High-Flying Studio Comes to Fountain Valley

Have you ever wanted to be suspended in midair by ribbons and learn the amazing tricks performed in the Cirque du Soleil? Now you can live that dream at the Orange County Aerial Arts group, a local studio that teaches all of the skills required to perform amazing aerial acrobatics.

"We train all students and they come from a variety of age groups from 5 years old to almost 60," said Artistic Director Ruby Karen. "We are open to anybody." With customized classes ranging from conditioning to suspension and tricks, the Arts group also offers dance classes like flex, ballet, barre, balance, core, developing air, grace, and many aspects of choreography as well as salsa dancing.

The school itself has been open since 2009, prior to which Karen held a position for many years as part of the Cirque du Soleil's pool of potential performers.

In 2009 Karen decided to open her own school. The school focuses on each individual student's development, and its variety of offerings has helped Karen's business grow over the past few years.

"More classes means you have more availability for students, and overall business is improving," she said. "The longer you hang in there, the more you are recognized." Karen added that the arts is a tough space to be operating in during these tough economic times, when funds have been pulled from the arts and her business relies on the private sector via donations.

"Our mission is non-profit, even though we are not quite one," Karen said. "It's just my husband and me running the business; it is very family oriented.”

Those wishing to get in touch with their inner acrobats, or support those who do can visit the Orange County Aerial Arts school online, or look them up on Facebook.