Trapeze High owners David Ayers and his wife, Lindsay Van Voorhis, refer to their trapeze school as a “tribe.” It’s home to a close-knit community of passionate fliers who work together in order to ensure everybody’s safety and development. At least three instructors operate the trapeze rig during classes for beginners, helping novices climb the ladder, attach their safety lines, get ready for takeoff, and execute their first trick. Exhaustive attention also extends to more advanced students, who can hone complicated techniques and learn how to dodge flying squirrels in courses up to Level 5.

Beyond guaranteeing operational safety, David and Lindsay recognize that maintaining a nurturing, supportive community is the best way to help newcomers overcome their fears of flying through midair. To that end, they invite students to bring along their friends and family to cheer them on. They ban the word can’t from the school premises, although they encourage each student to progress through lessons at his or her own pace according to strength, skills, and desire.

The husband-and-wife team also operates the Circus Fund, an outreach program that provides at-risk youth with the chance to experience the circus arts and form support systems with their peers.