Charm City Movement Arts

Specialties

Adult and children’s classes and workshops; Circus arts, yoga, dance, creative movement, tightwire, juggling, acrobatics, handstands, hand balancing, Chinese acrobatics, slack lining, ballet, Broadway tap, Burlesque, modern dance, partner balancing, kinder circus, toddler circus, unicycling, tumbling; Intro workshops, performances, party space, gift certificates, art exhibits, community.

History

Established in 2011.

Charm City Movement Arts is an independent circus school that provides professional instruction for students of all ages from Baltimore and beyond. Classes and performances work to strengthen and increase interest in the circus as an art form. Seasoned faculty lead a curriculum that includes ballet, burlesque, creative movement, Chinese acrobatics, juggling, physical conditioning, tap, tightwire, tumbling, yoga and youth circus. CCMA is one of the few schools in the United States, and the only facility in Maryland, that offers year-​round ongoing instruction in tightwire. In addition to session classes, CCMA also offers performances, private lessons, intro workshops, corporate team building exercises and party space. High-​profile performances by CCMA faculty have included the Nik Wallenda Highwire Walk across Niagara Falls and Inner Harbor, Highlandtown Farmers’ Market, Baltimore Art & Music Project (AMP) and Winter Festival of Wonders.

Meet the Business Owner

Erica S.

Business Owner

Erica’s career began at the age of 12 performing as a trombone player with the Sugar and Jazz orchestra in Buffalo NY. She later went on to acquire a BS in Dance and Political Science from SUNY Brockport as well as a graduate degree in Carribean Dance and Culture from Edna Manley College in Kingston Jamaica. Saben relocated to Philadelphia after college where she performed with numerous dance companies including Latin Nation, Brazil Productions, London’s Royal Ballet, Miro Dance Theatre, and many more. Her circus career began by accident when she was spotted on stage at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music by the Give and Take Jugglers. She was invited to join their touring show and taken under the wing of Dave Gillies and Nick Gregory who shared their 30 years of circus knowledge. Later Saben was introduced to Shana Kennedy of Philadelphia School of School of Circus Arts. Erica still performs with the Give and Take as a wire walker, aerialist, obscure puppeteer and juggler.