General Studio Policies
Updated: January 2025
About Us
Trellis Arts & Instruction provides instruction in aerial arts, acro-dance and various specialty disciplines of circus and performing arts. We are regularly offering micro-sized workshops and courses in aerial arts and specialty disciplines for ages 10 and up. We also provide in-person and virtual instruction via private and semi-private formats, specialized workshops and choreographic advising. All programming is held in English.
It is Trellis’ mission to educate our students in circus arts and everyday life. We aim to teach safe and sustainable circus technique while fostering creativity, self-confidence and a passion for movement. We commit to our mission in every lesson by delivering quality instruction in a friendly, safe, adaptive and supportive environment. Our instruction is intended for any and all individuals with the curiosity and motivation for circus and performance. Specialty instruction such as hair suspension instruction is for select individuals who meet safety and age requirements.
Class Attitude, Etiquette and Morale Code
As students work towards being great athletes and artists, they are also working towards being their best selves and a supportive member of our community!
Be respectful towards everyone’s abilities, interests and practice. Cheer and applaud every student, at every level of experience, at every age, for every body type and expression of identity.
Respect your own body, your health, your abilities, your creative vision and the process of developing your circus art form. Challenge yourself and be ambitious, but also be grateful of your abilities, accomplishments and developments, however slow or small along the way.
Respect your coach(es) and instructors. They have a lot of years of experience to share with you! They work hard to put together programs, routines and exercises for you. Please listen when they are giving instruction. Let them know if you liked the class. Thank them for their support and feedback.
Parents, remember that every child’s progress, abilities and interpretation of instruction are different. Please trust the professional guidance of the instructors given to your child.
Arrive on time to your classes!
We encourage you to make friends and have fun!
Commit to being disciplined and focused while having fun in order to be safe and reap the rewards of hard work and dedication.
Remember that it is a privilege to participate the unique activity of circus. Take advantage of your time on the equipment, with your community and take pride in this wonderful thing you get to participate in!
Dress Code:
Hair must be tied neatly back away from face when possible. No sharp hair clips or accessories can be worn during class. (Hair suspension instruction not applicable
All fashion jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets, belts) are not permitted in class. Small smooth earrings and medical bracelets are permitted, and jewelry that can be secured underneath clothing are acceptable.
Body suits and/or tightly fitted top and bottoms are required for Aerial and acrobatics. Shirts that cover the armpits, elbows and midriff, and pants that cover the knees are strongly suggested for the safety of the student. Please wear clothes that do not present any risk of exposure to personal private areas such as extremely low-cut tops, low-waisted bottoms and bikini-style hems. Backup clothes and layers are suggested as items to bring to class. Comfortable, loose-fitted clothing is acceptable in hair suspension classes.
A band or rope to secure eye-glasses are recommended.
Bare feet are required to train on aerial equipment, especially aerial silks. Clean close-toed supportive shoes or ballet slippers are acceptable for other disciplines such as aerial hoop, hair suspension, acrobatics and select specialties.
Personal Belongings:
personal belongings left behind at the studio are at risk of being misplaced, relocated, stolen or confiscated as we share our space with other businesses/groups.
If bringing your own aerial equipment and/or personal training equipment, please label them with your name. This equipment is for personal use only - no sharing personal equipment. Aerial equipment must be vetted by your instructor before use. No equipment can be left in the studios after hours.
Students are encouraged to have their own chalk and rosin in labeled containers to bring to aerial classes.
Personal recording devices can be brought to class and used for training purposes only and when permitted. All recordings and sharing of content from class for social media must be consented to by students and instructors featured in the video(s).
Medical Considerations:
Cover all open wounds or warts with appropriately sized band-aids or medical tape. If the injury is on your foot, please wear socks over the bandages to prevent them from coming off.
Do not come to class if you are sick with a contagious cold/flu. If you are feeling healthy for class but have lingering symptoms that could be contagious, please wear a mask.
Please let us know if you have any medical needs we can help accommodate and be mindful of in our programming to see that you are comfortable and safe.
Circus/Movement Guidelines:
Only one person is allowed on each piece of equipment at a time, unless otherwise instructed by Trellis coach(es).
Students must observe their surroundings before performing a skill to ensure safe distance from other students.
Students should only perform skills that they have been instructed and equipment is used as intended, this includes heights they are performed at.
Always be sure to have enough energy left to execute, dismount and/or exit a skill safely.
(of Aerial Classes) Only Trellis staff and instructors can operating pulley systems and rig equipment.
Students are only allowed on the equipment AFTER instruction has been given and warm up has taken place.
(of Aerial Classes) Beginner students must always mount and dismount their apparatus with two hands on the equipment and two feet on the ground. Beginner hair suspension students are encouraged to keep maintain some form of contact with the ground at all times.
(of Aerial Classes) No swinging of aerial apparatuses without permission.
(of Aerial Classes) When using chalk or rosin, please keep hands over a container or towel and clean up any spilled mess.
Please let us know if you have any adaptive needs we can help accommodate and be mindful of in our programming to see that you are comfortable and safe.
wheelchair accessibility varies depending on studio spaces - we will indicate when this is and is not available.
all Classes are relaxed environments.