Aerial Arts
Train in the air at APPA-NI
Our Aerial Arts programme uses specialist equipment — silks, ropes, extended trapeze and hoop lyra — inside our dedicated aerial space at the Castlereagh centre.
The Programme
Multiple techniques, one aerial space
Our Aerial Arts department trains students across several apparatus, all mounted in a dedicated aerial space measuring 14.5m x 15m. Beginners work on fundamentals and safety, while more experienced performers build strength, control and repertoire on the apparatus they specialise in.
Aerial sits alongside our Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Acrobatic Tumbling departments, so students can combine aerial work with other physical arts training as part of a broader programme.
Apparatus
Equipment we train on
Silks
Two separate lengths of fabric suspended from a single rig point, used for climbs, wraps, drops and strength shapes.
Ropes
Single and double rope work, including knots, wraps and inversion sequences.
Extended Trapeze
Wider trapeze apparatus that allows for swinging, balances and fuller movement phrases.
Hoop Lyra
Aerial hoop suspended on a rig point, worked with spins, drops and dynamic transitions.
Who We Work With
Training for different levels
Aerial classes are structured so that pupils of different experience can be challenged appropriately, from first-time students finding their confidence on the apparatus through to advanced performers refining their technique.
| Programme | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial Arts | Silks, ropes, extended trapeze, hoop lyra | Practised in our dedicated aerial space |
| Dance | Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Song & Dance | Complements aerial training |
| Rhythmic Gymnastics | Technique, artistry and performance | Continental high-performance floor |
| Acrobatic / Tumbling | Strength, flexibility and tumbling skills | Progressive skill development |
| Disability Classes | Adapted physical arts provision | Part of our wider programme |
At APPA-NI in Belfast, dance and physical arts training spans ballet, jazz, contemporary, acrobatics and rhythmic gymnastics under one roof. This combined approach gives students the chance to move between disciplines rather than specialise too early, and it means lessons, rehearsals and performances all happen in the same welcoming learning environment. Classes are open to children and adults, including beginners, returning dancers and participants with additional needs.
Aerial Arts at APPA-NI lets you train in the air using specialist equipment such as silks, ropes, extended trapeze and hoop lyra, all mounted inside a dedicated aerial space at the Castlereagh centre. Beginners spend time on fundamentals, safe rigging technique and body awareness, while more experienced performers develop strength, control and repertoire on the apparatus they specialise in. The atmosphere is focused, encouraging and genuinely fun.
Our centre was thoughtfully designed and meticulously finished to high standards, so every discipline has a suitable room in which to practise properly. Studios, sprung floors, mirrored walls and specialist aerial installations create a professional setting for learning, whether you are attending a first pre-school class or working towards recognised qualifications. Being a newly developed specialist centre, APPA-NI combines facilities that are rarely found together in Northern Ireland.
Because ballet, jazz, acrobatics, tumbling and aerial all sit side by side, students gain opportunities that cross traditional boundaries. A dancer may add tumbling to a jazz routine, a gymnast may explore lyrical or contemporary phrasing, and an aerial performer may strengthen their floor work through ballet training. This blended training builds versatile technique and a confident stage presence across multiple forms of dance and movement.
APPA-NI is a leading provider of arts and physical activity in the region, supporting the local community with structured classes, specialist tuition and a calendar of events through the year. Our programmes create opportunities, build skills and confidence, and reflect the belief that everyone benefits from a welcoming, unique learning environment. If you would like to find out more about class times, facilities or enrolment enquiries, get in touch with the team.
Next Step
Ready to take flight?
Whether you are a physical arts training novice hoping to stay active and socialise, or a serious performer looking for high-end professional training and facilities, everyone is more than welcome at APPA-NI.
Complete the online registration form and our team will contact you about the right aerial class for you.
Visit our Castlereagh centre
APPA-NI is at complex number 5 on Prince Regent Road, Castlereagh, Belfast, with ample parking available.