Ruby Karen Project/Orange County Aerial Arts

Southern California’s premier and the first aerial circus school in Orange County, California,  the Ruby Karen Project / Orange County Aerial Arts (RKP/OCAA), is an aerial circus performing arts school for Kids, Youth, Adults and Seniors.  In January 2009, the school started recreational classes which also lead to its academic sector, offering beginners to professional classes.  It provides a yearly placement examinations for students serious enough to focus on circus education.

Currently RKP/OCAA has it headquarters in Costa Mesa, with its satellite studio in Downtown Los Angeles, but closed its LA branch since the pandemic.  The school is also a teaching facility to many instructors coming from within the local vicinity, out of state and other countries.  They undergo and graduate from the RKP/OCAA teaching curriculum – IATTP (International Aerial Teacher training Program), an intensive, rigorous and comprehensive course adopted as the teaching tool for Aerial Arts America’s certification program, the latter being the governing institution for aerial teacher certification.

The school also boards in classes relating to circus arts and fitness programs, and produces theatrical, industrial and commercial productions that not only include aerial circus arts but also ballet, contemporary and latin dance.  As safety is first in its list, RKP/OCAA provides technical rigging consultancy, not only to its school, productions and clientele, but also holds workshops to educate the general public about safety through proper training and space.

The founders and directors of (RKP/OCAA) are seasoned veterans in the performing arts industry, a combined 50+ experience in the fields of dance, circus arts, sports and fitness.  Ruby Karen has taught and performed continuously in over 20 countries and 50 cities, with repeated invitations for return visits. Aside from holding three world titles in ballet, acrobatics and latin, Ruby Karen has made a name in the household community as a visionary in the education and performing arts, with continuous innovations, setting standards in the aerial industry through its one and only unsurpassed festival, the West Coast Aerial Arts Festival and its education strategies that lead and provide awareness and safety education to other organizations.