Ali Fitness Podcast EP054 – AERIAL DANCE ARTIST AMY SCHULSTER
Video
Description
Circus hurts. In training sessions, you get bruised and burned, you fall down. But the joy that comes from having a platform to express yourself, to become something outside yourself and communicate through art inspires Amy Schulster to pursue a career as a performer.
Amy is a freelance aerial dance artist in New York City specializing in dance, aerial and choreography. She has a background in classical ballet and a BFA in Dance and Urban Design from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Amy trained with the Professional Training Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts before joining the Company and Teaching Faculty at Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance in Boulder for the 2015-2016 season. Today, she trains clients in acrobatic conditioning, performs with aerial partner Christie Palermo as Femmes de Flight, and does solo appearances at venues like Webster Hall, Dixon Place, and Muse Brooklyn.
On this episode of Ali Fitness, Amy explains the lifestyle of a freelance aerial dancer, sharing her training schedule as well as the different types of performance opportunities in New York City. She walks us through her background in dance, her transition to trapeze, and the motivation behind her choice to be a performer. Amy offers insight into the world of classical ballet, discussing the health issues that plague many dancers and her own experience with rejection. Listen in to find out what inspires Amy to take the stage—even when ‘circus hurts’—and hear her advice for beginners interested in aerial dance.
Topics Covered
[0:45] The lifestyle of a freelance aerial dancer
Requires thick skin, intense training
Always learning new skills
Competitive environment
[2:42] Amy’s performances in NYC
Nightlife (i.e.: burlesque, music venues)
Entertainment for parties
Physical/immersive theatre
[3:41] A day in the life of an aerial performer
Work in training around job as PT
No time off, must be performance-ready
[5:34] What Amy’s training looks like
3-4 hours/day, 5-6 days/week
Warmup core, muscles around joints
Develop upper body strength
Conditioning days, choreography days
[9:54] How Amy recovers from intense training
Higher volume, fewer days
Eat well, drink water and sleep
[10:54] Amy’s background in dance
Ballet training from 10-18 (Russian technique)
NYU for dance opened eyes to choreography
[14:34] Amy’s transition to trapeze
Dislocated ankle in gymnastics accident
Gym had aerial and trapeze, trained with coach
Circus school in Vermont, joined Frequent Flyers
[19:20] Amy’s experience with rejection in the ballet world
Served as apprentice at ballet company
Contract not renewed based on physique
[20:29] Health issues among ballet dancers
Eating disorders, body dysmorphia
[22:19] The health of performers in the trapeze world
More accepting, community-oriented
Diversity of skill sets
[23:50] Amy’s support from family and friends
Balancing training with school difficult
Parents unusually supportive of performing
[26:17] Why Amy chose to be a performer
Form of communication, self-expression
Joy from music, movement and storytelling
[28:50] Amy’s advice for people interested in aerial dance
Look for beginner class at circus/dance studio
Very physical, but accessible to anybody