I’m a ballet/jazz/contemporary dancer turned pole dance instructor and performer, Master Trainer and Content Developer for Liquid Motion, as well as a full-time professional ballroom dance competitor and instructor. I’ve danced for over 30 years, starting at the age of four and continuing my education at the University of Georgia, where I earned my B.S.Ed. in Dance Education.
Without pole, my life would have been completely different. Pole dance has given me the strength and self-confidence that I wish I had in my previous dance training. It has helped me to enjoy exercise, work toward goals, and achieve the impossible. Pole has allowed me the freedom to unleash my feminine sensuality and to celebrate my body rather than hide it or judge it. It gives me an outlet to express myself creatively and explore movement just for movement’s sake. The pole fitness world is a small one, and it is incredibly supportive to all its members. One of the best ways pole has affected me is the community I’ve found. Through pole, I’ve met amazing people as I’ve traveled across the country to visit pole studios, making memories and building lifelong friendships. I feel incredibly lucky to have been involved in pole dance and this wonderful community for over a decade now.
How She Got Started:
In college, I was fortunate enough to have access to aerial apparatus training within the dance program. I dabbled in aerial silks, Lyra, and trapeze. Later, in a strange twist of fate, I found myself living in Ireland back in 2006, right at the start of the pole dance fitness craze. I interviewed for a job teaching ballroom dancing at a studio that offered hip hop and pole fitness classes as well. The owner of the studio asked if I would be willing to try pole dance, and i couldn’t resist the chance to try something new! After being hired, I trained every day in the pole classes until I was ready to teach them. Pretty soon, I was the head instructor at the studio, in charge of developing the pole fitness program.
Instructor Philosophy:
If you don’t feel a little weird at some point in my class, then I’m not doing my job.
I love inspiring people to learn, explore, and grow as dancers and individuals. There’s nothing better than seeing the proud look on a student’s face after accomplishing something that they previously deemed impossible.
IRL (In Real Life):
Other than teaching, I compete as a professional ballroom dancer. I also enjoy travel, playing (or trying to play) musical instruments, drawing, painting, and gardening. I’m married with no kids, but I have three awesome pets: Lucy (6-year-old fluffy rescue mutt), Tiberius (5-month-old Great Dane puppy), and Aggie (gorgeous but aloof black cat).
Random fact:
I am terrible at swimming and riding a bike is a joke. I’m pretty clumsy at everything except dancing.
Accomplishments
Certifications/Qualifications:
- B.S.Ed. in Dance Education
- Liquid Motion Master Trainer
- XPERT Certified
- ElevatED Certified
- UKA Certified Ballroom Instructor
Associations and Sponsorships:
- Liquid Motion
- Mighty Grip sponsored
Private Lessons Available with specialties in:
- Liquid Motion
- Pole Flow
- Floorwork
- Basic to Intermediate Tricks, Flexibility, and Conditioning
I also teach at:
- SuperShag Dance Studios