Pittsburgh Aerial Silks, Ben Avon

For Holly Dayton-Kirby, the love of aerial acrobatics stems from a familiar source: Cirque du Soleil. After witnessing one of the troupe's performances in 2010, the owner of Pittsburgh Circus Center set about learning the arts for herself. Today, she oversees a school where students try their hands at aerial silks, Lyra (hoop), trapeze, and other fitness classes inspired by the circus arts. In an example of a dream coming full circle, she even hosts workshops from Cirque du Soleil veterans whenever they're in town. Pittsburgh Circus Center has been in business for nearly 10 years. Instructors are skilled and patient.