INSTRUCTORS

All of our Pole Dance Instructors have a minimum 2 year Pole Dance history and are dedicated to being part of our team of highly skilled and enthusiastic teachers

Sophia

Sophia has a life long history in dance and performance, with experience in many and varied styles of dance, movement and body work including Cabaret, Can Can, Contemporary Dance, Burlesque, Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Trapeze, Aerial Hoop, Yoga (14 years!) and Qi Gong. Soon after embarking on what became an eight year/continuing career in Pole Dance she realized how fantastic it made people feel to dance sexily and be affirmed for it, and also how quickly it shaped and toned her body and those of the women around her - in all the right places!

Sophia has trained with Circus Oz and NICA (the National Institute of Circus Arts), Suzie Q, Pantera Blacksmith and Girlfriend Fun and Fitness just to name a few. She now manages, directs and instructs at Pole Play Studios with the aim of helping others experience the fabulous feeling of getting fit and body proud in this unique and very rewarding way. She is a member on the Australian Board of the International Pole Federation.

Sophia performs individually and collaboratively with other local and international artists. Keep your eyes open for her saucy shows!!
 
 
 

Julia

Julia fell in love with pole dancing after a class in London seven years ago. With a background in gymnastics, trampolining, figure skating and martial arts she took easily to the pole and was hooked after the first swing!

Since then she has aimed to constantly improve her abilities and so spent two years dancing in clubs in London, soon after which she turned her hand to teaching, where she found a new passion.

"The pole dancing scene in London offered a vibrant learning environment for me, which I blend into all of my classes and am constantly looking for new things to try so coming to Australia has been a fantastic experience for me, and I continue to add a London twist to everything I do here."

Julia has performed in several showcases around England, was in the cast of a pilot television series for Channel 5 in the UK, has performed alongside Pantera Blacksmith! and is now teaching at Pole Play and performing in venues around town!


 
 
 

Viva

Viva dabbled in all sorts of dance and performing arts before being bitten by the pole dancing bug in 2005. She has worked as a showgirl in Sydney and Melbourne and performed at events including the International Pole Federation launch, and at Sydney Sexpo as a member of Team X-Pole. In 2006, Viva was a heat winner in the NSW Pole Princess competition, and placed 3rd in Bobbi's Pole Studio competition.

Viva loves sharing her passion, and pole tricks! with students, and in 2007 moved to China to teach at Beijing's first pole dancing school. That year, she won 1st place in the China Pole Dancing Championships International Division.

Viva has now relocated to Cairns and joined the team at Pole Play Studios where she is training for the Australian Pole Championships!
 
 
 

Fiona

Fiona fell in love with dance at 3 years of age, and has continued to dance in all her free time since! She has studied many varied styles including Tap, Modern, Jazz, Funk, Salsa, Hip Hop, Urban Fusion and Break Dancing. Fiona holds a Degree in Physiotherapy and has been teaching different forms of dance for over 10 years, including a stint at the Royal Ballet School in London. She discovered Pole Dance in 2005 and joined Pole Play Studios in August 2006. Fiona performs with the Polesque Dance Troupe.

"Music and dance have always been a huge part of my life, it's a great way to get fit, let off some steam, learn about your body and express yourself. Everyone should try it!"
 
 
 

Mariska

Mariska is a Personal Trainer with over 12 years experience in teaching Basketball, Indoor Spinning, Kickboxing, Fitness & Pole Fitness.

She is also a Remedial and Sport Massage Therapist with training in nutrition and has worked as a Laboratory Technician researching the anatomy of the human body.

After playing and teaching a lot of different sports Mariska was curious about what pole dancing could do for her body. After her first lesson with Sophia she got hooked on all the different fitness aspects that pole work could offer. Soon she made her own combination class including Pole & Kickboxing and found it astounding how quickly the body could strengthen and begin to shape, seeing results in just 8 weeks.

"You can do it - getting FIT is a CHOICE everything else is just an EXCUSE!"

 
 
 

Daniel

Daniel has been into sports since childhood and with a background in Latin dance he started practicing the Chinese pole at Pole Play in 2007.

He has since spent time training at NICA (The National Institute of Circus Arts) as well as gymnastics at the Wesley College, and has taught pole at Bottoms Up Burlesque School in Melbourne.

Daniel can be seen performing in theaters and at events around Australia, and won 5th Place in the men's division of the 2009 Australian Pole Dance Championships!








 
 
 

Lauren

Lauren was hooked from the moment she saw her first Belly dance performance. She had never before seen such a colourful, fun and dramatic dance style.

After years of studying the art of belly dancing, Lauren started performing at corporate functions and private events. She then decided the best way to share her love of belly dance was to start teaching classes and workshops.

Lauren has a flair for belly dancing and a passion for performing and teaching. She often observes a transformation in women who practice Belly dance. They appear more confident, have renewed enthusiasm and they aren't afraid of expressing their feminine self.

Trained in classical ballet and jazz, Lauren has always had a fascination with dance and movement. A yoga and pole dancing enthusiast, Lauren performs as a solo Belly dancer and as a professional Fire Twirler with the FireTech Dance Troupe.

Lauren is now our new Belly dance Instructor, teaching Belly workshops and parties at Pole Play.

"Lose yourself in the exotic music and fun costuming discover an energetic and fun dance style enjoyed by ALL ages, shapes and sizes."

 
 
 

Heather

With a background in classical Ballet, Funk and Hip Hop, Heather continued to feed her passion for dance by embarking on a Pole Dance training regime over three years ago.

Less than a year later Heather placed 2nd in the Amateur Division of the QLD Finals of Miss Pole Dance Australia. Heather then continued her training in the art of Burlesque in Brisbane, as a means to feel sexy and empowered.

Also holding both a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching she has taught both Pole and Burlesque for Chic Unique Physique. Teaching has always come naturally to Heather and she loves to share her passion for dance whilst constantly aiming to further explore her stagecraft.

Self professed dance addict, Heather, can now be seen performing at local venues in Cairns.