What Circus Harmony does

Circus Harmony is a St. Louis–based nonprofit performing-arts organization founded in 2001 by Jessica Hentoff that uses circus arts as a vehicle for youth development and social-emotional learning. It operates the city's only social circus organization and complete circus school, serving more than 600 children and youth annually (ages 3 through adult), with over 70% receiving scholarship assistance. The organization delivers instruction in aerial arts, acrobatics, juggling, contortion, plate-spinning, hand-balancing, and wire-walking, and produces more than 300 student-led performances per year reaching an estimated 89,000 audience members. Its signature methodology, Peace Through Pyramids, connects children across racial, religious, socioeconomic, and national lines through shared circus practice and now includes active international exchanges with Galilee Circus in Israel (since 2007), the National Circus School of Puerto Rico (since 2018), and Circus Circuli in Stuttgart, Germany (since 2020).

The underlying "technology" is pedagogical rather than digital: a validated social circus curriculum built around pyramid-building as a metaphor for community bridge-building, a Circus Science program integrating STEAM concepts into physical instruction, and a teacher-apprentice model in which advanced students train and earn income teaching newer students. Content assets include the award-winning book "Watch Out for Flying Kids," the documentary "Circus Kids," and an Interactive Cookbook featuring 43 acts. Operational footprint is anchored at the 3rd floor of City Museum (650 N. 16th St., St. Louis) with outreach classes at five municipal recreation centers and partnerships with schools including Saul Mirowitz, Ames Elementary, and The College School.

Revenue is diversified across earned and contributed streams: semester classes at $10–$25 per session, summer camps at $600–$625 per two-week session, private lessons at $75/hour, ticketed annual shows ($15–$20), merchandise (Defy Gravity Coffee, branded apparel, books), and event performance bookings. The contributed side is substantial and diversified: federal NEA grants, Missouri Arts Council funding, Regional Arts Commission support, the Arts and Education Council, Boeing, and a roster of private foundations (Kranzberg, Saigh, Bellwether, Trio, DCA, Staenberg). Customer concentration is low and spread across individual families, ticket buyers, and a wide grantor base.

Name

Circus Harmony

Legal name

Circus Harmony

Website

https://circusharmony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Circus Harmony is a St. Louis nonprofit founded in 2001 that uses circus arts instruction and performance to deliver youth development and social-emotional learning, serving 600+ children annually (70% on scholarships) through classes, camps, and the signature Peace Through Pyramids bridge-building program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Circus & Physical Theatre (MPAGABAL)

Keywords

• Circus arts education
• Youth circus training
• Social circus programs
• Performing arts instruction
• Youth development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Class and Camp Fees: Semester-based circus classes ranging from $10-$25 per class, summer camps at $600/session (registering before May 1st) or $625 after, and winter/spring sessions running 15 weeks each.
2. Private Lessons: Private and semi-private lessons at $75/hour per person, $25 for each additional participant.
3. Ticket Sales: Annual shows and performances at City Museum generate ticket revenue. Shows like Nocturne priced at $20 (includes City Museum admission), Swashbuckle at $15.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Defy Gravity Coffee ($15 for 12 oz), 'Watch Out for Flying Kids' book, merchandise including t-shirts, juggling balls, peacock feathers, and plush mascots.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Not-for-profit organization relying on donations, Big Top Society monthly giving program, scholarship fund donations, and grants from foundations like National Endowment for the Arts, Regional Arts Commission, and others.
6. Maple Circus Caramel Partnership: Partnership with The Caramel House in Olivette to sell Maple Circus Caramel, with proceeds supporting flying children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Circus Harmony is a nonprofit social circus organization that provides circus arts instruction and performance programs for youth and community members. It offers classes, summer camps, pre-professional training, and ticketed annual shows in disciplines including aerial arts, acrobatics, juggling, balancing, contortion, and tumbling. The signature Peace Through Pyramids program uses circus arts to build bridges between children from different countries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Product overview

Circus Harmony is St. Louis' only social circus organization and complete circus school, operating since 2001. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of circus arts education and performance programs centered around its core Peace Through Pyramids initiative, which uses circus arts to motivate social change and build bridges between communities. Core offerings include circus classes and training (from beginner to pre-professional), summer camps, the elite St. Louis Arches performance troupe, and specialized programs like Circus Science (STEAM education), Architecture and Acrobats (history through circus arts), and the Flip Out Try Out for advanced students. The organization also presents multiple annual shows including Nocturne, Swashbuckle!, Unbound, and Misterioso. Supporting revenue streams include merchandise (Defy Gravity Coffee, Maple Circus Caramel, apparel, books), scholarships (Flying Children, Reggie Moore Memorial, Warren Bacon Memorial), and performance bookings. Notable products include the award-winning book 'Watch Out for Flying Kids' and the documentary 'Circus Kids,' as well as the Interactive Cookbook digital publication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Defy Gravity Coffee: Whole bean, organic coffee blend of Guatemalan and Colombian coffee supporting the Flying Children Scholarship Fund.
• Maple Circus Caramel
• Watch Out for Flying Kids (Book)
• Peace Through Pyramids
• St. Louis Arches
• Circus Science

Products and services

• Circus Classes and Training Circus arts instruction including aerial, acrobatic, juggling, comedy, and balancing acts for ages 3 through adult, offered at City Museum and community centers throughout St. Louis. Students progress from beginner to advanced levels across 15-week semester sessions.
• Summer Camps Two-week intensive summer circus camps at City Museum with Beginner and Advanced programs, culminating in daily performances for audiences. Five two-week sessions available for ages 3 through adult.
• Personalized Pre-Professional Training Intensive training program helping participants prepare for circus college auditions and professional careers, offering 20 hours weekly of classwork plus open training and performance opportunities.
• Flip Out Try Out Try-out program for young people ages 10-16 who can already do multiple back handsprings to explore if circus training is right for them.
• Circus Science Innovative educational program combining science concepts with circus arts instruction, exploring Newton's Laws through tumbling, force concepts through plate spinning and hooping, and anatomy through physical practice. Delivered as school workshops and partner programming.
• Peace Through Pyramids Signature social circus program connecting children from different countries, cultures, neighborhoods, and backgrounds through circus arts to build bridges between communities. Active programs include Israel (since 2007), Ferguson (since 2015), Puerto Rico (since 2018), and Germany (since 2020).
• St. Louis Arches Performances Elite youth performance troupe performing acrobatic, aerial, juggling, and balancing feats year-round at City Museum and events throughout St. Louis and beyond, serving as the organization's flagship performance group.
• Defy Gravity 101 Outreach program bringing circus classes to local schools and community centers, empowering children through risk-taking, fitness improvement, and life skills cultivation.
• Architecture and Acrobats Program using circus arts to tell stories of historically and architecturally significant St. Louis sites through free live shows and videos created by youth circus performers, screened at St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase and other venues.
• Annual Circus Shows Series of annual ticketed full-length circus performances at City Museum, including Swashbuckle! (seafaring adventure featuring unicycling, contortion, mini-trampoline, wire-walking), Nocturne (dreamlike show about overcoming fears), Unbound (unfettered fairy tales), and Misterioso (somersaulting sleuths solving a wild whodunit). Tickets $15-$20 including City Museum admission.
• Book a Show Performance booking service for hiring Circus Harmony youth performers to appear at private events, corporate functions, festivals, and special occasions. Contact via [email protected] or 314-436-7676.
• Watch Out for Flying Kids (Book) Full-color hardcover book about Peace Through Pyramids partnership with the Jewish/Arab Galilee Circus in Israel, available for purchase through the online store and gift guide.
• Circus Kids (Documentary) Award-winning documentary film by Alexandra Lipsitz about Peace Through Pyramids partnerships.
• Interactive Cookbook Digital publication featuring 43 circus acts paired with recipes, available twenty-four/seven as a digital interactive viewing experience.
• Defy Gravity Coffee Whole bean organic Guatemalan/Colombian coffee blend sold in 12 oz bags, with proceeds supporting the Flying Children Scholarship Fund.
• Maple Circus Caramel Caramel candy product named after mascot Miss Maple, sold at The Caramel House in Olivette, with proceeds supporting flying children of Circus Harmony.

Quantifiable outcome

• Self-regulatory skills improved from 53% struggling to 19% after program completion
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Via PartnershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2022Partnership with Via Partnership for 'Watch Out for Flying Children' photography exhibit at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (March-September 2022).
• Circus Circuli (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership formed in 2020 during pandemic to celebrate 60th anniversary of St. Louis-Stuttgart sister cities. Created 'Sister City Circus' video collaboration. First in-person meeting in 2023 in Stuttgart, followed by 2024 exchange in St. Louis.
• The Last Hotel STLsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2019Provided lodging in downtown St. Louis for Puerto Rican troupe during Revolution for Harmony Tour 2.
• Escuela Nacional de Circo de Puerto Rico (ENC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2018Partnership started in 2018 with National Circus School of Puerto Rico's social circus program. Created Revolution for Harmony Circus Tour bringing circus joy to hurricane-ravaged parts of Puerto Rico. Extended with 2019 tour bringing Puerto Rican troupe to St. Louis.
• The College SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner school in Peace Through Pyramids local partnerships, collaborating on circus arts education and bridge-building programs.
• Ames Elementary SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner school in Peace Through Pyramids local partnerships, bringing circus arts to students and building community connections.
• Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2015Jewish day school partnership for Peace Through Pyramids: Ferguson/Mirowitz program. Children from Ferguson and Saul Mirowitz learn circus arts together, culminating in joint performances.
• St. Stephens Episcopal Church (Ferguson)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2015Weekly Peace Through Pyramids classes held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Ferguson, provided for FREE to students from Ferguson and surrounding areas.
• Galilee Circus (Israel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Long-standing partnership since 2007 between Circus Harmony's St. Louis Arches and the Jewish/Arab Galilee Circus. Combined they form the Galilee Arches, working together on Peace Through Pyramids program. Multiple exchange visits between St. Louis and Israel (2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016).
• City MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Home venue for Circus Harmony performances and classes. Located on 3rd floor of City Museum in Downtown St. Louis. Long-standing operational partnership.
• American Circus EducatorssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Industry organization supporting Flying Children Scholarship Fund and general operating expenses.
• St. Louis Stuttgart Sister CitiessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Supporting partnership with Circus Circuli in Stuttgart, Germany, celebrating sister city anniversary and funding international exchange.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Circus Smirkus: Vermont-based nonprofit youth circus offering training, summer camps, and touring performances. Closely comparable as a youth-focused nonprofit circus education and performance organization.
• Trapeze School New York: Aerial and circus arts training school with multiple U.S. locations. Comparable as a circus arts instruction business serving students from beginner through advanced levels.
• École nationale de cirque (National Circus School): Montreal-based pre-professional circus training institution. Comparable as a circus education organization producing performers for Cirque du Soleil and the global circus industry.
• Circus Flora: St. Louis-based professional one-ring circus founded by Jessica Hentoff as a founding member. Directly comparable as a local circus organization with shared talent pipeline and overlapping artistic community.
• Circadium: U.S.-based circus training school offering professional and pre-professional programs. Comparable as a circus education organization with similar mission of developing performers.
• Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: New York-based nonprofit youth and community circus offering training and performances. Comparable as a community-anchored nonprofit circus organization serving diverse youth.

Broad incumbents

• Big Apple Circus: New York City-based established nonprofit circus. Comparable as a larger, more established circus organization where Jessica Hentoff is a founding member, with broader resource base but less youth-development specialization.
• Cirque du Soleil: Global entertainment circus enterprise and the largest employer of Circus Harmony alumni. Adjacent as the destination employer in the same talent ecosystem, though at vastly different operational scale.
• 7 Fingers (Les 7 Doigts): Montreal-based contemporary circus company and Circus Harmony alumni employer. Comparable as an established circus organization within the same talent ecosystem, though focused on touring productions rather than youth education.

Others

• American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO): National industry organization supporting youth circus education. Comparable as a stakeholder in the same ecosystem that has awarded Circus Harmony's founder and supports its scholarship fund.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/circusharmony
• Xx.com/circusharmony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/circus-harmony-flying-trapeze-center

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Circus Harmony