Jaki Hicks. Jaki Hicks is a 20 year old working college student. In her spare time Jakie is either poling, dancing, or teaching her students acro. Jaki has a background in gymnastics, cheer-leading and dance, and loves to do pole! For Jaki, pole has been nothing but a great impact in her life, mind and body, and she can’t wait to have the opportunity to perform and meet other dancers who share the same bond!

Stacy Discount. Stacy Discount is a native Florida girl who fell in love with pole in 2009. She was instantly hooked and began attending pole class almost everyday. Just as she became an advanced level student and began considering competing, Stacy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. She was forced to take two years off while she battled cancer and was able to return to the sport in February of 2013, the minute she got medical clearance. Entering back into her beloved pole community gave Stacy a positive outlet and an enjoyable way to rehab her body and regain her strength. Stacy now trains at Pixie Fitness in Pompano Beach, Florida. Stacy’s love for fitness has always been at the center of her life but pole is now at center stage.

Kristin Sherée. Kristin grew up in Tampa, Florida; and after finishing school, moved to Jacksonville. Finding herself in a new city and knowing no one, she decided to try a pole class and hasn’t looked back. She is motivated by the endless challenge that pole provides, and couldn’t be more grateful for all the positive changes that pole and Bittersweet Studios has brought into her life.

Jo N. Jo discovered and fell in love with pole fitness just over 3 years ago. She started this sport at just over 30 years old, with no prior dance or gymnastics experience. Jo’s life has been literally turned upside down by pole fitness. It has given her more confidence, courage, grace, patience, stamina, and strength than she ever had, and has brought her many wonderful friends who share this passion with her. Jo is always researching new moves or combos to train, and chatting with other ‘poler’ bears. She takes lessons or practices at least 4 times a week. Jo currently trains at Lotus Fitness Studio, and the Body Club, in Orlando FL.

Gabriella Gambino Gabbie grew up in Florida where she found her passion for fitness as she played in a competitive soccer league. Her enthusiasm for fitness continued when she joined the Navy. She became an assistant fitness leader at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. Needless to say, military fitness lacked the beauty and grace she craved. Her passion for fitness was not fulfilled until she found pole fitness slightly over a year ago. Gabbie believes pole fitness is the complete balance, where both strength and beauty can be expressed.

Elaine Marerro. Elaine is a mother of 4 beautiful children who’s passion for pole has grown since the first day she stepped in Allure Dance. Elaine is a co-owner of Pole Mamas LLC, creators of Pole Body Grip. Elaine is also currently training for an upcoming WBFF competition and is very excited for the opportunity participate in these events.

Ekaterina Lavrova. Ekaterina is original from Russia, but moved to Miami about 5 years ago. Ekaterina discovered pole dancing almost 2 years ago and ever since it’s her favorite workout. Without any previous dancing background, Ekaterina feels pole is her chance to dance.

Dawn Humphries. Dawn is Group Fitness certified through ACE and an XPERT Certified Pole Instructor. She is also a massage therapist, skin care specialist, mother, wife, vegetarian, student of life, yoga lover, personal growth advocate and personal limits investigator!

Brittany Bate. Brittany began pole fitness in 2013 as a way to regain strength after enduring several injuries from a car accident. It helped her gain the confidence back in her body as well as her strength. She fell in love with combination of agility and grace on the pole. Brittany currently enjoys sharing her passion for pole through teaching and performing. Her love of health and fitness led her to become an AFAA certified group instructor in 2008 and is currently pursuing a second BS degree in Human Nutrition.

Courtney Dickerson. Courtney has 6 years of technical dance training, 10 years of gymnastics, about a year of experience with pole fitness. She teaches at Diva Doll Fitness and The Climber’s Acrobatic School. Courtney is currently attending college for a master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Therapy. Outside of school and sports, Courtney enjoys music and art, specializing in piano.

Joscelyn Perez. Joscelyn danced ballet briefly as a teenager from the ages of 13 to 18. She found pole about three years ago in late 2011 and immediately fell in love with the beauty and challenge. She started teaching pole a little over a year ago at Polestars.

Svetlana Semenishcheva. SvetLana is originally from Russia and now lives in Miami for several years, where she trains and works as an instructor at SoBe Pole Dance studio. SvetLana started pole dancing two and half years ago out of curiosity and immediately fell in love with this incredible form of art!

Leah Franklin. Leah Franklin has been pole dancing for almost two years at Muse Pole Fitness in Columbia, Missouri. Leah graduated college in 2012 with a degree in dance but was always seeking out other performance opportunities. She cherishes every opportunity she gets to perform. Some memorable performances the 2014 Michigan Pole Fest showcase, placing second at the PSO national competition in the championship level 3 division, performing at the Midwest Presentation Showcase, the Scare Away Breast Cancer fashion show and fundraiser in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and most recently Secret Sircus in Detroit, Michiagan. When Leah is not on stage, she works as dance teacher and freelance choreographer.

Kelly Goss. Kelly is a pole fitness instructor and competitor. She has been pole dancing for four years and competed for the last two all over the country.

Rafaela Montanaro. Rafaela was born in a family of athletes, and begun he career at the early age of 3 with gymnastics, ballet, contemporary and ballroom dance, and at the age of 16 she was admitted at the renowned École Nationale des Arts du Cirque de Rosny-sous-Bois in France. In 2008 Rafaela received a degree in Physical Education, and at the same period practiced Kung-fu Wushu and was part of the national team in 2006. In 2009 Rafaela began her pole career, and only 5 months after starting, she won the National And South American Competition. Pole certainly was love at first sight! Rafaela Believes that winning is possible to everyone, as long as there is commitment,focus and determination. To be always at the top of her game she practices everyday for long periods, not only her pole technique, but also aerobics exercises, and dance lessons as well. “To be an athlete is not only a Physical condition, but also a Psychological condition.” Other Titles Include: 2013 – Pole Art Champion – International Pole Championship 2012-2010 – Pole fit Champion – International pole Championship 2009-2012 – South American Champion 2011 – 2nd place – Pole World Cup National Champion – 2011 and 2009 2010 – 3rd Place and Best Tricks Award – Miss Pole Dance World

Janine Cooper. Janine first discovered pole-dancing 5 years ago and since then, she’s been hooked. She became a double-certified pole fitness instructor and wanted to help others bring out their “sexy swagger,” all while getting a good workout and having fun doing it! For her, pole dance fitness stands for strength, beauty and empowerment. She says that every day, she encounters women who are trying to attain that “perfect” body. However, she makes it her job to encourage them to believe in themselves and realize that anything is possible, with a little determination and commitment. She believes that pole dancing can help build their confidence in order to make them comfortable in their own skin and to be proud of their bodies, regardless of size, shape or form. Through pole dancing, she wants to be able to inspire, entertain, and encourage others to reach their fitness goals. Janine is originally from Miami, FL and in 2012, she won 2nd place in Pole Dance America’s Miss South Carolina Pole Dance Competition and the title of “Miss Flexibility.”

Katie Cooper! After years of ballet and growing up in a conservative home, the moment Katie discovered pole dancing was life-changing. The freedom to move exactly how she wanted to, to whatever music inspired her, to tell whatever story she needed to tell: that was what pole brought her. From emotional contemporary routines to booty-popping dances to sultry floor choreography, Katie spans the genres of dance, making them accessible to all levels in her poleography classes. Her YouTube channel documents her class routines, performances, and freedances, showcasing different styles, all of them mesmerizing. Katie recently won 1st place at the 2014 Southeast Aerial Art Championship Professional Pole Division.

Jaime Barclay. Jamie has a background in gymnastics, figure skating, and personal training. She fell in love with the art of pole In 2011, as it allows her to utilize her strength and flexibility in creative ways. Jamie began performing in various showcases both in Denver and Florida and recently performed in Florida’s “Pole for a Purpose” fundraiser event. This will be her 3rd competition.

Amanda Chown. Amanda is a chemistry major at Florida State University with a dance background. Amanda has been pole dancing for four years and is a pole fitness instructor at Queen of Hearts Fitness in Tallahassee.

Cassandra Pavolic. Cassandra resides in Philadelphia PA, and loves pole art! Her first competition was the NAPDC 2014 and she placed 2nd in the masters division. Cassandra truly enjoys performing and is always looking for another venue to share with audiences how the art of pole is for anyone who wants a challenge as well as anyone who just wants to have fun and get in shape at the same time!