Our Team

Our supportive and encouraging team of instructors are here to help you with everything from learning the basics to refining your most advanced skills. 

Danette

IG: @POLEMOMMY

Age 52

Mommy Of 3

Other passions: Roller skating, true crime podcasts, and chalk painting anything I can get my hands on.

Many times in life, the small, seemingly insignificant moments can offer us unprecedented awareness.  My epiphany came 9 years ago when, as a wife and mother of three small children, I was searching for an exercise routine that would keep me challenged and engaged. I had tried several local gyms and fitness classes, but none of them seemed to be the right fit.  I found myself becoming bored with the same predictable expectations-not just from the exercises, but from myself as well.

Then, one day, quite by accident, I came across an ad for something called "pole dancing".  Like most people, I almost immediately dismissed it; after all, I was 38, not in the greatest shape, had absolutely no dance background, and was afraid of heights. I allowed myself a moment to consider the intriguing prospect.  Then, I did what most people do-I returned to my old, comfortable routine. The idea, however, became a tiny, quiet voice in my head.  Could I do it?  Could I ever have the confidence to be one of those women who threw caution to the wind?

A few weeks later, when another ad for pole classes came across my computer screen, I decided to take a chance.  I apprehensively took my first class.  From that moment on, I was absolutely hooked. Thus began my journey-a journey of self-discovery, sensuality, dance, strength, courage and exploration. Pole strengthened my mind, my body, and my spirit. I have done many challenging things in my life; after all, I had a previous career in law enforcement.  I was also familiar with the rigors of raising three young children...but this challenge was different.   It pushed me on a personal, introspective level.  Each minor achievement was so incredibly rewarding that I couldn't wait for each class.

This experience was about me helping myself to become better.  It wasn't dependent on a supervisor's assessment, or on another's satisfaction. It was about allowing myself time without apologizing for it. It's not selfish and it's not trivial, though we sometimes allow ourselves to believe that.  I've learned that a better me means I can emotionally and physically be a better wife, mother, caretaker and person. Many years later, my love for pole is just as great as my first day, and I am grateful to be able to help other women begin their journey.

IG: @GRACEMCPOLER

Age 37

Mom of a bird named Nibbler

Other passions: puzzles, mystery novels, adorable animals

I took ballet and tap classes off and on as a child (I was mostly in it for the recital costumes, so many sequins!) and continued my ballet training throughout my high school and college years. After graduation, I moved to Orange County and didn’t keep up with ballet or really any kind of regular “fitness regimen” for several years. I was in the midst of searching for an activity that would be something I actually enjoyed and stayed with when I was introduced to pole during a bachelorette party in Vegas. I was immediately hooked and started classes at a local studio soon after. Pole became not only my way of staying active but grew into an outlet for exploring and developing movement and dance as a way of expression. I continued my pole and movement journey over the next five years, joining a wonderful community of both mentors and new friends, before deciding to take a short break.

For various reasons, that short break stretched into years. I returned to pole when Uplift opened and I fell in love all over again, finding an even deeper passion and connection than I had had at the beginning of my journey. With pole, I have learned to celebrate my curves, laugh at my mishaps, and allow myself to get lost in movement that can be flirtatious, fiery, sensual, and emotional but above all fun! As a teacher, I am honored and excited to help others begin their own path down a journey that has brought so much depth and joy to my own life.

Melanie

Instructor

Age: 38

IG: @MSJANAI

Mom of a puppy named Sunny

Other passions: My passions outside of pole are eating, photography, and helping others reach their goals. 

I've been pole dancing since 2010 however I wasn't always a dancer. I played soccer for most of my life and throughout my college life. I'm a competitor by heart and it's what drew me into pole. Pole was hard and painful, however, it's a challenge that I wanted to succeed in. Little did I know, there's no finish line in pole. Not only did I enjoy the difficulty and challenge, I enjoyed the self encouragement, and self fulfillment that's needed. I've competed since I started pole dancing and it was a long road to winning medals, but I enjoy every moment of it and the growth and friends that occur from it. That growth is what encourages me to teach pole dancing to both new and seasoned dancers. It's the students' journey that I'm most proud of. I want to be one of the people to help them find their passion.

MINDY

INSTRUCTOR

IG: @POLEMOVEMINS

AGE 38

Other passions: trying new foods, urban hiking, murder and true crime podcasts

I began my pole dancing journey in 2013. I was scared to go to my first class because I didn't know what to expect. However, I am so glad I went because I immediately fell in love with pole dancing! I loved how everyone was extremely supportive and the instructor encouraged us to freely embrace your own sensuality and movement. I began taking more classes and with each class, my strength and confidence grew. Pole dance quickly became my new passion.

Over the years I learned different movement styles including pole spins and tricks, low flow, floorwork, heels, chair choreography, and I am always looking to learn more. As I continue to expand my personal pole journey, I also hope to share my passion and experience with others. I am excited for the opportunity to help others build confidence, explore movement styles, and express themselves through pole dance. 

KAYCIE

INSTRUCTOR

IG: @KAYCIEKOALA

AGE 34

Mommy to 2 kitties name Bubba and Luna

Other passions:

Kaycie’s pole journey began at Uplift in early 2020 when she took some introduction series classes on a whim. After that, she was hooked and couldn’t get enough of pole and sensual movement. She’s been a group fitness and pilates instructor since 2012 and loves helping others achieve their fitness goals. Her favorite part of teaching pole classes is watching her students find their own groove and let loose as they connect with their bodies. When she’s not teaching, she’s finishing her master’s degree in speech pathology and loving on her fur babies.

AMANDA

INSTRUCTOR

IG: @WICKED.EV

AGE 35

liLLIANN

STUDIO ASSISTANT & EVENT INSTRUCTOR

IG: @LILY.GO.ROUND

AGE 32

Mommy of four fur babies: Binx, Kitty Amazing, Azula, and Calcifer

Other passions: Anime, cosplay, sleeping, and reading fanfiction and fantasy novels 

Growing up I was in classes for ballet, jazz and tap alongside my younger brother, and it was one of my earliest passions. When our studio shut down, we both branched out into sports and spent our child years playing soccer and baseball (in my case, softball). Elementary, middle and high school years continued on with sports, but love for the theater arts soon took hold of the reins of my life and it blossomed into my college studies and degrees. When I was 22, I moved from the Bay Area to Anaheim where I have spent the last 11 years as a Disneyland cast member. 

Once I turned 30, I realized that I had been neglecting what made me happy and that was dancing and choreographing, it had only been day dreams for years and routines I had been visioning in my head when I listened to music in the car, shower, or on the radio. I missed it. November 2022, I discovered Uplift through a friend, who had been attending the studio, and she thought I would love it. I had taken a pole class for a bachelorette party back in 2014 and remembered how fun much it was, so I made it my New Year’s resolution to go. January 5th 2023 was my very first class. Two and a half years later, I’ve been hooked, and bitten by the pole and aerial bug. Hammock, lyra, and now chains, slowly weaving themselves into my DNA alongside pole. I’m at the studio five to six days a week and it’s brought me so much confidence, strength, and revitalized love of self and sensual movement. I cannot wait to keep learning and growing in my journey.

GRACE

FLEXIBILITY INSTRUCTOR AND STUDIO ASSISTANT

IG: @GRACE_WILSON006

AGE 18

Other passions: Dance, pep squad, traveling, and hanging out this friends

Grace began her dance journey at the age of 9 and has danced competitively for over 5 years . She enjoys all aspects of dance and truly comes alive when she is performing on stage. Her favorite styles of dance are jazz and contemporary. Grace has a talent for teaching and developing technique, flexibility, and form in all ages of dancers. She has been sharing her love of dance with Uplift for over a year and continues to be an amazing and supportive member of the Uplift team.