Be A Legend – Art Lab

Be A Legend – Art Lab is a school dedicated to circus arts , aerial disciplines , and performance arts, created in Portugal by professional circus artist Bea Lamelas . The project offers regular classes in the Porto region and in Aveiro , and is aimed at people wishing to discover or deepen their understanding of various physical and artistic practices.

An identity linked to the journey of its founder

Be A Legend's identity is strongly linked to the journey of its founder. Bea Lamelas began her artistic training at a very young age with rhythmic gymnastics , a discipline she practiced competitively at an international level . She then continued her journey in dance before turning to circus arts and making it her profession.

She trained at Codarts Circus Arts in Rotterdam, Netherlands, one of Europe's leading higher education institutions dedicated to contemporary circus. There, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Circus Arts with a specialization that included contortion , hand balancing , object manipulation , acrobatics , and the fundamentals of various aerial disciplines.

This professional background directly informs Be A Legend's educational approach. The school aims to impart technical skills while placing significant emphasis on creativity , artistic development , and personal expression . The goal is not only to master new moves, but also to learn to use movement and body techniques as means of expression.

Aerial disciplines

Aerial disciplines play a significant role in the program. The school offers aerial hoop , aerial hammock , and vertical silks . These various activities allow students to progressively learn to move in suspension and to work on figures, positions, and sequences adapted to each student's level.

Vertical silks is also among the disciplines offered. This iconic aerial circus practice particularly demands strength , coordination , and body control . The training gradually introduces the climbs , positions , locks , and sequences specific to this apparatus.

Acro Dance and handstands

Be A Legend also offers Acro Dance . This discipline establishes a direct link between dance and acrobatics by integrating acrobatic elements into choreography. It allows for the simultaneous development of body technique , coordination , musicality , fluidity of movement , and the artistic dimension of the practice.

Handstands, or balancing acts , are another important specialty of the school and directly reflect Bea Lamelas's circus background. This practice requires precise work on positioning , body alignment , strength , mobility , coordination , and the constant pursuit of balance .

Flexibility, contortion and pole

Flexibility and contortion also play a significant role in the teaching. As Bea Lamelas herself specializes in contortion in her career as a circus artist, the school benefits from experience directly derived from professional practice. The work allows for the progressive development of mobility and range of motion while cultivating the control necessary for the artistic application of this flexibility.

The program also includes various disciplines related to pole dancing , notably pole sport , pole dance , and aerial pole . These practices combine strength , coordination , mobility , acrobatic moves , and artistic expression . They complement the school's aerial and physical training offerings.

A welcoming and progressive environment

Be A Legend aims to create a welcoming environment where each student can progress according to their level and abilities. The school places particular emphasis on creativity and artistic development , as well as building self-confidence .

Regular classes are organized in small groups . For the 2025-2026 academic year, the school is announcing groups limited to approximately six to ten students, depending on the discipline. This structure allows for instruction tailored to the practice of technical disciplines that require particular attention to the positioning and progress of each participant.

The school operates on a regular academic year schedule. The 2025-2026 season begins in September, and the holiday periods coincide with those of the official Portuguese school system. This allows students to integrate their practice into a steady progression throughout the year.

A professional artist at the head of the school

In addition to her teaching role, Bea Lamelas also pursues a career as a professional artist . Her repertoire includes aerial disciplines , contortion , hand balancing , object manipulation , and dance . She also develops shows and performances and participates in artistic events and productions.

Her international experience has allowed her to work in diverse artistic contexts and develop a vision of contemporary circus where technical mastery is closely linked to stage presence and creativity . This experience is a key characteristic of Be A Legend, whose teaching is directly led by an artist with advanced professional circus training.

A cross-cutting approach and a philosophy of personal development

The school thus possesses an identity situated at the intersection of several worlds: contemporary circus , dance , acrobatics , aerial disciplines , and physical practices . This cross-disciplinary approach allows students to explore movement in different forms and to simultaneously develop their physical abilities and artistic sensibility .

Be A Legend's philosophy also rests on the idea that performing arts can contribute to personal development . Learning a demanding discipline, the gradual discovery of new abilities, and the execution of movements that may initially have seemed difficult all contribute to the development of perseverance and confidence .

The school thus wishes to offer a space in which students can learn in good conditions, develop their knowledge and skills and find their own way of expressing themselves through the disciplines offered.