Virtual classes help ‘circus girl’ reach her full potential

A self-described “freakishly strong” circus artist, 14-year-old June Manville is chasing an unusual dream.

The 5-foot-2-inch, 95-pound freshman has her sights set on attending Canada’s École Nationale de Cirque, a prestigious school that trains some of the world’s top circus artists — think the “Juilliard School” of circus performers.

But you won’t find lines of elephants and colorful clowns with enormous shoes. These girls and young women who train in aerial arts — or circus arts — are extreme athletes and graceful performance artists.

They possess unnatural flexibility as contortionists and the endurance, powerful strength and physique of an accomplished gymnast. They test the physical ranges possible for the human body. circus shirt

“It’s extremely hard to get into,” June said about attending the circus college.

“I have a few coaches that have tried out for it. And it’s like an audition, and they haven’t made it, but they got very close … so my goal is to make it into there,” she said.\