The first time jump roper Adrienn Banhegyi was in Windsor she was promoting physical fitness in schools.

Banhegyi returned to Windsor this week as part of Cirque du Soleil.

The acrobatic circus performance group opens a week-long show Jan. 11 at the WFCU Centre. In the lead-up to the show, the tour bus will make stops throughout the city, beginning Thursday at the Windsor Jewish Centre.

"I’m pretty sure they’re going to experience some high energy," Banhegyi said.

She is one of a team of jump ropers in the touring show entitled Quidam, about a young girl's escape into a world of imagination.

Banhegyi was born and raised in Hungary, where her father was a gym teacher. She began jumping rope 18 years ago.

"I like the fact you can work with a team or work individually," Banhegyi said. "It gives you a lot of space to be creative."

She tried out for Cirque Du Soleil six years ago.

She said performers are put through a litany of tests, including chin-ups, rope climbing, dancing and singing.

"That was a surprise, actually," she said of the vocal test.

Banhegyi said she loves the fact Cirque du Soleil allows her to express herself.

She said performers in Cirque du Soleil are expected to a singer, dancer, actor and acrobat.

It's a gruelling job that requires daily training. The tour comes complete with a backstage gym for the performers to use.

Banhegyi performs as many as eight shows a week. Not every show is perfect, but the accompanying band is there to hide the odd blemish, by playing a few extra bars when needed to allow the performers to get back on track. But a flawless show is the ultimate goal.

"That’s the goal; to make it look easy," Banhegyi said.