Chrysalis Circus School

The Chrysalide Circus School is a non-profit school located in the Pays de Gex, in the Ain department. It currently offers regular classes in Ornex and Prévessin-Moëns as well as workshops , shows , events and performances throughout the region.

A story linked to Nicolas Isambert

The story of Chrysalide is closely linked to Nicolas Isambert . He discovered juggling during his BAFA (youth leader qualification) in 1996 and then gradually developed various juggling and balancing techniques. After becoming a youth leader, he incorporated these practices into his educational activities.

Upon arriving in Gex in 2006, he noticed that the offerings dedicated to circus arts were very limited in the Pays de Gex region. He began organizing juggling workshops in Gex. Their growth and the participants' desire to explore more disciplines gradually led to the creation of the Chrysalide Circus School, which was established as an association in 2011 .

In 2015 , the school moved to Grilly and began to develop more regular courses, workshops and activities. The number of members increased rapidly and exceeded one hundred by the 2017-2018 season.

In 2018 , Chrysalide moved to the Sergy Sports Centre to have more space and to be able to develop its equipment and activities. The school then had over 160 weekly participants .

From 2019 onwards, the introduction of aerial arts instruction marked a new stage in its development. The educational offering expanded and now allows students to explore the main branches of contemporary circus arts.

Today, Chrysalide boasts over 200 annual members . The association is administered by a board of directors made up of volunteer parents of students.

Regular classes

Regular classes welcome children from 4 years old . The 2026-2027 season includes specific groups for 4-5 year olds , 6-8 year olds , 9-11 year olds and 12-16 year olds .

A multidisciplinary teaching

The teaching is multidisciplinary . Juggling and object manipulation have historically held an important place in the school. Students also discover object balancing, acrobatics, unicycling, and aerial disciplines.

The school places great importance on personal progress . Each practitioner can discover several families of disciplines before further developing those with which they have the most affinity.

The teaching method values perseverance , concentration , autonomy , body awareness , creativity , and cooperation . Circus arts are viewed as a physical , artistic, and social practice.

Stage performance and shows

Stage performance complements technical training. Chrysalide supports students in creating acts and shows and notably has a Performance Group comprised of experienced students from the school. These young artists work together on a creation intended for presentation at various events.

The association also develops original forms of performance and street theatre. The " Circus in Cycles " project, for example, combines unicycles, juggling, acrobatics and mini-stages in a traveling format presented at events.

Internships and external interventions

In addition to the annual courses, Chrysalide organizes workshops during school holidays . These allow children and teenagers to practice circus arts over several days and to deepen their understanding of the different techniques.

The school also has a significant external activity. It works in schools, leisure centers, nurseries, with associations and local authorities, as well as at public events.

These interventions can take the form of a simple introduction, but also of projects developed over several weeks or months. The team can work with partner organizations on juggling, acrobatics, balancing, and stage performance, and support the creation of a show.

The association can also train adults who supervise the public: activity leaders, educators, teachers, or physical education instructors. This training allows partner organizations to continue certain practices after Chrysalide's intervention.

Very present in local cultural life, the Chrysalide Circus School regularly participates in events in the Pays de Gex and has developed over the years numerous activities, shows and workshops.

With over 200 members , courses from age 4 , workshops, shows, external interventions and a practice now covering the main families of circus arts, Chrysalide is one of the important amateur circus schools in the Pays de Gex .