Maddie Sparkle
Maddie
is a former gymnast who has been pole dancing for four years. Maddie's
grace and physique are a source of inspiration for her students.
She is
a patient and encouraging teacher, always ready to guide you through a
new move.
On
the rare occasion when she finds herself with both feet on the ground,
Maddie keeps herself busy by designing and making incredible costumes
and accessories, many of which can be found in our studio boutique.
Maddie specializes in made-to-measure dance costumes. Check out her website at: www.maddiesparkle.vpweb.com.au
Maddie came 3rd at the Australian Capital Pole Championships in 2011 and was a semi-finalist in the International Pole Championships in 2012. Maddie came 1st place in the Pole Dance Universe public competition in Denver.
Here is Maddie dancing at the Pole Dance Academy Redfern studio:
ShimmyShimmy took her first pole dancing class about 7 years
ago, and has been completely pole-crazy ever since. She has performed
and competed in numerous venues around Sydney and overseas. Shimmy also teaches conditioning.
Shimmy is a proud X-Pole ambassador and also a proud Bad Kitty ambassador. In Shimmy's opinion, X-Pole are makers of the safest and best portable poles, and Bad Kitty is your one-stop shop for all things pole dance related.
Shimmy loves to compete, and has been a part of the following competitions:
* Miss Pole Dance Australia 2013 First Runner Up
* Australian Pole Championships 2012, Winner Doubles/Group Division
* Australian Pole Fitness Championships, Winners, Doubles division 2012
* Pole Masters International Finalist 2012
* International Pole Championships 2012, Runners Up in Pole Fit Doubles divsion
* World Pole Dance Championships 2011, 3rd place doubles division
* World Pole Dance Championships Women's Division semi-finalist 2011
* Asia-Pacific Pole Dance Championship 2011 3rd place doubles division
* Pole Dance Universe finalist 2011
* Miss Pole Dance Australia Finalist 2010
* International Pole Dance Fitness competition semi-finalist 2010
* Miss Pier Hotel winner 2011
* North Shore Pole Princess 2011 2nd place
* Mona Vale Pole Princess 2011 2nd place
* Northies Pole Princess 2011 2nd place
Shimmy is crazy about pole dancing, handstands, her dog and cat, and animals in general. She's a lover not a fighter, but will fight for what she loves and the people she loves. Shimmy is constantly astounded at how many of the answers to life's questions she has found wrapped around a pole. Shimmy hopes to be pole dancing for as long as she lives, and possibly even longer.
When
she's not wrapped around a pole upside down, Shimmy works as a lawyer.
She believes she may be the first person to have put herself through
pole school by working in a law firm!
Here is Shimmy in action at the Pole Dance Academy Redfern studio.
Amber Ray
Amber
is a professional performer and instructor in both the pole dance industry and
dance entertainment industry. She has performed for numerous events both
nationally and internationally and has hosted workshops for pole enthusiasts
from beginners to advanced.
Born
and raised in Sydney, Australia, Amber took up dancing at a young age and
progressed over time to include a wide rage of dance styles including; Lyrical
dance, jazz, funk and Classical Ballet. Amber also took up pole dancing in
2006 to add another skill to her dancing repertoire. Quickly becoming obsessed,
she has since showcased her dance skills for many corporate functions, launches
and sporting events, both nationally and internationally.
Amber
believes that when it comes to pole dance, she likes to take it as an art form.
Combining both the strength skills likened to circus performance, and mixing it
with dance and acting skills, she produces an overall show. Tailored to suit
any audience, they are always entertaining.
As
a motivator and instructor, her goal is to give the joy and empowerment that
pole dance brings her, to her students. She aims to let the art from the stage
combined with the fitness from the studio, transcend into the everyday lives of
her students in the form of strength, confidence, empowerment and joy.
Amber lives in Sydney. When she
is not hanging upside down somewhere around the world, she enjoys a quieter
time with family and friends, her hobbies fitness training and circus skills,
creating costumes and long catch ups over coffee.
Yvette
Yvette began her dancing career as soon as she had mastered the art of walking - with ballet classes at 3 years of age. Yvette has studied RAD ballet, jazz, character, tap, singing & drama. At the ripe old age of 8, Yvette performed with the Australian ballet in their season of Don Quixote.
Yvette began pole dancing 4 years ago, and fell in love with it immediately. She has performed and competed in pole competitions in many venues across Sydney. Yvette was featured as the pole dancer for the first season of So You Think You Can Dance, in their advertising/promotion campaign, which aired Australia-wide on television and in cinemas.
As if that wasn't enough, most recently Yvette has taken up salsa and Brazilian (Rio) samba as well! She performs Brazilian samba regularly with her dance troupe at events in Sydney, most notably at the Sydney Mardi Gras in 2009.
Mary
Mary has been dancing for 5 years in the UK and Australia. She is extremely advanced and taught herself most of what she knows. If you see a trick on you tube that you like Mary is the one to ask! She can work out any move.
Her flexibility is insane, she makes any normal pole dance move look like contortion!
Mary is a full time occupational therapist and she says "she loves crazy people and crazy people love her."
If you think she talks funny that's because she is from Wales! And she is a bad ass. At least, she thinks she is - we know better ;-)
Bunni
Bunni is a former ballet and contemporary dancer who has been pole dancing since late 2008 and teaching at Pole Dance Academy Sydney since January 2011. She is a very kind, patient and encouraging teacher for students from beginners to advanced levels and is a much loved member of the PDA staff.
For Bunni, nothing is more inspiring than seeing her students learn new moves and improve their self-confidence. Her favourite thing about pole dancing is seeing her students learn how to do superhuman things they never thought possible and of course watching them dance beautifully in graduation each Week 8!
In addition to pole dancing competitively at a professional level for a number of years, Bunni has performed extensively as a burlesque dancer both nationally and internationally. Bunni is the current Miss Burlesque Sydney 2012, Miss Burlesque Australia 2nd Runner Up 2012, Miss Bump n Grind Australia, Miss Pin Up Australia 2011, Miss Perfect Pin Up Australia 2011 and has been a finalist in many Australian professional pole dancing competitions including Australian Pole Fitness Championships 2012 and Australian Capital Pole Championships (Bronze Medallist, Doubles Division). She regularly performs at venues and events including the Pin Up Parlor, Jurassic Lounge, Gallery Burlesque, Mr Falcon's Presents Burlesque and Ruby Revue. She was also nominated for a number of Bustie (Burlesque Industry) awards in the 2012 awards season.
Her favourite dance move is the splits and her least favourite activity is running.
Malinda Malinda is a dance and fitness sensation - pole dancing, samba, salsa, AND a devoted runner (and we all know how pole dancers feel about running) - there is nothing this girl can't do! Malinda joined the PDA team in 2012 and we are very happy to have her.
Malinda's strength, grace and elegance on the pole are the hallmarks of her pole dance style.
Malinda is a finalist in the Pole Candy Semi-Pro Competition 2013 in the Doubles division.
Pepper
Pepper is a home-grown Pole Dance Academy talent. Pepper began her pole dancing career at PDA and quickly progressed through the levels to become an advanced student.
Pepper was selected to become a instructor in 2012, and we are very excited to have her on board. Pepper is a patient and encouraging teacher.
Pepper is a finalist in the Pole Candy Semi-Pro Competition Doubles in 2013 and a semi-finalist in the International Pole Championships Doubles 2013.
Pepper has competed in many competitions around Sydney, including PDA competitions and the Crows Nest Pole Princess competition.
Heidi
Heidi is a gorgeous home-grown Pole Dance Academy talent. Heidi is a fun and caring teacher, with boundless energy and patience. Heidi got off to a flying start when she came 3rd in her first ever pole dance competition, 2nd in her second competition, and 2nd in her third competition! Since she turned professional she hasn't looked back. Heidi is a hard-working and dedicated pole dancer, and she makes sure her students are too. She brings out the best in her students with her smile and positive attitude.
Alisha
After 2 years of failed attempts in level one Artistic Gymnastics, Alisha saw a girl compete in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Alisha thought the girl looked so pretty with her fancy sparkly leotard and colourful ribbon that she said to her mum 'I WANT TO DO THAT!'. And from that day on she was hooked.
By the age of 14 Alisha was competing in her first national competition, training over 30 hours a week and spending her spare time doing school and uni assignments and study sitting in over-splits.Alisha went on to win the Australian Nationals 4 years in a row. She competed internationally and was also asked to train in the Australian Group team for the Sydney Olympics. She also judged and coached junior gymnasts.
Poor Alisha was somewhat forced into early retirement during her second year of Uni, after an unfortunate car accident that fractured her back. After that, Alisha was on the hunt for something that would allow her to use her gymnastics background, keep fit and have fun; while avoid drawing the weird looks she got from strangers when she broke into the splits at the gym....
Alisha's life changed when she met fellow instructor Yvette at a party. After a couple of sneaky drinks, Alisha started doing the splits at the party (standard). Yvette has an eye for talent when she sees it, so she suggested Alisha take a class at the Pole Dance Academy.
The rest is history. It was love at first spin! Alisha won her very first amateur competition and has gone from strength to strength. Alisha says "The amazing people that I have met since joining PDA, the unbelievable things that I can now make my body do and the constant challenges and joy I see on my friends when walking in the studio and trying out/getting a new move keep me coming back for more! I'm excited to share this experience as an instructor!"
