Zôfy Circus School – Saxon (Valais, Switzerland)

The Zôfy Circus School is a Swiss institution dedicated to teaching, training, and creation in the circus arts. Located in Saxon , in the canton of Valais, it has been developing a comprehensive approach to contemporary circus for over twenty years, accessible to both amateur practitioners and young people wishing to undertake intensive artistic training.

A pioneer in promoting circus arts in Switzerland, Zôfy has progressively developed a genuine educational pathway ranging from the discovery of the circus to preparation for pre-professional practice.

Throughout its history, the school has notably supported nearly 90 artists through more than 17 seasons of professional training, helping to prepare several generations of young people for major international circus schools.

Today, his project is structured around three major complementary pathways : recreational courses, performance training and the Circus-Studies program, also called Sport-Art-Training.

Leisure classes

The recreational classes welcome children, teenagers and adults of all levels, from the age of two and a half .

For younger children, parent-child sessions provide an initial introduction to movement through play, music, stories and adapted physical activities.

From the age of four , students can join multidisciplinary courses to experience the major families of circus arts.

Juggling

Juggling plays an important role in teaching, including balls, scarves, clubs, hats, diabolos, devil sticks, Chinese plates, bolas and ribbons.

The balance disciplines

Balance disciplines also allow exploration of work on ball, wire, rolla-bolla, unicycle, pedal boat and hand balances.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is another pillar of the training.

Students gradually discover ground work, lifts, pyramids and hand-to-hand, as well as different jumping and propulsion techniques.

The school has equipment including mini-trampoline, large trampoline, tumbling and Airtrack .

More specialized acrobatic disciplines, such as the Korean plank, the Hungarian plank and the Russian bar, are also part of his teaching universe.

Aerial arts

Aerial arts enjoy a particularly well-developed place.

The teaching includes, in particular, the fixed trapeze, aerial silks, hoop, rope, straps and various suspension techniques.

Specialized courses allow students aged at least ten years to delve deeper into aerial disciplines or to perfect their skills in acrobatics and trampoline.

A comprehensive pedagogy

Learning is organized in a progressive manner, with groups adapted to the age, level and objectives of the participants.

However, pedagogy is not limited to technical mastery.

Zôfy combines circus disciplines with physical expression, theatrical play, musicality and artistic research.

Each student is encouraged to develop their creativity , confidence , perseverance , and ability to work with others.

Regular classes take place during the school year and culminate in performances allowing participants to present their learning to an audience.

The performing arts training

For young people wishing to further their practice, the school offers a performance training course accessible by selection from the age of twelve .

This program is for motivated students with physical, artistic and human aptitudes that allow them to engage in more intensive training.

It includes a minimum of five hours of weekly practice , supplemented by independent training, workshops and rehearsals.

The students are working on creating individual and group acts intended to be presented in shows and events.

The Circus-Studies program (Sport-Art-Training)

Zôfy also develops a Circus-Studies program, called Sport-Art-Formation (SAF) .

Intended for students who have completed the orientation cycle, this program allows them to continue their schooling while devoting significant time to circus practice.

It is based on a collaboration between the circus school, schools and families.

Students benefit from at least eight hours of training per week and gradually develop a thorough artistic and physical experience.

This training provides an interesting stepping stone for young people considering further studies in circus arts.

Internships and external interventions

The school also organizes internships during school holidays .

Open to children and teenagers from four to eighteen years old , they allow a discovery or a deepening of circus disciplines over several consecutive days.

The internships are offered in Saxon and occasionally in Saint-Maurice , in Valais.

Zôfy also operates outside its premises for entertainment, shows, school workshops, birthdays and private or professional events.

Infrastructure and teaching staff

The school benefits from an infrastructure that is particularly well-suited to its activities.

Located in a former industrial hall of over 600 m2 , it has a high ceiling allowing in particular the practice of the large trampoline and aerial disciplines.

Instruction is provided by a team of qualified artist-teachers and certified Youth & Sport instructors .

As a member of the Swiss Federation of Circus Schools and FEDEC , Zôfy also maintains links with national and European circus training networks.

With its multidisciplinary teaching, specialized equipment, intensive artistic programs and support for young people towards advanced practice, the Zôfy Circus School is an important player in the transmission of circus arts in French-speaking Switzerland.