK, Mundo Show in Spain, Circo Americano in Italy, and many others. Passionate about sharing and passing on his knowledge, he has trained a number of aerialists and porters during his career.
It was at the CIAM that he set up home nearly 10 years ago and continues to pass on his knowledge of the Grand Trapèze Volant to amateurs and, above all, to those in search of constant improvement.
External instructors (artists expert of the disciplines, sound or light experts, nutritionists, …) of the CIAM network or in partnership with other cultural institutions will be invited to animate specialized workshops during the professional training.
Training equipment dedicated to flying trapeze
The CIAM is a place open to all, installed on a pine forest of 5 hectares 10 minutes away from Aix-en-Provence.
Artists in residence, students from local schools or companies on tour are meeting at the CIAM site, which is nourished and grown by the diversity of the audiences welcomed throughout the year.
The theoretical lessons and training sessions will take place on the CIAM site, which has all the necessary equipment :
- An indoor flying trapeze structure under a big top, with an English-style carrier or chair.
- An outdoor flying trapeze structure with an American (traditional) and an Italian style catch chair,
- All the pedagogical material needed (including a large trampoline, fix trapezes…),
- Various training places and a fitness center,
- Recording equipment to film training and performances for training purposes.
The prerequisite to apply
Complete training & CURRICULUM 1
Particularly demanding, Flying Trapeze requires excellent physical condition.
It is not compulsory to have practiced Flying Trapeze before entering this training program, but significant experience in the acrobatic arts is strongly recommended.
This certification is open to, but not limited to, the following profiles:
– Catchers and/or flyers (flying trapeze, aerial frame, Korean frame…)
– Acrobats,
– Trampolinists,
– Gymnasts…
Applications and auditions prior to training enable us to assess the specific characteristics of each profile individually, and if necessary adjust the training accordingly.
CURRICULUM 2
Access to CURRICULUM 2 is more demanding, requiring significant experience in large-scale flying, mastery of the basics of ballant, easy catching of basic figures with a platform return, and no need for long lines.
The audition will enable us to assess whether the technical level required to follow this course has been reached, or whether CURRICULUM 1 is required.
How to apply?
To register for the next session of auditions scheduled at CIAM, you will need to complete and return a registration form, together with all the supporting documents requested. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
To obtain the application form, further information on the training program and the dates of the next auditions, you can write directly to the Formation Pro e-mail address : formation.pro@ciam-aix.com or call +33 4 65 04 61 42.
You can send your application by email to formation.pro@ciam-aix.com or by post to :
Centre International des Arts en Mouvement
La Molière
Formation professionnelle
4181 route de Galice
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Funding of the professional training
The CIAM is registered at the AFDAS. This professional training can be funded with the help of this department.
This training may be financed by Pôle Emploi, by your Personal Training Account (CPF) or by the professional training organisation to which you contribute via your Urssaf contributions if you are an entrepreneur.
We invite you to contact these organisations to find a financing solution to suit your current professional situation.
Please contact the CIAM team to get more information or get in touch directly with your dedicated training organization.
Practical information
The « Techniques and Interpretation of the Flying Trapeze Arts » course offered by CIAM takes place over two periods.
It takes place from Monday lunchtime to Saturday lunchtime, exclusively at the CIAM site: 4181, route de Galice – 13090 Aix-en-Provence.
For further information on the training program, dates of upcoming auditions, details of courses and associated schedules, and financing options, visit the CIAM website: www.artsenmouvement.fr
You can also contact the Flying Trapeze training referents at: formation.pro@ciam-aix.com.
Accommodations may be possible to make the course accessible to people with disabilities. For further information, please contact Karen Richard at formation.pro@ciam-aix.com.
