School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts

I have been doing aerial for several years and recently relocated to Seattle. After doing aerial fabric at another studio for the past several months, I decided to sign up for classes at SANCA. The staff at SANCA are extremely friendly and SANCA is a very welcoming environment. Safety is highly emphasized and the instructors are always willing to help if you feel uncomfortable doing anything. The instructor also is flexible and will work with your skill set. The classes are challenging and push you to do your best. Will definitely continue taking classes here!

We were at a birthday party here. Kind and dedicated Instructors, each child-​aged 8 to 19-​was given focused time and attention. Safety was #1 here, which is important but also making each child feel successful no matter his or her skill set!

My daughter had her 11^th birthday party here and we signed up for the Flying Trapeze Party. As the kids said, «This is the most awesome thing ever!»
They start off teaching the kids the importance of learning the calls for instructions. The kids start off swinging on the trapeze, putting their feet up, hanging upside down by their knees, reaching back, putting their feet back down, swinging their legs, and then dismounting by doing a back flip. Near the end of the party after they have successfully perfected the skills, they are then able to reach out, release, and have a swinging instructor grab them. It’s amazing to watch and see the kids gain more confidence in their abilities!
The party is two hours long and the whole time the kids are «flying.» It does not include a party room, but you can bring food for the kids to snack on while they’re waiting for their next turn. It seems safe as the kids always had on a harness from the time they were climbing the ladder to coming off the net.
At first, I thought the cost for the party was pricey, until I realized there are three highly qualified aerial instructors who are actively coaching the whole time. They were great at encouraging the kids! It was worth every penny.
My 7 year old wants to do the Youth Circus Party. I’m sure we’ll be back!

Oh my gosh there is only one word I can think of to describe my child’s birthday party
AWESOME!
We booked a FLYING TRAPEZE birthday party.
The staff was very flexible, worked will all abilities and accepted that there were kids who just wanted to watch, no pressure. They did an amazing job at keeping kids feeling safe even though it was a pretty intense experience. They helped my 10 year old feel safe even though he was scared, and he did amazing. The teenagers loved it.
Since two of the kids didn’t want to try, I decided to go. Now… if I can do it anyone can. I am over 45, quite rubenesque and have not worked out since my teenager was born. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!
I think MY next birthday party is going to be at Sanca! If you want to know what it feels like to FLY, book at Flying Trapeze party with Sanca! You might discover a new passion… I think I have :-)

Great instructors, supportive atmosphere and tons of fun. Being a non-​profit, it is all about the learning and fun. Try the weekend intro to circus class for a taste of what they offer.

I took aerial classes and only stopped to have my son. I’ve had the fortune to work with many of the adult aerial teachers and can’t speak more highly of every one. I’ve had aerial instruction elsewhere as well. SANCA is more circus-​oriented while other schools I’ve attended focus solely on aerial. What stood out to me at SANCA was their focus on structured learning, safety, and strength training.
SANCA begins every class with warm up, stretches, and exercises to build muscle in effort to avoid strain and improve overall performance. The aerial classes are taught in a way that build on each other such that I went away from every class better than the last time I showed up and often having learned something new. They offered additional drop-​in time so I could work on an apparatus/​sequence outside of class.
As for the kids classes, my stepdaughter takes the youth circus and aerial classes at SANCA. Since going to SANCA, she’s shown more confidence. My stepdaughter is somewhat the odd one out in school. She likes spiders, magic, stripey tights, and dresses with big stompy boots. She doesn’t show up to class with new clothes and gadgets every season. She lets her hair run wild and she’s not very competitive. At SANCA, she fits right in. In the lunchroom at school, she has something to talk about with pride. She’s a little shy around people she doesn’t know, too. Sometimes when her normal classmates don’t show up, she’s hesitant to join the warmup group. As an instamom still trying to get up-​to-​speed on a 7-​year old girl, I really appreciate that there are instructors at SANCA who care about her enough to coax her out into the group. Once she gets started, she has a good time. The teachers she’s had have always found a happy medium between letting the kids get a little whimsical while keeping them focused on learning a skill. I can’t even do that.
I think SANCA’s doing great things for the kids that show up there. I think when you read confidence, it’s hard to understand what that means to a 7-​year old girl like her. She holds her head up higher. She looks at other kids in the eye. She even says hi to kids she doesn’t know. When someone has an issue with the costume she chose to wear to school on a perfectly ordinary day, she doesn’t let it get to her as much. I think the difference isn’t just her parents telling her how pretty she is (and totally rad in her costume btw). Some of that is her having a «thing» that makes her happy in a place where she «fits». Thanks, guys. :)

Taking the adult introduction to aerial class right now and so far it is great.
We had 2 instructors so far since the first was covering for a vacation, and both are very positive and encouraging. The gym itself and equipment are all very reasonably maintained although that blue carpet is kinda disgusting ;)
Essentially, when you come into the gym at SANCA, it feels very friendly and inviting, so many people doing so many cool things. People on trapeze, chinese pole, hooping, tumbling, silks, and all in the same room. It feels supporting and fun, makes you excited to come each week and also makes you want to try it all!
If you do better with just learning stuff but not necessarily in good technique, this may not be the place for you. They teach you good technique, but as a result, you progress very slowly. That might frustrate some. They are training you as if you were going to continue on with your education long into the future, building a solid foundation to start from. This suites my goals and learning type quite well, and thus, I am more than happy here.
If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of coming to SANCA, like I did for years, get up and make it happen, what are you waiting for? You will discover talents and muscles you never knew existed and will have a blast, I guarantee it.

There are only so many places in the city that you can do a kid’s birthday party, so after some research, we decided to celebrate my son turning 8 here. Having never stepped foot in the place, we didn’t know what to expect. Bottom line: It was awesome!
The whole process went pretty smooth. Great communication with staff due to having to change times, headcounts, etc. The trainers that run the party were wonderful with the kids and super nice. The kids had a blast and got their energy out.
It’s so great that we have another option for kid parties (they have adult parties, too)! If you are looking for something unique, check it out.

I’ve coached & taught youth classes for years and had manymanymany coaches as an adult in a variety of sports. I’m practically impossible to impress, but not difficult to please. Is the venue safe? Is the coach engaged? Are the students happy & attentive? It’s worth a try! I’ve left plenty of classes because they couldn’t meet these simple criteria.
This organization helps high-​risk kids (foster kids, homeless kids, kids with a history of abuse) improve their self esteem and develop confidence. If your precious snowflake can’t handle waiting a turn or following instructions, it’s not SANCA’s fault – but they can help.
We started «Baby & Me» classes when the kid was barely 2. Coach Leslie was amazing. I was impressed. The venue is safe, the coaches are all attentive of their own students and watchful of those around them (important when you have adults practicing near wandering toddlers). Most importantly, I’ve never seen an unhappy student, of any age. Kids and adults alike are smiling, joyful and focused.
Almost a year later, we’re still having a blast. We’ve had a few other coaches, most recently Tyler – who is just fantastic with the littlest kids. She’s learning cool new skills and practicing important social skills – waiting her turn, being compassionate and patient with others, listening and respecting coaches.
The friends who introduced us to circus school have been attending for years – and the oldest kid in the bunch is barely 7. That kind of loyalty is earned. SANCA deserves that kind of loyalty.
I love SANCA. My kid loves SANCA. Most of her friends also love SANCA. Those who don’t love it tend to be fairly extreme, which I don’t understand. Anyone who questions the patience or ability of any of the coaches on Unilocal should bring these same concerns to the school. Maybe you weren’t a good fit with the instructor, or maybe you aren’t able to connect with the methods the school uses.

I am so disappointed. My son and I had a wonderful time in the parent/​child class. He loved swinging on the trapeze, practicing hand stands, jumping on the trampoline, etc etc. circus class was the highlight of our day. Then he transitioned to the child only class with the same teacher. I was happy she would be teaching the class. I thought my son would like to see a familiar face as he went off on his own. Unfortunately, this teacher has no idea how to relate to toddlers. None. In fact, none of the teachers are trained in how to teach small kids. And it shows. Instead of leaving happy, my son leaves with his head hanging low. The problem? Excessive and inappropriate discipline. My son’s teacher polices everything he does. If he steps one foot out of line, he loses a turn and gets lectured. Ummmmm. He’s 3 years old! He isn’t supposed to be a model student. He’s a toddler! And this isn’t medical school. It’s circus class!!! The last (and final) class was the worst. When class ended the other kids happily ran to their parents. My son walked to me with his head down, eyes looking at the ground, face solemn. He rested his head on my lap and whimpered «I want to go home». It was heartbreaking and infuriating. If Sanca is going to offer pre-​k classes, or any children’s class for that matter, their instructors need to be properly trained to teach children.
Another peeve, they offer parent/​child classes until the age of 3. After that, kids have to go into a child only class. I think this puts undue pressure on the child to be ok with being independent and away from their parent. Some kids are shy. Some need a bit more time with their parents. Why not offer parent/​child classes up to 5 yrs old?

LOVED THIS PLACE. took a 2 hour intro course for flying trapeze. so much fun and the instructors were amazing. very friendly and professional staff. would highly recommend and would definitely go back when in town!

I take aerial classes here (used to take General Circus). SANCA is the best! The instructors are wonderful and I’ve learned so much.

I took intro to aerial session and it was horrible. Instructors teached us how to climb the whole session. We haven’t learned any tricks within 3 months. After that I took aerial fabrics classes in another school and I’ve learned so many things within 2 month. I don’t reccommend SANCA’s silks classes but maybe it depends of instructor.
But I really enjoyed contortion classes with Zora.

I just finished the 2 hour introductory trapeze class courtesy of Living Social and I had such a good time.
I am not afraid of heights at all, but for some reason it was really scary. But the staff is super nice, friendly, and supportive, and very confidence inspiring. I was so impressed with their kindness and professionalism I had to jump on and write a review right away.
Bring something to take video, and ask a classmate to record you, it’s a fun souvenier.

TRAPEZE:
Soooooooo fun! Super-​safe! It made me want to join a circus! (not really, but only because I hate clowns).
The only problem was that I was one of a few people who didn’t get to take an extra turn at the end. I really missed out :(but…they did let one guy in our group wear his helmet cam to give everyone at home an up close and personal view of his flying endeavors, which had to make for some really good tv!

I found this thorough Living Social as well. Fantastic experience.
Everything about it was first rate, except for the fact that was REALLY COLD!
I found the instructors very helpful and supportive. I told them «There’s no way I am going to hang upside down 25 feet up», and next thing you know i did it. :-)
I was also initially concerned about safety but once you see it, there really is nothing to worry about as you are on multiple safety lines that won’t let you fall.
One recommendation, if you are terrified of heights, this might not be for you.

I came here for the flying trapeze class (thanks LivingSocial!).
I’m realllly terrified of heights (really, I’m not sure why I got the deal in the first place), so it took quite a bit of time before I was able to give it a go.
The instructors were fantastic though — super supportive and encouraging. And yes, all the equipment felt very secure.

My wife and I went to an intro class at SANCA after seeing a coupon on Living Social and we had a blast. My talent for the trapeze was middling at best, but it seems my wife missed her calling in the circus. She’s considering taking classes regularly.
The instructors were great – they provided a safe, fun environment – and although I have nothing to compare it to, the equipment all looked like it was in good shape. We got a chance to swing upside down by our knees and do a nifty little flip dismount. A couple folks got to attempt getting caught by the instructor. If you’re looking to shake up your dull, meaningless life a bit, this is a great way to do it.

I was invited here with a friend who had some free spots in a weeknight trapeze class. He attends several classes at SANCA and really enjoys it.
It. Was. TERRIFYING. For someone afraid of heights, I have no idea why I agreed to it. I was shaking and quite upset during my first couple swings off the trapeze. However, once I got over my initial fear of falling to my death, I rather enjoyed it a bit. I’d never done anything like it before and it was certainly an experience I won’t be forgetting any time soon!
The staff are AMAZING. Absolutely top notch. Friendly and personable, you feel 100% safe in their hands. It’s clear they are super passionate about what they do and it definitely comforts those of us who are super nervous!
I would definitely recommend checking this place out — especially for those of you braver than I am!

I haven’t taken classes here myself but I did have an occasion to visit the school and was immediately impressed by the energy, enthusiasm, and contagious laughter of the adults and kids who were practicing all sorts of circus arts on some REALLY BIG and intimidating equipment.
Amazing that I’d never heard of this school before. I would have been referring it all over the place. What a cool idea, what cool stuff to learn, what a great way to stay flexible and in shape. What am amazing non-​profit organization.
They’re dedicated to serving students from all economic backgrounds by providing tuition scholarships. Awesome!