Competitors
Congratulations to our Tri-Pole Challenge Winners: Natasha Wang-Pole Am, Caterina Gennar-Mrs. Spinster, and Mina Mortetzaie/Nadia Sharif- Bi-Poler
Click on the competitors pictures to be taken to their performance videos.
Pole Drama
Michelle Stanek (First Place, Polarity-Pole Drama)
Nearly four years ago, Michelle fell in love with pole dancing at Crunch Gym in New York City when she realized it was the perfect culmination of her important life skills: Classical and modern dance training, albeit rusty, + an inherent sassiness + having fun. Following being laid off after six years as the program curator for AIGA, the professional association for design, in December, she has fully committed her time and energy to pole dance and fitness and has never been happier or healthier.
In January 2010, Michelle won Polesque, a pole-burlesque competition at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn. She has performed in several Pole Superstar shows, the multi-media, modern and aerial dance performance,”Out Through Her,” and was most recently seen in “Body & Pole,” a pole dance collaboration with dancers, sound designers and architects at PS1 MoMA. She was also recently casted as a “yoga girl” for an HBO series pilot, “The Miraculous Year,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Michelle has also performed with various dance companies throughout New York City in venues from Central Park, museums and theaters to bizarre corporate galas and events at 7:00 a.m. She can also be seen moonlighting on the pole at Quo nightclub (fully clothed) and is grateful for every opportunity to dance.
She teaches all levels at Crunch Gyms, her “Fluidity & Style” class at Body & Pole and has given countless parties for women and men in the city. On September 15, she is off to Stockholm, Sweden to teach pole dance and to have an overall fabulous Scandinavian adventure.
Michelle also has a BA and MA in art history and lectures to children, college students and adults in the US and Italy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/michelle5444
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Marlo Fisken (Second Place, Polarity- Pole Drama)
Movement is my life… I have had 23 years of dance training and 9 years experience as a personal trainer with certifications in nutrition, yoga and pilates. I also have a B.S in anthropology and public relations from the University of Miami where my studies focused on human movement, nutrition, and communication
Her pole dancing skills have landed her features in New York Times, the New York Post, an AM NY cover “From Risque to Ripped”, Pink Floyd/Roger Waters 2010 world tour, and a SoBe Adrenaline Rush commercial.
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Kyra Johannesen (Third Place, Polarity-Pole Drama)
Most performers live for the chance to perform. They live for that moment when they are finally, once again, on stage. Moving. Breathing. Feeling. Being. Kyra Johannesen does not wait for that moment. For her, dancing is living. Kyra is quick to credit many talented teachers for instilling in her a respect for technique and a sense of professionalism. She began dancing in Phoenix, AZ at the age of four and later moved to Los Angeles to study at the Edge Performing Arts Studio, under Christina Woodard, Eddie Garcia, and Doug Caldwell. In 2005 Kyra discovered pole dancing. She quickly embraced this new form of dance, and shortly after was asked to develop the pole-dancing program for Crunch gym. Since then Kyra has appeared on national television, and numerous media outlets, to show and discuss her style of pole dancing. In 2009 She was one of the 12 finalists for the US East Coast pole dance championships. In 2010 Kyra placed 2nd in the USPDF Amateur Division. She has taught in Europe at different pole events and workshops and in Dec 0f 2009 joined the forces of Body & Pole in New York City. She has been the principle choreographer for Wide Angle Records and Way Out Productions. She has choreographed accompanying performances for international musicians and bands. Her own company has received acclaim for the shows Out Through Her, Women in Their Bedroom, The Dream, and Remote. In the summer of 2010, Kyra choreographed a series of performances to accompany the architectural installation “Pole Dance” at PS1 MoMA. Her vision for performance is her vision for life – Grow, be honest, your story is beautiful; let’s just tell it. For her, dancing is living life. She delivers in every moment, on and off the stage
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Lela Song
Lela has had a passion for dance since age 5, when she began taking ballet and Chinese folkloric dance. During high school she joined a DC-based dance company that fused the strength, grace and discipline of ballet with the multitude of traditional movements and story-telling that characterize traditional Chinese dance forms, a path that has led to performances in such places as The Kennedy Center. Although she left the path to pursue a career in another passion, biological science, dance has remained an integral part of her life – a much-needed physical and creative outlet. In 2005, she discovered pole dancing at our very own Shergold Studio and has been hooked ever since! Lela is currently finishing her Ph.D. in the field of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Virginia, where she is studying the development of embryonic body shape and form in very early mouse embryos. Although this appears worlds apart from dance, Lela sees beauty and art in what she does and argues that much of her work requires a good eye for photography, only at the microscopic level. She is looking forward to graduating and moving with her husband to New York City, where she believes will be the perfect medium in which to pursue both her passions.
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Stephanie Skyy
Stephanie graduated College with a BA in sociology from Shippensburg PA and ended up working full time in government subcontracting world as a Procurement Manager for a large company. She has been a certified aerobic fitness instructor since 2004 and one of the original instructors with DivaFit Pole Dancing Studio in Northern VA since 2006. Stephanie is proud to say she grew with the studio as both an instructor and as a pole dancer and loves the freedom and empowerment pole dancing gives you!
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Angela Edwards
Angela Edwards is owner and founder of PoleLaTeaz Dance Studio with locations in Atlanta, Houston, and New York City (opening in 2011). She started pole dancing 5 years and instantly fell head over heels..literally!! Her background includes ballet, marching band, and Winter Guard International. Angela is honored to be sharing the stage with such talented pole dancers. She would like to give a special thanks to all of her instructors and students who encouraged her to compete. Angela is looking forward to showcasing her unique theatrical pole dance and hopes to see more more theatrical style pole dancing in other national pole dance competitions.
www.youtube.com/ang1734
www.polelateaz.com
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Erica Shergold
Erica Shergold, VA
Erica added Pole to her list of favorite dance styles 5 years ago. She has an extensive background in the Performing Arts, Social and Ballroom dance, as well as studying Flamenco, and now the Aerial Hoop and Silks. Erica finds endless joy teaching, choreographing and performing Pole, Burlesque, Social dance, and Ballroom dance at Shergold Studio, a family owned business based in Charlottesville.
www.efitdance.com http://www.youtube.com/user/lacirose
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Jessalynn Medairy
Jessalynn is a world class and professional performer and instructor; she is the owner of Pole Pressure and the organizer of the International Pole Convention. Jessalynn has studied the art of pole dancing for 4 1/2 years, was the centerfold to Pole2Pole Magazine in the October 2008 issue, has toured and taught the UK 2 times, judged pole competitions in the US and UK, received her professional pole status in September 2009 and has competed in 3 USPDF Competitions. She also teaches and organizes classes and convention events full time. Pole Dancing is life!
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Trixpert
Becca Butcher (First Place, Polarity- Trixpert)
Becca Butcher got involved in Pole Fitness when her, and her husband went in for a couples class at a local pole fitness studio. She was hooked from her very first spin and hasn’t been able to stay away since. She started going to classes once a week then after 3 months, started substitute teaching. At 5 months of pole experience she began instructing the advanced classes, and every level of pole. In her first Competition she placed First in the Tricks Competition and Second in the advanced category. It opened the doorway to many more opportunities for performing and competing. Having never done any form of dance, it has been a bit of a challenge for her to learn grace and elegance. But she finds the challenge exciting, and enjoys mixing power moves with slow combos. She loves researching new moves and combinations to share with all the girls and learn together and challenge each other. She thinks It’s wonderful to come to the studio, and leave feeling empowered as a woman.
Becca has had the fantastic opportunity to perform at some very exciting competitions. She was selected as one in only 6 women in the United States to compete in the the first Pole Superstar competition in New York City, then shortly after was selected to compete in the first Amateur division for the National championship. She also placed in this years season of Vertical Pole Challenge, and will go on to the Finals! She also was selected to perform martial arts on America’s Got Talent!
Performing Pole brought her into the exciting world of Aerial arts and she’s developed a deep love for the Aerail Silks, Aerial Hoop, and Corde Lisse
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Rebecca Starr (Second Place, Polarity Trixpert)
Rebecca Starr was born in Los Angeles, CA. She started gymnastics at the age of 3 and later developed skills in the Circus Arts. Since 2004 she has been performing as part of an aerial duo known as “Lyralicious”. She recently discovered Pole Dancing and started training at Vixen Fitness in Orlando, FL. She has also studied with Kyra Johannesen at Body & Pole in NYC. Rebecca is excited to be joining the the world of pole dancing and is looking forward to combining her background in Gymnastics, Circus and Dance to help change the public’s perception of Pole Dancing and promote it as not only a sport, but an athletic form of art.
www.vixenfitnessonline.com
www.youtube.com/starrstyles
www.Lyralicious.com
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Vakeisha Wimberly (Third Place, Polarity- Trixpert)
Vakiesha Wimberly is a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor that LOVES to pole!! As a wife and mother of two daughters she has used pole dance to take her fitness abilities to new heights! She is a self-taught pole student that credits the use of YouTube and the online community www.StudioVeena.com for all that she has learned. She shares her passion for pole with women teaching in-home Pole Dance Parties in Atlanta, GA and the surrounding areas (www.Ripped4Real.com & www.youtube.com/SkittlesOnline). She is currently sponsored by House of Pole (www.houseofpole.net).
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Annemarie Davies
Annemarie has been pole dancing since January 2001, only a small time before it was “all the rage”. Beginning gymnastics at age five, she then went on to become a competition cheerleader for 11 years. It was there where she learned to dance, become flexible and do daredevil type stunts and flips on a regular basis. In 2006, she won Entertainer of the Year for Spearmint Rhino. After touring the country as a feature dancer, Annemarie began the difficult transition from the strip clubs to professional pole dancing and performing. Since then, she has been instructing in pole dance studios and has freelanced or been hired as a pole dance performer in venues in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Currently, A.m. runs UPA and unitedpoleartists.com with the help of her little sister, Alexandra Davies. This is a website dedicated to pole dancing and to dancers all around the world.
www.unitedpoleartists.com
www.evovledancestudio.com
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Takeila Fox
Takeila is a professional pole dancer, instructor also an aspiring fitness model, who has been pole dancing for going on 3 years. Without any professional training she began to compete in pole dancing competitions and has recently placed 3rd in the USPDF East Coast Regional. Her main goal in competing is to change the views of the closed minded so that pole dancing can be viewed as an art. Takeila Fox is a 2010 USPDF Finalist, 2009 USPDF 3rd Place Winner, Vertical Pole Challenge Finalist, Ultimate Pole Dance Semi-Finalist, International Pole Dance Semi-Finalist and American Pole Fitness Championships finalist.
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Nicki Shaw
My name is Nicki Shaw I am a criminal justice major at Northeast State . I am also a pole dancer/ instructor. I discovered the art of pole dancing shortly after quitting martial arts. Originally I was training in kick boxing and judo, but after 8 years I became bored and decided to quit. I wanted to find a sport that was somewhat more feminine but would still allow me to show off my strength that’s when I discovered pole dancing and immediately fell in love. I was amazed by the beauty and strength it represented. I am a completely self taught pole dancer via youtube or myself. Although I have just in the last few months started working out at Stiletto Fitness with Mrs. Sabrina Woods. It was only this year I discovered that Pole dancing has become a recognized world wide sport and I just want to do my part and my best in representing the art of pole dancing.
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Tavon Hargett
I, Tavon Hargett aka Jungle Cat, am a male pole fitness student at Pole Pressure studio, located in Washington, DC, which is owned by USPDF competitor, Jessalynn Medairy. I am 28 years old and I’m a Librarian. I’m very family oriented although I don’t have any children. I look forward to one day getting married and having a family of my own; although, Currently I am single and have been practicing Tantric Celibacy for the past 5 years. I have been pole dancing for one year. I enjoy watching anime, doing yoga and Pilates at home (although I’m not very good at either ha ha), Zen meditation, picnics, walks in the park, and playing on the jungle gyms and monkey bars at the playground and dressing up in costumes and playing make believe like a big kid!! 
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Sabrina Woods
Sabrina Woods, Greensboro, NC, has been pole dancing just over 14 months and is a Studio Owner, along with her husband Dave. Sabrina has been a Certified Personal Trainer for 17 years, but most recently devotes regular time teaching pole dance fitness in her Studio. Sabrina also enjoys training with Aerial Silks and is working towards completing 200 hrs of Registered Yoga Training. Sabrina is very honored and happy to be performing among such talented and accomplished women in this competition.
www.fitness1studios.com & www.stilettofitnessboutique.com
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We are proud to announce our finalists for the Tri-Pole Challenge.
Pole-AM
Natasha (First Place, Tri-Pole Challenge- Pole-Am)
Natasha has been pole dancing five years and trains at Los Angeles’ Be Spun, The Pole Garage and Kinetic Theory Circus Arts. She began competing in 2009, first at the California Pole Dance Championships and the USPDF West Coast Regionals. She also started performing that same year in local pole dance showcases such as Medicinal Mondays at Good Hurt and Kelly Yvonne’s Girl Next Door show at King King, where she is one of the principle dancers.
Find me at: www.youtube.com/cricketwang
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Mary Kolacinski (Second Place, Tri-Pole Challenge-Pole-Am/Pole-Am People’s Choice Winner)
My name is Mary and I am 20 years old. I have been dancing since I was 9. I was trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. I have always had a passion for music and movement. I started pole dancing at age 17 at a studio called Goddess Fitness in Santa Clarita. I fell in love with pole dancing right away! Shortly after I started taking classes I was asked to become a teacher. I have been teaching ever since and growing in my passion for pole dancing.
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Sabrina Woods (Third Place, Tri-Pole Challenge- Pole-Am)
Sabrina Woods, Greensboro, NC, has been pole dancing just over 14 months and is a Studio Owner, along with her husband Dave. Sabrina has been a Certified Personal Trainer for 17 years, but most recently devotes regular time teaching pole dance fitness in her Studio. Sabrina also enjoys training with Aerial Silks and is working towards completing 200 hrs of Registered Yoga Training. Sabrina is very honored and happy to be performing among such talented and accomplished women in this competition.
www.fitness1studios.com & www.stilettofitnessboutique.com
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Reiko Makino
I come from a background in Hiphop and Jazz. I taught Hiphop and I was a tour dancer with B’z. Later,I wanted to get more skills,and I began pole dancing. I was instantly addicted to pole dance. When pole dancing I feel free,empowered and sexy. I also have learned to challenge myself. I have performed in japan, Korea, Shanghai, the LA Pole show, and the California Pole Dance Championship. I perform Medicinal Monday and Girls Next Door. Currently I have a collaboration with Nami Tamaki.
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Amy Richard
Born in Paris, France and classically trained in ballet since the age of 5, I recently discovered pole dancing following in the footsteps of my younger sister Amber. I completed my MA in Elementary Education, researching the relationship between dance and social interactions. The physical challenge, dynamics, artistic expression, and a great feeling of empowerment are the elements of pole dancing that keep me coming back for more and led me to really love this sport. As Jenyne Butterfly says, “For fun, for flight, for fitness!”
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Melissa Hein
I am originally from Michigan, but now reside in Portland, Or. I grew up playing the piano and flute for years. After I graduated from high school I went to college and eventually got my bachelor’s degree in general studies at the University of Michigan. While attending college five years ago, I discovered (advanced) pole one evening while I was working at a strip club near campus. I was amazed at this woman’s strength, and flexibility, and control. She had been in the industry for over a decade and was clearly a pro. I decided I wanted to learn myself… and fortunately a couple years later I was able to buy my own pole. I currently train in yoga and weight lifting, and occasionally belly dance. I also train with Aine, one of the owners of a local pole studio, the Brassy Butterfly, occasionally. In the fall I will be beginning my teacher certification for yoga and would like to pursue a career in personal training and fitness in the near future.
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Kirra O’Brien
Kirra has been a gymnast, dancer, cheerleader, and, most of all, athlete since she could walk. From ballet to motocross, she has always been drawn to experiencing physical strength, coordination, and expression. After witnessing a brilliant performance from one of the most accomplished aerial pole dancers in the world at a night club in Los Angeles, she caught “the fever”. It was then that she decided to start taking classes to learn from women who had mastered the combination of seduction, strength, and flexibility that burlesque, strip-tease, and acrobats had been showcasing for so many years. As an accomplished real estate broker, “pole dancing” seemed quite a risqué hobby, but she has found a paramount benefit from the practice. She believes that it has an implicitly positive effect on the psyche and loves to encourage others to try it. With just three months of training, Kirra has seen her body transform and has developed a longing to “fly” like no other art or sport she has practiced. She is grateful to be able to experience this life-changing phenomenon. Kirra has studied pole dancing at Allure, Evolve, and BeSpun Dance studios in Los Angeles and her videos can be viewed at www.YouTube.com/VerticalKirra
She can also be contacted at VerticalKirra@gmail.com.
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Mrs. Spinster
Caterina Gennaro (First Place- Mrs. Spinster)
Caterina Gennaro has excelled as a competitive gymnast, international model, underwater shark diver and photographer for the Discovery Channel and now as one of the top pole dancers in the country. Cat opened Poleates in 2006 to help women learn an incredible new way to get in shape, build self-confidence and to get in touch with their sensual sides. Cat first used pole dancing to get her body back in shape after the birth of her twins.
Her pole-dancing journey has taken her to national competition in Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles where she has established herself as one of the world’s elite dancers. Cat was a finalist in the USPDF nationals 2009, 2010, and regional’s in 2010. Cat is also a Board Member of the Pole Fitness Association (PFA) continuing always to promote the art and sport of Pole Dancing in a respectfully, passionate, athletic way. “I’m in the best shape of my life. I feel better, sexier, more confident than at any other time. Pole dancing is the perfect sensual escape for me balancing my busy career and raising twins.” Poleates is has expanded to Paris, France, and is also a leading training academy for the sport of Pole dancing. For Cat, the biggest reward comes from transforming and revitalizing the lives of her students!
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Noelle Wood
Noelle Wood fell in love with pole dancing after attending a girl’s night out party in 2006. She has over 13 years of classical dance training and has received pole dancing instruction from the best in the field including IPDFA Pole Dance Instructor of the Year 2009 Jamilla Deville, World Champion and Zumanity performer Felix Cane, Jenyne Butterfly of Las Vegas, NV, Pantera of Seattle, WA and KT Coates of Vertical Dance in the UK. She has been teaching pole dancing to all ages and abilities for three years and is a certified pilates instructor who has been teaching for 11 years. Noelle recently relocated to Tacoma, Washington from the San Francisco Bay Area and opened her new studio Poledello – www.poledello.com. She strives to build an understanding and acceptance about the artistry and athleticism of pole dancing in her new community. Noelle actively pursues aerial circus arts including static trapeze, hoop, silks and rope. EMW is her third competition and hopes this unique experience will inspire older women to try pole dancing and reach their goals.
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Melissa Rose
Melissa fell in love with pole fitness during her first class almost four years ago. At the time she was looking for a fun, unique workout that would motivate her to get back in shape after having her second child. Pole fitness did that and so much more! Now a complete pole addict, Melissa lives in Northern Virgina where she is an instructor and studio manager at DivaFit (www.divafitonline.com).
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Anjel Dust
Anjel is one of the early founders of Professional Aerial Pole Dance.
She is a Pole Dance instructor and Aerial Pole performer.
Her passion for this style of performance art began more than 15 years ago and has been growing ever since.
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Yvonne Pangramuyen
Yvonne has been pole dancing for 5 years. She’s an account executive assistant by day, seductive aerial artist by night. She’s expanded her aerial arts expertise to include tissue, combining dance and contortion to enhance the quality of her performance. She trains at The Pole Garage, Bespun and Kinetic Theory.
www.thepolegarage.com
www.bespun.com
www.kinetictheorytheatre.com
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Fran Stierstorfer
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, I am 49 years old, married with two children. My son, Daniel, is a trapeze artist and has performed in Cancun and the Bahamas. Amelia, my daughter, made the Dean’s list her first year of college and is my biggest fan. Three years ago I began pole dancing. In 2009, I placed 4th in a local competition. Prior to pole dancing, I was an aerobics instructor for 10 years, manicurist and owner of a snowball boat (Balls on the Bay). Full-time, I am a Human Resources manager for Maryland’s Public Health Laboratory. Pole dancing is has improved my strength and confidence. Most of all, through the sport of pole dancing, I have found dear friends – who will be traveling to California to support me. You can find me on facebook: Fran St.
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Shelly Lamb
Shelly Lamb is a late bloomer with a ridiculous passion for dance. She began formal dance training in college at age 25, received a dance scholarship at age 31 and went on to perform professionally everything from jazz to contemporary, go-go to salsa. Primarily self-trained in the art of pole dancing since 2007, Shelly has recently had the opportunity to observe and study with such pole masters as Jenyne Butterfly, Felix Cane, Jamilla Deville, and “Flying” Laura Martin. As a certified fitness, dance and pilates instructor Shelly has used her dance training, experience as a fitness instructor, and years as go-go girl to design and teach her own style of pole dancing to anyone wanting to learn. She operates her own pole dance company in the San Francisco Bay Area where she shares her passion for the art and athleticism of pole dancing with students of all ages and abilities. As the founder, director and primary choreographer of “ Women and their Poles”, a pole dance/dinner theater showcase in the SF Bay Area, she hopes to promote the art of pole dancing as the legitimate and respectable dance style that it is. Shelly is honored and thrilled to be a part of the East Meets West Tri-pole Challenge and hopes to represent the grand dames of pole fitness proper as a competing “Spinster”.
Shelly’s Blog: www.poledancingsanfrancisco.com
Website: www.shellyspolestudio.com
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Bi-Poler
Kiki Leigh/Brooke Swan
“KiKi Leigh” has been pole dancing for 4 years. She’s been teaching
group fitness for 7 years, including pole dance. She is also a certified
yoga instructor. She took up pole dancing after an injury during college
prevented her from returning to the Division I swim team. Currently she
owns and operates Pole Kraze in Murrieta, CA. In her spare time, she
enjoys the flying trapeze, lyra, and silks.
Brooke’s years of experience in gymnastics and as a competitive cheerleader makes her a natural as a pole dancer. She discovered pole fitness 1 year ago and has fell in love with the sport and became dedicated to it ever since. Brooke was born and raised in Southern California and is 19 years old. The Tri-Pole Challenge will be her first competition and she’s looking forward to many more after that.
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Mary Kolancinski/Celeste Ayers
(Mary’s description is located in the Pole-AM section)
Hi I’m Celeste Ayers. I’m 29 years old and I’ve been teaching and pole dancing for 4 years with Goddess Fitness Dance in Santa Clarita. I teach pole dance, hoop dance, and many other forms of dance for fitness. I believe that adults forget how it feels to be a kid and dancing gets to remind them. I hope one day to compete nationally and I’m excited to have made The Tri-Pole Challenge Bipolar Event my first competition!
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Lindsay Green/Valerie Gallegos
Lindsay Green was introduced to pole dancing in 2002 and has been hooked ever since. She is completely self-taught and before pole dancing, had no other dance experience. In 2006 she began teaching others and training women for pole competitions, and was able to compete in the USPDF West in 2009. Lindsay now teaches at Express MiE in Tempe, AZ and will continually strive to open minds to the beautiful art of pole dance.
Valerie Gallegos discovered pole dancing for fitness in 2006. She has a strong background in organized competitive sports, but never took an active interest in dance until she began pole dancing. Valerie is extremely passionate about pole dancing and continues to improve her technique. She now teaches Acrobatic Pole Dance at Express MiE in Tempe, AZ and is excited to take part in this competition.
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Sara McGinnis/Somer Ahonen
36 year old Sara Mcginnis from Salt Lake City Utah is a busy pastry chef, proud wife and mother of two. She discovered studio Soiree while her Husband was on deployment. She took on a second job as a pole fitness instructor and enjoys teaching and loves the challenge pole fitness brings.
Somer Ahonen 28 year old photographer from Salt Lake City Utah, when she found Studio Soiree she was addicted to the combination of art, fitness and Dance. She understands the feminine strength and beauty of the sport as it shows in her photographs and Dancing with her favorite girl Sara McGinnis.
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Torwa Joe/Monica Senior
Liberian-rooted princess by way of Atlanta representing Team Vertical Joe’s: Fiya Starta- named for her burning desire to turn everyday women into a “pole-a-holic” and for her being “fire/hot” on the pole. She has toured the country performing pole dance on several Lil’ Wayne Concert Tours, BET’s Hell Date, the Tavis Smiley Road to Health Tour and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Besides being Atlanta’s go-to woman for pole dance, Fiya Starta is an Aerobics Fitness Association of America Instructor (since 1998), a professional back up dancer and a proud member of the US Pole Dance Federation. She has worked with pole pioneers such as Jamilla Deville, Fawnia, Jenyne Butterfly, Alethea Austin and Nicole Williams. Fiya Starta’s talent division, manages US Pole Dance superstar and competitor Ms. Takeila Fox as a part of the Vertical Joe’s Dream Team! Fiya Starta owns Atlanta’s largest pole fitness studio, Vertical Joe’s Fitness Studio and instructor development program, The Pole Dance Teacher. She happily shares her signature Atlanta Acrobats pole tricks and rump shaking tactics with you in the form of a ‘pole-formance’! Don’t miss her show you how to pole A-T-L style!
Hailing from Jamaica by way of Atlanta Representing Team Vertical Joe’s: Showcase- named for her ability to showcase ridiculous pole tricks with little training. Her pole sisters named her the class showoff. Showcase began taking drop-in pole classes as a student in September 2007 and instantly became a “poleaholic.” After only 3 months on the pole, Showcase auditioned to become an instructor and the rest is history. She has attended pole dance workshops in the US and abroad. She has taken classes in Las Vegas at Pole Fitness Studio, and attended workshops in Jamaica with Alethea Austin, US Pole Dance Champion of BeSpun, Los Angelos and Michelle Mynx of Gravity Plays. Most recently, in December 2009, Showcase performed at the Jingle Bash Concert with Lil Wayne & Young Money artist, Shanell. Showcase is a CPR certified master instructor at Atlanta’s #1 studio Vertical Joe’s Fitness where she teaches pole fitness and her signature dance fitness class ‘Showout’. Watch Showcase show you how to do it A-T-L style.
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Mina Mortezaie/Nadia Sharif
Mina is the current USPDF (U.S. Pole Dance Federation) Amateur Champion. She comes from a background in Dance and Gymnastics. She has been Pole Dancing for 3 years and her style brings grace, strength, and flexibility to the pole. With a degree in Communications from UCLA, Mina’s resume includes experience in broadcast journalism and digital marketing. Mina has been featured in the LA Times for her pole dancing and has graced the cover of Pole 2 Pole magazine in December 2009. She is also a Brand Director for Bad Kitty Pole Wear and just launched a new clothing line made just for pole dancers called “Pole Fit.” Mina currently teaches at Evolve Dance Studio and Allure Dance Studio in Los Angeles.
www.polebymina.com
www.badkittypolewear.com
www.youtube.com/uslagirl
kjpoj
Nadia first started pole dancing at home in her bedroom, learning off of YouTube. After about 6 months of playing around on the pole at home, she went on to work at Jumbo’s Clown Room for the summer of 2008. This was also the summer where Nadia did her first pole competition, PoleStar by Xpolesitions. Shortly after the competition Xpolesitions asked her to start training to be an instructor. Since then Nadia has been teaching, competing and performing in the pole world. Nadia is so happy and thankful to be a part of the pole movement.
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Jessalynn Medairy/Tavon Hargett
Jessalynn is a world class and professional performer and instructor; she is the owner of Pole Pressure and the organizer of the International Pole Convention. Jessalynn has studied the art of pole dancing for 4 1/2 years, was the centerfold to Pole2Pole Magazine in the October 2008 issue, has toured and taught the UK 2 times, judged pole competitions in the US and UK, received her professional pole status in September 2009 and has competed in 3 USPDF Competitions. She also teaches and organizes classes and convention events full time. Pole Dancing is life!
I, Tavon Hargett aka Jungle Cat, am a male pole fitness student at Pole Pressure studio, located in Washington, DC, which is owned by USPDF competitor, Jessalynn Medairy. I am 28 years old and I’m a Librarian. I’m very family oriented although I don’t have any children. I look forward to one day getting married and having a family of my own; although, Currently I am single and have been practicing Tantric Celibacy for the past 5 years. I have been pole dancing for one year. I enjoy watching anime, doing yoga and Pilates at home (although I’m not very good at either ha ha), Zen meditation, picnics, walks in the park, and playing on the jungle gyms and monkey bars at the playground and dressing up in costumes and playing make believe like a big kid!!
