Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Barberi.
Hi Emma, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story is truly one-of-a-kind. I come from a family of 14, and with so many kids interested in different aspects of the arts, chauffeuring everyone to different activities quickly became overwhelming. That’s when my parents had the idea to open a studio of our own. The rule was simple: we could add whatever we wanted, but it had to be offered at the studio.
At the time, I was taking aerial silks, so we added that to the curriculum. To our surprise, others in the community were interested too and began asking if we could add more circus apparatuses. The circus program grew and grew until it became its own full circus center. Around the same time, several of my siblings were passionate about musical theatre, so we incorporated that as well. Both programs have continued to flourish side by side.
It has been such a special experience working as a family—spending long days and late nights painting, cleaning, decorating, and planning together. I started out teaching a few circus classes and quickly fell in love with it. Now, seven years later, I’m still teaching and loving every moment.
Today, the programs are thriving. My sister Isabelle manages the musical theatre side, while I oversee the circus center. And as a fun bonus, my dad Roy leads an 80’s rock cover band, which performs the first Saturday of each month.
We couldn’t be more grateful for where we are today, and we give all the glory to God for guiding and blessing this journey every step of the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We initially didn’t have a lot of circus experience and we relied on experienced instructors, like Grace Good, to guide us and grow our program. We did the same with the musical theatre side, learning a lot from directors, choreographers, and the many people who worked backstage. Opening our own theatre has presented unique challenges, but it’s been a rewarding experience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a circus teacher, performer, and now the manager of our circus center. For the past seven years, I’ve had the joy of teaching circus arts across a wide range of apparatuses, including silks, lyra, trapeze, sling, stilt walking, and hula hoop. Alongside teaching, I’ve performed in a variety of venues on silks, lyra, water bowl, hula hoop, stilt walking, and lollipop lyra.
While performing is something I love, I am best known today as a teacher and manager. What I’m most proud of, though, is the culture I’ve worked hard to build within our community. Supporting the mental wellness of children is especially close to my heart. I strive to be a safe space, a confidence builder, and a constant encourager for my students. My goal is for every child to feel strong, capable, and confident.
Because of this focus, our students often mirror those same values, creating an environment that is incredibly kind, supportive, and uplifting. No matter the age, everyone here celebrates each other’s progress—and that’s what makes our community so special, setting us apart from many others.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are several people I can credit for my success, and the first are my parents. They have always believed that anyone can accomplish whatever they set their mind to. I’m so grateful they instilled that belief in me—not only by always supporting me, but also by teaching me to believe in myself.
I also owe much to my sister, Isabelle. Throughout my teenage and young adult years, she showed me the value of a strong work ethic—something that isn’t always taught, but is absolutely essential.
Finally, I’d like to honor Steve Werbelow, who has since passed. Steve was our biggest supporter and one of the hardest workers we’ve ever known. From building our stages to rigging lights to cheering us on, he made an incredible difference in our lives. He taught us that we are capable of hard things—but more importantly, he showed us how to enjoy the process and laugh through the mistakes.
Pricing:
- Circus Classes – $80 a month
- Theatre shows – $380 + $50 deposit
- Circus Show Registration Fee – $0
- Circus Party – $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://expressioncity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressioncity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressioncity
