Canopy Studio

Welcome to Canopy Studio, a truly unique and exhilarating performing arts center located right here in Athens, Georgia. More than just a place to learn dance, Canopy Studio is a vibrant non-profit community arts center dedicated to enriching the culture of our community and the lives of individuals through the captivating world of flying dance trapeze, movement education, and other thrilling aerial arts. Since opening its doors in 2002 under the visionary leadership of founder Susan Murphy, Canopy Studio has become a beloved institution, offering a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and physical abilities can discover the joy of movement, build incredible strength and confidence, and experience the magic of aerial performance. Imagine defying gravity, learning spectacular new skills, and becoming part of a supportive community that celebrates every victory, big or small. This comprehensive article will delve into what makes Canopy Studio a highlight of Athens's cultural scene, exploring its accessible location, diverse range of services, and the unique features that make it an exceptional choice for locals in Georgia.

Canopy Studio is conveniently located at 160-6 Tracy St, Athens, GA 30601, USA. Situated in the vibrant city of Athens, this address places the studio within easy reach for residents throughout the city and surrounding areas of Georgia. Tracy Street is a well-known part of the Athens landscape, making navigation to the studio straightforward for visitors. The area generally offers accessible parking options, which adds to the convenience for those attending classes or performances. Its location in Athens ensures that this unique aerial arts experience is readily available to the local community, minimizing travel time and making it easy for individuals to incorporate aerial training into their routines. As a significant community arts center, its accessible placement reinforces its role as a cultural hub for movement and performance within the greater Athens-Clarke County area.

Canopy Studio offers an extensive array of services and programs designed to cater to a wide range of ages, skill levels, and interests within the aerial and movement arts. As a community arts center, their offerings extend beyond just classes, encompassing performances, workshops, and community outreach.

• Aerial Dance Trapeze Classes: This is a core offering, with instruction in flying dance trapeze for beginners to advanced students. They have various levels including "Intro to Everything" for newcomers, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, which delves into individual choreography and advanced sequences. Classes are offered in 8-10 week sessions.

• Aerial Fabrics/Silks Classes: Students learn basic footlocks, climbing, vocabulary, sequencing, and conditioning, progressing to more complex vocabulary and higher aerial work. Prerequisites include completing a full session of trapeze before enrolling in fabrics classes for most students, with some exceptions for private lessons for younger teens.

• Aerial Lyra (Hoop) Classes: Instruction in this suspended hoop apparatus, focusing on strength, flexibility, and dynamic sequences.

• Vertical Pole Classes: From introductory levels for those with no aerial experience to mixed-level and intermediate/advanced classes that require inversion skills, focusing on strength and technique on the pole.

• Specialty Aerial Equipment: Beyond the main offerings, Canopy Studio also explores other aerial apparatus like rope, web, and invented equipment, providing a diverse aerial experience.

• Stretch & Conditioning Classes: These ground-based classes, such as Aerial Yoga (using a sling for support) and Strength & Flexibility, are designed to complement aerial training by improving splits, range of motion, and functional conditioning for aerial skills.

• Workshops: Canopy hosts a variety of specialized workshops, often featuring guest artists (including members of Cirque du Soleil in the past). These workshops delve into specific techniques, performance artistry, or introduce new apparatus, such as Cloudswing, Fabric & Slings, and Vertical Theater Method.

• Performances & Shows: The Canopy Repertory Company performs two major shows annually, with additional student shows and "Open Mic Nights" throughout the year. These events provide opportunities for students and professional aerialists to perform, and for the community to witness spectacular aerial artistry.

• Private Lessons: Available for individuals or small groups, offering personalized instruction and faster progression. This is also an option for younger teens (11-14) to begin fabrics training.

• Camps & Kids Programs: Canopy offers camps and regular classes specifically designed for youth, providing a fun and safe environment for children to learn aerial arts.

• Birthday Parties & Gatherings: The studio is available for rental for unique birthday parties and other private gatherings, offering a fun and memorable aerial experience for groups.

• Community Outreach Programs: As a non-profit, Canopy actively partners with schools and resource centers to provide accessible movement arts. They offer scholarships and financial aid (over $69,000 in 2024), adapted PE field trips, low-cost/free community workshops, and free tickets to performances to ensure aerial arts are accessible regardless of background, age, or physical ability.

Canopy Studio stands out as a unique and invaluable institution in Athens, Georgia, boasting several features and highlights that contribute to its strong reputation and community impact.

• Inclusive and "Bigger Girl Friendly" Environment: A highly praised highlight is the studio's genuinely inclusive atmosphere. Reviews explicitly mention that the classes are "bigger girl friendly," and the studio's mission reinforces that aerial arts are for "all individuals, regardless of background, age, or physical ability." This commitment creates a welcoming and empowering space for everyone, fostering confidence and self-esteem.

• Exceptional and Nurturing Instructors: The teaching staff, exemplified by Ms. Deb and Ashley in a customer review, are consistently described as "wonderful instructors" who provide "amazing" and "positive energy." Their ability to make students feel comfortable, regardless of their fitness level, is a key feature that makes learning aerial arts accessible and enjoyable.

• Unique Aerial Arts Focus: Unlike typical dance studios, Canopy Studio specializes in aerial arts, offering rare opportunities to learn flying dance trapeze, aerial silks, Lyra, and vertical pole. This niche focus provides an exciting and challenging alternative to traditional fitness and dance forms.

• Community Arts Center with Non-Profit Mission: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Canopy Studio is dedicated to enriching the community's culture. This mission drives their extensive outreach programs, scholarship opportunities (awarding over $69,000 in aid in 2024), and efforts to break down barriers to participation, making aerial arts accessible to diverse populations.

• Spectacular Performances and Repertory Company: Canopy Studio is not just a school but also a performing arts theater. The professional Canopy Repertory Company presents two major shows annually, and student performances are regular occurrences. These shows are a testament to the high quality of instruction and provide inspiring entertainment for the local community.

• Comprehensive Class Offerings for All Levels: With over 70-100 classes offered weekly in 8-10 week sessions, Canopy provides structured progression from "Intro to Everything" for absolute beginners to advanced levels, ensuring continuous growth for all students. They also offer camps, workshops, and private lessons.

• Variety of Movement Education: Beyond aerial apparatus, the studio offers complementary classes like Aerial Yoga and Strength & Flexibility, providing a holistic approach to movement education and physical well-being.

• Unique Event Hosting: The ability to host unique birthday parties and group gatherings on the trapeze offers a memorable and distinctive experience not found elsewhere in the area.

• Positive and Empowering Environment: Testimonials consistently highlight the studio as a "great place to learn," an "interesting studio," and a place with "wonderful environment" and "so much positive energy." This focus on joy, confidence-building, and resilience through movement is a central characteristic.

For those in the Athens, Georgia area, eager to defy gravity, explore movement, or simply witness spectacular aerial artistry, here is the contact information for Canopy Studio:

Address: 160-6 Tracy St, Athens, GA 30601, USA

Phone: (706) 549-8501

Mobile Phone: +1 706-549-8501

For locals in Athens, Georgia, Canopy Studio is an extraordinary and invaluable community asset that offers far more than just aerial classes. Its suitability for the community stems from its unique blend of specialized artistic instruction, profound inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to personal empowerment. This is a place where "people of all size and shapes" are genuinely welcomed and encouraged, making the thrilling world of aerial arts accessible to everyone, regardless of prior experience or perceived physical limitations. The "amazing" and "wonderful" instructors, like Ms. Deb and Ashley, foster an environment brimming with "positive energy," ensuring that learning is both effective and incredibly fun. Whether you're looking for a novel way to build strength and confidence, a unique activity for a group outing, or simply want to be captivated by breathtaking aerial performances, Canopy Studio offers something truly special. As a dedicated non-profit, its extensive outreach and scholarship programs further underscore its mission to enrich lives across the community. For any resident in Georgia seeking an inspiring, challenging, and joy-filled way to engage with movement and art, Canopy Studio in Athens is a truly unparalleled destination.

Canopy Studio

160-6 Tracy St, Athens, GA 30601, USA