Shanice
Shanice began her pole journey in 2012 after she promised to take a class if a friend taught, never thinking she would have to follow through. In her first curvaceous classes Shanice found a movement that let her feel sexy and graceful, things she hadn’t really ever felt before. Shanice has continued to find new ways that dance can improve her life.
She started teaching classes in 2015, focusing on helping women learn to love the bodies they have. Shanice is a self confessed narcissist and can often be found looking at herself in any reflective surface. Through pole Shanice has also had the opportunity to model on the runway, perform in a number of shows, an MC as well. Shanice has even had the honor of teaching at the International Pole Expo in Las Vegas.
Shanice loves to show students how graceful, beautiful, and sensual they can be through this fabulous movement. Pole has changed her life and she hopes to change yours too.
Annalisa M.
IG: @anna.leesah
Annalisa’s pole and aerial journey began in 2015. After taking an intro to pole and beginner lyra class, she knew it was the fitness regimen she had been searching for. She was originally seeking to gain strength, but quickly discovered a whole new side to herself. Pole and aerial dance has taught her self-confidence, perseverance, and has become her outlet. She loves the challenges of learning a new move on a pole or lyra and pushing herself to the next level. As an instructor, Annalisa uses her pole experience to empower students and to show them that anything is possible if they work at it.
Ashlee D.F.
Ashlee started her pole journey in 2014 after seeing a friend perform at a club and was instantly captivated. She started pole without any formal dance or movement training, and was unable to hold a plank, or do a pushup when she started pole. She believes that pole is for every body, that movement is a celebration of what our bodies can do, and not punishment for what we ate or how we look. She has dedicated her pole practice to foundations, technique, safety, self-expression, and fun. She is passionate about teaching beginners, and providing modifications for all abilities and body types. You will often find her on the schedule teaching heels technique, floorwork, pole conditioning, and movement that emphasizes sensuality & self-expression. Ashlee considers herself a forever-student. She embraces the flexy, the sexy, and flowy in her personal practice, and has a soft-spot for heels choreography. In addition to her work with Ascendance, Ashlee works in corporate sales & merchandising and is a seasoned performer.
Cynthia T.
IG: @avaflow
Cynthia discovered pole dancing and lyra over 5 years ago and was immediately hooked. She believes that anyone - no matter their fitness level or body size - can find strength, confidence, healing, and beauty in pole and aerial movement. She is passionate about guiding whoever she teaches to discover their flow and revel in it. Cynthia grew up dancing ballet and jazz, and discovered strength training and Pilates later in life. She recently expanded her aerial repertoire by going vertical with silks, trapeze, and aerial yoga. She loves finding new ways to move in the air.
Candace V.
Candace began pole dancing in 2014 after an exhaustive search to find a fitness regime that would get her in shape, but also help heal her mind and soul. In pole dancing she found the piece of the puzzle that was missing in her daily life - a focus on positivity, daily success, growth, goals and community. As an instructor, she encourages her students to push through the physical and mental discomfort that this sport reveals in everyone, with the hope that it will help them harness the power of their inner voice in the rest of their lives. Alongside her work with Ascendance, Candace owns and operates Spearpoint Investigations, a private investigations agency specializing in civil rights and police conduct cases.
Cat B.
IG: @flexy_cat
Catherine began pole dancing in 2016 when looking for a fitness activity that would counteract sitting at a desk most of the day. After taking a few beginner classes, she quickly realized this not only would help her gain strength and stamina, but also confidence and creativity. You will see her around the studio taking pole, lyra and aerial yoga. Additionally, Catherine is excited to take the next step in her aerial journey through teaching at our studio.
Maggie
Before discovering aerial arts and pole, Maggie had a strong and diverse background in dance, with an emphasis on ballet, tap, jazz, modern and African dance. She has been teaching pole dance since 2014, and enjoys performing and mixing burlesque and pole/lyra. When she's not in the studio you can usually find her crafting intricate and sparkly costumes and props for the performance community. Maggie is most grateful for the confidence, strength, and beauty pole has given her, and looks to share those gifts with everyone who comes though our doors.
Kirstie C.
IG: @kchan_pole
Kirstie began her pole journey in 2014 when she was looking for a new way of working out. Once she discovered pole dancing, she discovered a new passion and has never looked back. She has been teaching for nearly 4 years and loves to see the growth of her students.
Kirstie is a huge foodie and also runs a lifestyle blog that is also one of her passions titled @kfclovesyou.
KP Bueno
IG: @kpolebueno
KP was a pole vaulter for 8 years before she found pole in 2015. Prior to pole vaulting, she had background in dance, so the switch to pole dancing seemed natural. What she loves most about pole is that it challenges her both physically and creatively. And that no matter what level you are, there is always something new to learn. KP enjoys teaching advanced tricks and flips and loves helping students surpass their pole goals! She occasionally competes in competitions and performs in shows but prefers to dance for herself.
Outside of pole, you can find her renovating her house, hiking, and traveling to anywhere and everywhere she can get to.
Katie M.
IG: @misskatiepole
Katie took her first pole dance class back in 2014 when her husband enlisted into the army. A friend of hers asked her to join a class, and she was hooked. With no background in any classical dance or gymnastics, she first saw pole dance more as a workout. But over the years, she has fallen in love in crafting and practicing everything low flow and exotic.
Katie has a deep passion for providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students to feel comfortable dancing any form, though she primarily puts in more interest in low flow/floorwork and exotic styles. Her goal as an instructor is to guide her students to their goals, whether it be competing or just simply stress release. She encourages her students to discover new styles and dance textures, as well as cheering on their fellow peers.
Katie has experience in competing with Pole Sport Organization, winning gold in exotic and low flow categories at PSO PPC 2017, PSO NWPC 2017, and PSO Nationals 2018. She also has judging experience with PSO. Her near future goal is competing in larger competitions (eek!).
Outside of pole, Katie is a trauma RN who is unhealthily obsessed with her two pitbulls. Ask her for the dog's Instagram handle, they are incredibly adorable.
April
IG: @ninjaly.april
April discovered the aerial arts in 2012. Though actively training for marathons and a weightlifting competition at the time, it only took one class with a friend to hook her in. The year 2012 started with taking weekly pole classes at a local gym and by the end of the year she was taking pole, aerial hoop, aerial hammock, hand balancing, flexibility, and tumbling in New York City. In 2015 April became an instructor at Body & Pole, and has been teaching formally since then.
As a native of the PNW, it was an absolute joy to return home and to be able to continue to teach with such an uplifting and positive team. Movement is for everyone, and it is an honor to be able to teach it.
Outside of the studio it is common to see April in a handstand pretty much everywhere, hiking into the great unknown, or otherwise getting into shenanigans.
Yael K.
IG: @yaelkallin
Yael is a pole veteran since 2007, who started with almost no dance or gymnastics background. She fell in love with pole after her first class and never looked back. She is a firm believer in pole being for anyone who really wants it, no matter their gender, size or background. She feels pole can become a lifelong journey with wonderful benefits beyond any initial expectations. No matter how long you have poled, there is always more to learn, and more ways to develop your craft. Yael enjoys teaching all levels from beginner to advanced, with a special love for inversions. You can also find her occasionally competing in local competitions or taking the stage to perform around Seattle. She also poles regularly with her daughter Grace, and specializes in doubling with a partner to create interactive, duet based aerial art. When not poling you can find Yael working full time in advertising sales, jogging, and crafting.
JoJo
IG: @thepolejo
JoJo started pole dancing in 2017 after a friend pushed her to try. She has been hooked ever since! Pole dancing has taken over a large part of her life, and when she is not at the studio, she is singing karaoke or playing video games with her husband.
JoJo has an infectiously friendly energy and will make anyone she meets a pole convert. Catch her Floorwork classes - they are seriously fun!
Tram
Tram walked in the door of her first pole class in 2014 and never looked back! Many years and two kids later, pole is still a practice that grounds her. She loves that she can always find joy in pole, whether it is training or just dancing. Though her journey has changed through the years, pole has always adapted to be what she needs at that time. Outside of the studio, Tram gets regular cardio in from chasing her toddlers all day long
Brooke
IG: @sweet.disaster.pole
Brooke started dancing in 2015 armed with Groupon and a whim. Through pole dance she found healing and a community that continues to fuel her soul to this day. She is hoping to create a space for students to find their own journey with dance and foster the community that was so important for her in her own dance journey. She loves freestyle and slinking around in an ooey gooey style. Her number one goal is to help her students get comfortable in their own skin and find their own flow.
Outside of the studio she can be found making soap and self-care products for her business Urban Jungle Soap Co (@urban.jungle.soap), snuggling with her 3 black cats, tending an ever growing plant collection, playing D&D with friends, and a million other hobbies. She loves to keep busy and do all the things that bring her joy.
Ashley
IG: @thepolerexpress
Ashley is native New Yorker, born and raised in Queens. She started pole dancing many moons ago and hasn’t looked back since. Through pole Ashley found expression, community, and freedom.
She was part of Body & Pole’s 2019-2020 Work Study Program where she was able to train with and learn from seasoned instructors. She has taught pole, floorwork, and flexibility classes throughout New York City for the past three years.
Ashley’s family is from Trinidad and her classes are influenced by her Caribbean culture. She believes that the human body is the greatest instrument a person can ever own. As an instructor one of her goals is to inspire students to dance with intention and to stay true to their authentic self.
Ashley has her B.S. in Community Health and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Upon graduation, she hopes to use her knowledge and skills to work closely with the BIPOC and sex worker community. When she is not on the pole or writhing on the floor you can catch Ashley casting spells, geeking out on anatomy, or playing with her cats, Elmira and Kedi.
Roxanne
Roxanne’s love affair with pole dance started in 2019 right here at Ascendance. Pole has a magical way of bringing up whatever it is in each of us that needs healing, and for Roxanne, that includes perfectionism, body shame, and a fixed mindset about learning new skills. Of course, pole isn't just therapeutic--it's ridiculously fun!! Roxanne wants to share it all--the joys and the frustrations--with others who are just starting out as dancers, because that process is most delicious when experienced in community. Roxanne hopes that above all, students learn to trust themselves and truly enjoy their own bodies' unique ways of moving, and to celebrate others as well. Outside the studio you can find her by the lake, in the kitchen, or doodling comics over in the corner.
Elaine
Elaine was a student in the first ever class offered by Ascendance when it opened and has been a regular member ever since. She soon discovered lyra and is excited to introduce people to aerial arts in a supportive environment while continuing to grow as a student. Outside of Ascendance, Elaine teaches color guards and drum corps in different areas around the country. She also enjoys ice climbing as a hobby, and as a bonus, lyra is great training for that!
Liz
IG: @wobblywoop
Liz holds her doctorate in physical therapy and has had the pleasure of working with many dancers across the country. She is an instructor in the dance department at Cornish College of the Arts where she loves to witness her students grow! She simply loves dancing and helping others dance too!
Tara S.
IG: @tututara
Tara is a former ballet dancer with over 2 decades of dancing and teaching experience. She discovered Pole in 2011 while looking for a new dance activity and has never looked back. She has competed and placed in several national competitions. Her style is graceful and dancey and she has a passion for clean, pretty lines. Tara loves teaching and thrives on coaching her students, and loves watching them meet and surpass their goals. Tara is a mother to her preschool age son and enjoys spending her free time with her husband and corgi watching bad movies and eating good food.
Kate
IG: @catness_pd
Kate began her journey through yoga, earning her 200-hour and then 500-hour yoga teacher certification in 2010 - and ever since, she has taught yoga, flexibility, conditioning, handstands and arm balances regularly. Kate started pole in 2017 and was recently certified to teach pole. She takes an anatomical and science-based approach to teaching flexibility with an emphasis on active flex and stability drills to work with, rather than against, the nervous system. Kate also has experience and knowledge in flexibility and conditioning for hypermobile movers, being hypermobile herself.
When she's not practicing or teaching, Kate is a media maker and educator. She loves combining her technical background in media production with her love for the circus arts through creative projects and collaborations.
Elisa C.
At a young age Elisa found movement to be freeing and allowed her to express herself in a positive way. Since then she has wholeheartedly been pursuing the art of movement in such places as the youth ballet, the prestigious National Taiwan University of Arts where she majored in dance, on the ballroom floor and most recently at aerial yoga.
Despite these busy times of career, family and responsibility, Elisa found a new passion in 2014… Aerial yoga, which for her embodies the essence of focus, stretch and relaxation.
Ever since walking through the front door of Ascendance, Elisa feels at home again and cannot wait to share the joy of aerial yoga with you.
