Performers
Bethany Wellman
I am a 26 year old Graphic Designer and have been pole dancing now for three years. Ever since I bought that Groupon for a “pole fitness class”, I’ve been completely obsessed. Not only is pole an unbelievable workout, it provides me with the creative outlet my soul desires. It has also given me the chance to form unbelievable friendships with some of the strongest women I know.
Pole truly is an art form. The amount of concentration, strength, dedication, and athleticism it takes to pull off a flawless routine is mind blowing. It is an artistic expression that requires the dancer to weave together tricks seamlessly with the music, while engaging the audience, and holding their entire bodyweight horizontal. This is what I would like Cincinnati to realize when they see the show; just how beautiful and inspiring pole can be.
In the beginning of 2015 I became a pole instructor, and one of my personal goals is to continue spreading the joy of pole to my students! I love seeing others discover this form of dance, and helping them achieve their own goals is so satisfying. Another item on my “to-do list” is to be able to press up into a handstand!
Throughout my journey I have found many pole idols. To dance like Amanda Rose, be flexible like Amber Wolf, and handstand like Samantha Star, are all on my bucket list. But when I really need some inspiration, I usually don’t look much further than our studio doors. My current mentors and peers at Bella Forza Fitness are still some of the BEST inspiration a girl could ask for. Thanks you guys!
Along with pole dancing, I am also an avid reader of books and crafter of pretty things. Originally from a small farming town, I moved to Cincinnati in 2011 and have loved every minute of it. My husband and I live in a little old house we’re fixing up, and you can usually find us watching Netflix and singing Beatles songs.
Kendra Smiley
I am a 36 years old mother of 3 daughters. I have been poling since April 2013. Ever since the age of 5 I have been dancing and into athletics and fitness. I have two direct sales businesses and I am a fitness instructor and love motivating people to help them reach their life goals. I fell in love with pole as a way to relieve stress, challenge myself mentally and physically, and express myself through dance and music.
I have always felt that pole is a way for women, especially, to help boost their self confidence and show their strengths! I hope that more people will accept pole as an art, a fitness regimen, and an outlet for creativity! I think once people actually try pole or really pay attention to it they will find that it is more than the negative stereotypes people put on it. I am always wanting and looking forward to stretching myself and learning more and more about pole and its future!!!
Krystle Annice
I am 30 years old and I discovered pole in 2008, but I've only been actively training since May 2014.
Pole is a way for me to express myself. I’ve always been a creative person. I felt as if I had lost that part of me when I entered corporate America. I love that I am able to dance freely and just go wherever my emotions take me. I’ve met some amazing people and I’ve become so much stronger and fit.
What I want Cincinnati to know about pole:
It's not stripping! I feel like people see a pole and automatically think “Hmmm… where have a seen that apparatus before? OH MY GOD! She’s a stripper!” Pole is an art form that is much more like gymnastics than stripping. You’ll see performances that make you cry, laugh, or even leave you speechless. You’ll see flips and tricks and costumes and characters! You’ll be amazed!
I just want to inspire people. I want to inspire people to get fit and take better care of themselves. My top five favorite pole artists are Phoenix Kazree, Marlo Fisken, Becca Buck, Danielle Tillie, and Josiah "BadAzz" Grant. Outside of pole, I enjoy modern dance classes, gymnastics classes, & sleep. I friggin love to sleep. Food is pretty awesome too. Yea… food and sleep. Plus, I have one bad ass 9 year old Chihuahua. He’ll tear your ankles up!
Krista "Red Panther"
I am 25 years young and started pole dancing August 2012 at Bella Forza Fitness. After graduating from college I was looking for a fun way to stay in shape that didn't feel like another chore on my to-do list. Pole dancing was definitely the answer. After discovering pole, I no longer "had to go to the gym," but instead I wanted work on my spins, tricks, handstands, and flexibility. Working out became more to me than staying in-shape; it became a passion.
I love pole because it has allowed me to develop strength, create beauty, and express myself through dance. Pole dancing gives your body a whole other dimension of movement, expression, and freedom. It is the art of telling a story or sharing emotions by performing feats of athleticism, strength, courage, flexibility, and determination. I enjoy creating my own choreography, because it challenges me to create new shapes, explore combinations, and refine my mind-body-and-soul connection. In addition to all the physical benefits of pole, I have found a creative outlet to uplift my spirit, challenging puzzles to test my mind, and a supportive, wonderful community that is my second family.
My current goals include: participating in more performances and competitions in order to improve my dance skills and fluidity, teach and inspire others as a pole instructor at Bella Forza Fitness, and to tackle and refine more pole tricks, especially my nemesis moves. Pole is a never-ending challenge. There are always more difficult variations and new tricks to work towards. It's one of the big reasons why I enjoy pole so much. Some of my pole idols include Michelle Shimmy, Danielle Cain, Becca Buck, Sergia Louise Anderson, Samantha Star, and Amanda Rose, just to name a few.
Besides pole, I am also an avid yogi. Working on headstands, handstands, inversions, splits, and back bends are great ways to cross train for pole because they build strength, coordination, and flexibility. All essential to maintaining a happy and healthy body. I'm also the proud mom to two fur babies, my cat, Milo, and my puppy, Molly. I want to thank my boyfriend for putting up with my crazy self and supporting me in my passion for pole!
Julia Inge
Hello! My name is Julia and I am 25 years old. I have been pole dancing since the summer before my senior year of college, but I have been studying it intensely since Fall 2013 at Bella Forza Fitness. Pole dancing means a lot to me. It is a form of meditation for me, as well as a great workout. Pole dancing has a healing power and has helped me to grow immensely. I want Cincinnati to see how pole is more then what it seems. It is a workout, a form of self expression, a self esteem booster, and a way for women to get in touch with themselves in a way that they could never imagine! Pole is one of the BEST and most accepting communities I have ever seen! I am beyond lucky to be working with Danielle Tillie on Passion: A Pole Troupe. We are both co-founders. I believe this troupe can show Cincinnati what pole dancing truly is and what a beautiful art form it has become.
When I am not pole dancing, you can find me on Pinterest or Instagram, reading a book, doing aerial silks or brainstorming new ideas as the Creative Director for Strong is Our Sexy, a female empowerment website. Also I am a proud owner of a 20 year old cat. She lives with her "grandparents" and she loves to sit in the sunshine as much as possible. My parents... I could never express my gratitude enough for the support they shown me when I decided to go on this journey.
Emily Marie
Emily Marie is a professional belly dancer artist and teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio. She started belly dancing in 2001 here in her hometown Cincinnati and never looked back. She has lived and worked as a professional belly dancer in Vancouver, Canada and in Eilat, Israel. She has now relocated back to her hometown and offers ongoing belly dance classes and private instruction at the Shakti Factory. You can catch her performing all around town, at Sahara Hookah Lounge in Sharonville, and at Paradise Restaurant & Café in Northern Kentucky. Emily Marie is a popular belly dancer for weddings, parties and fundraisers and is available for hire for your next event. If you would like to know more about Emily Marie please go to her website at www.emilybellydance.com.
Danielle Tillie
My pole dancing journey began in 2009 as an alternative form of fitness. What I discovered was a beautiful art form, with its roots planted in strength, sensuality, and self expression. It is my goal to bring this artistic dance into the minds and hearts of men and women throughout my community. I am proud to be co-founding Passion: A Pole Troupe here in the beautiful city of Cincinnati!
I have competed and placed in the Midwest Elite Division of the North American Pole Dance Championships in 2013 and 2015. I have also placed in Pole Sport Organization's Central Pole Competition in the Professional Division in 2014 and 2015. I placed 8th out of 33 competitors at the Pole Fitness Open at the Arnold Sports Festival 2015. In 2016, I was selected to compete in Pole Theatre USA's Semi-Pro Pole Art Division. I look forward to competing in Level 5 Exotic Pole at PSO's Central Pole Championships and the Erotic Pole Art Elite Division at North American Pole Dance Championships this year! I have also guest performed for Girl Next Door:Chicago and Dance Wicked for a Week in Negril, Jamaica.
I am a performer at heart and therefore love opportunities to showcase my dance. I offer my services as a pole dance performer for several types of occasions, such as community events, promotional events, music concerts, and private events.
Pole dancing can bring new meaning to your life by improving your self esteem, body awareness, confidence, and physical fitness. I offer private and group pole dancing lessons and guest workshops. I have been teaching pole dance as an instructor at Bella Forza Fitness since July 2011. I have perfected my teaching style through personal experience and research, as well as private instruction from nationally acclaimed pole dance professionals. I am also a NETA Certified Group Fitness Instructor.
Please visit my website for contact information, pictures, and videos!
Teisha Murray
Murray grew up attending Cleveland School of the Arts where she majored in modern dance, ballet, and nontraditional partnering. Although she has not gone on to express herself creatively through poetry, she has been both working in show production and as a performing artist. Murray started taking pole fitness in a plot to use her love of movement to help her overcome her fear of heights. To her, pole has come to be a lot like poetry: it requires precision, refining your skills over and over, and working through the pain. It also helps you achieve a mean pull-up!
Matt & Kristin
Matt and Kristin are two Cincinnati based Acro-Yogis who enjoy traveling, playing and engaging the community in Acro-Yoga. Acro has inspired Matt and Kristin to keep a sense of playfulness throughout all aspects of their lives as well as teach them valuable communication skills. They are looking forward to sharing their enthusiasm for Acro-Yoga by teaching some beginner level classes in the upcoming months. Stay tuned and follow them on instagram for more information! @kristinirene_o @schnuthmeister
Trisha Durham
Trisha, a dancer, yogi and aerial artist has been a mover her whole life. She is a former dancer with the Dayton Ballet who began pole dancing in 2015 and instantly loved the way that it strengthened, challenged and inspired her body and mind. Currently, Trisha collaborates with local dance companies including Pones Inc. When she isn’t dancing, Trisha, an E-RYT 200 teaches vinyasa flow yoga and is the owner and founder of Cincinnati Bridal Yoga LLC and Cincinnati Queer Yoga. Trisha’s interest and dedication to multiple movement-based arts is what inspires her personal practice and her teaching. Trisha is grateful to be a part of such a vibrant and supportive arts community in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lisa Lily
Since the age of five, I’ve dabbled in many dance forms, but my main focus was ballet. Then I gave it up to focus on my education. However, dance has always crossed my mind throughout the years and I always wished I could go back to it. Then I discovered pole.
I began pole dancing about three or so years ago, with the intention of it only being a fitness activity. However, it has grown a lot more for me since then. Watching how you can create beautiful dance pieces greatly inspired me. With this unique art form, I could incorporate my years of dance, to create pieces that have meaning to me. I love the challenges that pole gives me. Thus, last year I decided to take a leap and enter my first pole competition, in which I placed first. I not only rediscovered my passion for dance, but I have built incredible strength and invaluable friendships along the way.
Throughout my pole journey, I have had great opportunities to do some training with Amanda Rose and Heidi Coker. They are such amazing pole athletes with amazing talents. Pole is more than just a physical workout, it is an art form, and I would love to help share this with Cincinnati.
Lauren Frooman
Hello, my name is Lauren and I like to hang out upside down. I have been dancing and flipping through the air since I could walk. Throughout my childhood I took all kinds of dance lessons with a heavy focus on ballet and also participated in competitive trampoline & tumbling. I loved the rush of excitement and nervous energy that came from learning a new trick or nailing a routine. I knew that when I grew up I would join the circus!
My introduction to pole was on a party bus while celebrating a friends birthday. We had a blast playing around. I had no idea the pole could spin! The next day I immediately found Bella Forza Fitness and signed up for my first class. I have been practicing for 2.5 years now and am looking forward to competing for the fist time this July.
Fun Facts:
-my first word was cookie
-I am a Hufflepuff
-caterpillars have 4,000 muscles while humans only have 629