Mandarine Circus School

Founded in 1992 , the Mandarine Circus School is a Brussels circus school located in Uccle , in the Calevoet district. For over thirty years, it has offered children and teenagers the opportunity to discover and develop various circus disciplines in a friendly and supportive environment.

Children as young as 3 can begin practicing circus-based activities. Designed specifically for younger children, this activity uses the world of the circus to promote the development of gross motor skills, coordination, and balance.

Through exercises, games and various physical experiences, children gradually learn to better understand their bodies and gain confidence in their abilities.

From the age of 6 , the school offers a broader exploration of circus techniques. Children can, in particular, learn juggling and balance disciplines .

Juggling allows you to experiment with different forms of manipulation, particularly with balls and scarves, as well as other objects. These exercises gradually develop concentration, coordination, and dexterity.

Balance is another important component of learning. Unicycling, in particular, is one of the disciplines historically taught by the Mandarine Circus School.

The trapeze holds a particularly important place in the program. Specific courses allow students to discover and then deepen their practice of the static trapeze.

Children can start trapeze from the age of 8 with a beginner group. Intermediate and then advanced groups allow them to continue progressing into adolescence.

Aerial work gradually develops strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence at height. The goal is to allow students to acquire new skills at their own pace while enjoying the process of progress.

The Mandarine Circus School also places great importance on artistic expression . Its teaching is therefore not limited to physical techniques and object manipulation.

Theatrical techniques and clowning can complement circus practice. The work focuses in particular on voice, diction, use of space, concentration, mime and learning sketches.

This dimension allows children to discover the circus as a true performing art. Mastering a technique gradually becomes a means of developing creativity, stage presence, and personal expression.

For teenagers, the courses allow them to delve deeper into the different disciplines, to perfect the techniques already acquired and to begin to develop a more personal artistic style.

The school's teaching methods place great emphasis on self-confidence . Balance, aerial techniques, and the various challenges encountered during the sessions allow children to gradually learn about their abilities, overcome certain apprehensions, and trust others.

The annual courses are mainly held on Saturdays at the Calevoet Municipal School. The Mandarine Circus School also works in collaboration with the Uccle After-School Program to offer activities on Wednesdays .

In addition to regular classes, workshops are organized during school holidays, notably in partnership with the municipality of Uccle. These allow children to discover or continue their circus skills in a more intensive format.

The training year runs from September to the end of June and culminates in a grand annual show . This performance allows young circus artists to present their work from the season to an audience and to fully experience the stage presence of the circus.

With over thirty years of existence, a practice accessible from early childhood, general circus courses, a significant specialization around the trapeze and complementary work in theatre and clowning, the Mandarine Circus School constitutes a historical structure for amateur practice of circus arts in Brussels.