“I am 30 years old, and a native Oregonian. I have a strong background in gymnastics, having trained in it for 11 years, in addition to many years of experience with weight-lifting and fitness training. I have been doing pole acrobatics for over 9 years now, and exotic dancing for almost 10 years. Locally, I perform at the Acropolis on a weekly basis, and other venues, such as Dante’s, occasionally. I have been dreaming about opening a pole-dancing studio for several years now, so it’s very exciting for me to finally have the opportunity to teach others about this fun, sexy and challenging form of dance in a safe and comfortable environment."
Christy
Christy Novasio, known in the exotic dance loop as Pandora, teaches Pole, Strip-Aerobics, and Body Poetry. Her experience includes 7 years experience as a competitive gymnast, 5 years as a gymnastics coach, 5 years as an exotic dancer in New Orleans, Portland, Anchorage, and Los Angeles. Supplemental activities include ballet, jazz dance, yoga, and pilates. As a performer, Christy danced with the burlesque troupe, the Shim-Shammettes of New Orleans, and was a founding member of the Portland based burlesque troupe, The Cherry Tarts. She holds titles and placings in various Theme and Pole competitions in Portland, and remains known to the industry as one of Portland's premier pole-dancers. Although she retired from the strip industry 4 years ago, she can be seen at Dante's Sinferno on a regular basis. In teaching these classes, Christy hopes to spread her passion for pole/exotic dance, and to encourage women to gain confidence and personal strength as they unlock their own sensuality and power through the artistry and beauty of this movement.
Jessica
"Two years ago. I was bribed into taking my first pole dancing class, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Although I’m a school teacher and busy mother of three, I’ve found that making myself a priority is the key to sanity, and recreational pole dancing has allowed me to do just that. As a non-industry dancer and a born klutz, I bring the perspective of the “average woman”, with all the nerves and insecurities that come with it. My classes are slow and easy, and will meet you at your level. Dancing has changed my body and my body-image in profound ways, and I’m excited to share that perspective with other women. All ages, sizes, and baggage welcome!"
Chalese
"I have always loved to dance, and for the last eight years I have been teaching hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, jazz and tumbling. I have taught and choreographed for a competitive dance studio, and have also worked for non-profit organizations teaching children. It is hard to say what I love more, dancing or teaching. For the last year I have been teaching the art of burlesque and pole, and have found it to be the most rewarding and challenging type of dance. I cannot fully express how much I love what I do. I am able to work with all different types of people and get to know them and see them in a beautiful stage of self-discovery. I think that pole dancing and burlesque is much more than a style of dance, it makes you feel great in your own skin and you will love the way you move. In my opinion, the body is the most beautiful piece of art, and dancing is the greatest way to appreciate it."
Danielle
Born and raised in NY, an adventurer at heart, Danielle has just recently moved to Portland. She graduated college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and minor in contemporary dance.Dance of all kinds has been a focus since age 8 and continuing through high school, while she began building her basic foundations in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and gymnastics. Bellydance came into her life over 6 years ago and she has been performing and teaching extensively over the past 4 years; traveling to take workshops and living as a continuous student. She focuses in tribal fusion bellydance, with props such as sword balancing, cane dancing, wings of Isis, and veil. Kundalini and Vinyasa Yoga, Butoh, Contact Improvisation and Samba are also on her current menu of movement.She believes in experiencing and expressing oneself in as many different ways as possible and finds dance a necessary vehicle for that achievement.
Coco
Coco has been a dancer and a Pilates practitioner for over ten years. She specializes in vintage jazz, Charleston, Lindy Hop, and burlesque forms of movement. She has been featured on TV and in made-for-cable movies and features, and performed as a Charleston dancer with the Patootie Pies of Portland, OR. Prior to the birth of her son, she competed in several competitions, winning or placing in many of them. When she dances, she loves to have fun and she smiles a lot, making her a favorite of choreographers and audiences. As an instructor, she encourages her students to develop body awareness, strength, grace and pride in the female form. Coco holds an MA in Psychology, and BAs in both English and Psychology. In addition to dance, she is a well-regarded designer jeweler and sells her work across the United States. Whenever she has free time, she spends much of it playing and hanging out with her husband and her son.
Freya
Freya has a deep love and passion for dance, music, and all movement. Her background includes tap, ballet, jazz, and even couples country dancing, in which she was a very successful competitor. She found pole dancing and was instantly fascinated with how it transformed her body, emotions, and even her soul. She discovered a new respect for herself, and confidence in her body, and has a strong desire to share this with all who enter her class. In addition, Freya is a certified Pilates instructor, and uses her understanding of muscular structure to help and encourage each individual in accomplishing their goals, as well as to learn to love and work with their own strengths and limitations. Freya is well-known and loved for her ability to ensure that each student leaves her class feeling sexy, beautiful and confident, and able to carry that into each endeavor of their life.