A skills development
pathway
Flying Trapeze is one of the most demanding disciplines within the circus arts, combining technical rigor, precision of execution and high-level artistic creation. The Centre International des Arts en Mouvement offers a training program designed to develop “Mastery of the Technical Fundamentals of Flying Trapeze” at its site in Aix-en-Provence (France). This program, coached by Jan Van Zyl, a discipline expert with over 40 years of experience, enables participants to strengthen their flying trapeze skills over a shorter period than the certified professional training course. It is structured around two core learning axes: safety and aerial technique, while benefiting from the same level of coaching expertise and professional facilities.
Training Structure
| Duration & Objectives |
|---|
110 hours
≈ 5 weeks
Technical Autonomy & SafetyThis training program aims to develop technical autonomy and core safety foundations in flying trapeze. It also focuses on the refinement of aerial skills and tricks, regardless of the participant’s level. Its curriculum corresponds to the first phase of the program “Techniques and Performance in Flying Trapeze Arts,” also delivered by the CIAM. |
Technical Autonomy & Safety
This training program aims to develop technical autonomy and core safety foundations in flying trapeze. It also focuses on the refinement of aerial skills and tricks, regardless of the participant’s level. Its curriculum corresponds to the first phase of the program “Techniques and Performance in Flying Trapeze Arts,” also delivered by the CIAM.
The full training program is open to both catchers and flyers. Instructors may teach in either French or English.
Audition Schedule
Auditions take place at the CIAM, in the morning, for the upcoming training sessions starting in June/July 2026.
- Friday, March 6, 2026 Morning — CIAM, Aix-en-Provence
- Saturday, April 11, 2026 Morning — CIAM, Aix-en-Provence
- Monday, May 4, 2026 Morning — CIAM, Aix-en-Provence
CIAM — 4181 Route de Galice, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
Contact: formation.pro@ciam-aix.com — +33 (0)4 65 04 61 42
Professional Training in Numbers
- 2 trainees
- 75 % “Good”
- 25 % “Excellent”
Training Overview
A demanding professional pathway structured around safety, technical mastery, artistic interpretation and collective work.
Learning Objectives
- Acquire technical fundamentals, swing basics and secure, unaided catches of simple tricks with return to the platform.
- Develop autonomy in the technical practice of Flying Trapeze.
- Gain initial awareness of working and safety conditions related to Flying Trapeze practice.
Target Audience
Catchers and/or flyers (flying trapeze, aerial frame, Korean cradle), acrobats, trampolinists, gymnasts…
Prerequisites
- Have a foundation in acrobatics (trampoline, gymnastics, etc.).
- Demonstrate prior experience in flying trapeze (spatial awareness and ease in the aerial environment).
The application file and pre-training auditions are used to verify these prerequisites.
Key Information
- Next training dates: June 22 to July 24, 2026.
- Certification: Certificate of completion.
The Training Team
The professional training program “Mastery of the Technical Fundamentals of Flying Trapeze” is led by South African trapeze artist Jan Van Zyl, a specialist in the discipline.
Jan Van Zyl
An exceptional flyer and one of the rare artists of his generation to perform the triple somersault in performance, Jan Van Zyl worked for more than 30 years in major international circuses.
He has notably performed in the rings of Circus Krone, Cirque Royal de Bruxelles, Boswell Wilkie Circus, Benneweis, Blackpool Tower Circus, Mundo Show, Circo Americano, and many others.
Passionate about transmission, he has trained numerous catchers and flyers. For nearly 10 years, he has continued this demanding pedagogical work at CIAM.
Discover his career
Karen Richard
Originally trained as an engineer, Karen discovered circus through the practice of aerial disciplines and flying trapeze.
Holder of the BPJEPS Circus Activities diploma, she teaches a wide range of audiences and has performed for several years on stage in France and abroad.
Since 2016, she has been a teaching artist and educational coordinator at CIAM, developing a pedagogy that is attentive, inclusive and rigorous. Since 2025, she has been in charge of the professional Flying Trapeze training programs and serves as the main contact for all trainees.
Guest Instructors & Workshops
Experts in movement, nutrition and safety from the CIAM network and cultural partnerships contribute throughout the training program.
2025 guest instructors include: Jean François Marin, Richard Gil, Fabrice Pardo, Julie Yousef, Sofiane Alamy.
Flying Trapeze Facilities at CIAM
The Centre International des Arts en Mouvement is a vibrant place open to all, set in a 5-hectare pine forest just 10 minutes from the center of Aix-en-Provence. Resident artists, circus school students and touring companies cross paths on site—CIAM grows and thrives through the diversity of audiences welcomed throughout the year.
Theory classes and training sessions take place on the CIAM site, which provides all the required equipment:
- Indoor flying trapeze structure under a big top, with an English-style catcher or chair.
- Outdoor flying trapeze structure with an English-style catcher or chair.
- All educational equipment from the circus school (including a large trampoline, static trapezes, etc.).
- Multiple training areas and a fully equipped strength and conditioning space.
- Recording equipment to film training sessions and performances for training purposes.
To enhance learning and support each trainee’s progression, CIAM has equipped itself with the VOGOSCOPE ViSTA (Video System for Training Artists), developed by VOGO—specialists in audio communication and video replay solutions for professional sports.
This multi-camera live capture and replay setup enables instructors and trainees to monitor performance with high precision, offering powerful analysis tools to fine-tune every movement and guide trainees toward continuous improvement.
How to Apply
Application Process
Access to the professional Flying Trapeze training programs is subject to application review and a preliminary audition. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
- Download the application file and gather the required supporting documents
- Submit the complete application
- Attend the audition at CIAM
- Receive individualized feedback after the selection process
Get in Touch
For any further information regarding the training programs, auditions or registration procedures, please contact the Flying Trapeze training team.
Email: formation.pro@ciam-aix.com
Phone: +33 (0)4 65 04 61 42
Funding
CIAM is registered with AFDAS. Training programs may be eligible for funding through professional training bodies depending on the candidate’s situation. For guidance, please contact us at formation.pro@ciam-aix.com.
For all its training activities, the Centre International des Arts en Mouvement (CIAM) is Qualiopi certified, attesting to the quality of its processes and compliance with national standards for professional training.
Learn more about the Qualiopi certificationOrganization and Accessibility
The training program “Mastery of the Technical Fundamentals of Flying Trapeze” takes place from Monday morning to Friday evening, exclusively at the CIAM site: 4181 Route de Galice – 13090 Aix-en-Provence, France.
Adjustments can be considered to make the training accessible to participants with disabilities. For further information, please contact the Disability Coordinator Karen Richard at formation.pro@ciam-aix.com.
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