Aerial Dance Class Has Students Flying High on Trapezes

A typical aerial dance class at in Fairfax starts with stretching, followed by a basic safety check and a run-through of important vocabulary terms. Then Lindsay Hassett and her class take to one of the five trapezes in her studio. As Hassett explains it, the classes adhere to an organic flow.

"There are often different tricks for people to try and always in a very 'be where you are' environment."

Each class ends with individual solo performances that can last up to two minutes. Positive feedback is an integral part of the class, and everyone is encouraged to make the most of what is a rather unique opportunity. Hassett's goal is to ensure that the trapeze affords her students the chance to find new ways to move their bodies in ways the audience will respond to. 

"I encourage my new students to find those new places and new moves," she continues, "and to keep doing the ones they love."

At present, Hassett offers a class for youth and another for teenagers. Both classes are closed for registration as they rehearse for a public performance on Saturday, May 12, from 11 a.m. - noon.

Students practice in the front dance space of Roco in Fairfax. Hassett suggests that if one is passing by the studio, they look up into the celing. From that vantage point, one can see the trapeze bars pulled snug up to the beam.

Before she was the teacher of an aerial dance class, Hassett dabbled in a variety of dance disciplines. She's been dancing since 1985, including forays into jazz dance, modern, contact and eventually rock climbing. It was during her time as a rock climber that Hassett was exposed to Terry Sendgraf's motivity trapeze. She's loved it ever since.

"Training with Terry in the Bay Area was such a pleasure," recalls Hassett. "After moving to Marin, I found myself wanting to teach and perform aerial dance. Wonderfully enough, Roco Dance had five trapezes rigged into their studio."

Hassett taught aerial dance last year to a summer camp for kids and has since begun teaching the weekly Saturday class for youth. She's immensely impressed with their progress.

"The youth are so energetic, flexible and ready to fly. It's been great teaching the aerial vocabulary and watching them make it their own."

For those interested in taking a turn on the trapeze, plans are underway for an "Aerial Jam" to take place on a Friday once a month this summer. To learn more, visit Roco Dance at http://www.rocodance.com/.