Shelley Henkel
Shelley has an extensive background in performance; her dance training includes jazz and classical ballet, and the completion of high levels in gymnastics. Her travels led her to become a go-go dancer in Japan where she performed in popular night spots, and began teaching pole dancing and the art of lap dance to aspiring exotic dancers. She has also had great success as a singer with a high profile commercial band at Crown Casino and other prominent Melbourne venues.
Shelley has completed a three year Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in dance and women's studies, giving her performance even more edge, and a strong understanding of the importance of female empowerment.
Shelley has been teaching at Pole Divas since its inception and came second in the Victorian Final of Miss Pole Dance Australia in 2005. Her warm, outgoing personality, and creative choreography, makes sure you’ll always leave her class with a smile on your face.
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Jannine Davey
Jannine began as a student at Pole Divas almost 5 years ago. Since then she has been teaching and inspiring women to unleash their inhibitions and to embrace their strength and sexuality through this incredible form of dance for the past 4 years. Jannine believes all women house an inner Diva and has made it her mission to coax and tease them all out into the open. In addition to her role as instructor at Pole Divas Jannine takes the Diva message to women everywhere as a facilitator in female empowerment workshops at women only forums and seminars and both locally and Internationally
With extensive dance training over the last 30 years in many disciplines from Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Belly dance, Roller Dance, Exotica and Aerial Gymnastics, Jannine has a long standing passion for health and fitness and she is testament to the benefits of a positive body image and self confidence. She is a born teacher and loves encouraging people, women in particular, to go beyond their own beliefs about themselves.
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Sarah George
Sarah worked as an exotic performer at all of Melbourne’s major men’s clubs for 3 years, quickly progressing to a stage performer and becoming a headline act at venues all across the country. She has held various titles such as Miss Nude Victoria, and appeared in magazines such as Ralph and Penthouse. Since retiring from exotic dancing, Sarah’s talents lead her to new ventures, appearing in various TV commercials, being MC at Sexpo, and most importantly becoming a mum to a beautiful baby girl Samsara.
Sarah has no professional dance training which leads her to believe that ANY woman can learn to move in a way that compliments her body and expresses her sensuality. Sarah loves teaching Pole Moves, choreographing shows and performing with the Pole Divas.
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Staci
Bring it on! Staci is the ultimate American cheerleader. Trained in classical ballet, jazz and tap, her athleticism, energy and vibrant enthusiasm lead her to cheerleading, which took her from high school through to college. Her success and professionalism in this highly competitive sport opened the door for Staci, to the sought after position of head coach/choreographer for a top American high school dance team. Staci’s passion for performance continued on to the sensual and captivating art of exotic dance. She has entranced and enthralled audiences from Portland to Phoenix as well as on the stages of premier gentlemen’s clubs throughout Los Angeles and Australia.
Staci also enjoys being a wife and mother to two happy, energetic children. Combining 25 years of dancing and teaching experience with Staci’s love for health, fitness and fun she will definitely entice you into the empowering art of pole dancing. Staci has been teaching at Pole Divas since 2006.
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Anna Lemish
Anna brings to Pole Divas a diverse mix of choreographic influences, including hip hop, funk, street Latin and exotic dancing. She is testament to the benefits that pole dancing can bring you in terms of positive body image and self confidence. She has taken what was once simply a keen interest in pole dancing to greater heights, culminating in her inclusion in the Miss Pole Australia (Victorian Division) and winning the advanced section of Pole Divas Unleashed in July 2006.
"We want to help you unleash your inner diva", she says, and to that end she is dedicated to making her classes both cheeky and fun, to encourage new participants who perhaps thought that Pole Dancing was too challenging. Anna is the perfect instructor to disarm any hesitations that new participants might feel. Five minutes in her class and you too will be a pole dancing devotee!
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Lulu Quill
Lulu has been a performer all her life. She recently danced up several poles in the USA & teaches at 3 of our Diva Studios. Lulu started out as a Prahran Pole Divas student, rising through the ranks to take out the Advanced Solo Unleashed competition & has also competed in the Miss Pole Victoria titles in 2008 & 2009.
Lulu teaches beginner and intermediate levels and is also currently training in the flying trapeze. Lulu has fantastic stage prowess, with a talent for dynamic tricks and making it all look seamlessly easy.On why she loves pole dancing; “it is the only sport where you look totally hot whilst sweating!”
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fontaine bradbury
After attending a Pole Divas hens night hosted by the amazing Sarah George, Fontaine was inspired and excited to take up Pole Dancing. Fontaine has lived an active lifestyle enjoying various styles of dance including ballet, jazz ballet, calisthenics and not to mention a 3rd kyu brown belt in kempo karate! Calisthenics was her forte with 10 years of national competitions and many awards in her division.
Fontaine has a keen eye for dance technique, perfecting her performance and teaching her students to do the same. She believes that all women should and can Pole Dance! In her words “You have to believe in yourself, realize your strengths, let your inner goddess out and have fun!”
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Bella D
Bella-d is an energetic, vibrant, spirited and cheeky performer and teacher alike. She has just come back from three years of teaching and performing in Canada where she was Podium Dancing and Belly Dancing. In addition to teaching and performing a unique twist of Belly Dance, she also teaches Old School and Modern Burlesque and another style formulated from her own hip hop inspiration. Her high energy influence comes from her love of performance and dance and years of Podium Dancing in nightclubs and for major events in Canada for DJs such as Jesse James, Team Canada, DJ Sneak, Jamie Vale, Roger Sanchez and Benny Benassi.
With a teaching and performance focus on including everyone and making people feel welcome and accepted, her energy and infectious positive vibe helps boost the self esteem of her students and everyone leaves with a smile on their face and sweat on their brow.
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Hollie Sheehan
Hollie is experienced in many forms of dance, and has competed at senior level in varying dance styles, from classical ballet to modern and funk. Stage experience and six years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and fitness instructor means that Hollie brings to Pole Divas a professional edge and strong choreographic skills. She regularly performs at pole divas events and has represented the studio at a state level.
In Hollie’s opinion, there is nothing more incredible than being on stage! Yet another graduate from Pole Divas Prahran, Hollie enjoys working with students…watching them develop their confidence, fitness and dexterity.
Hollies’ enthusiasm and sense of fun are infectious. Seeing the smiles on students’ faces as their skills develop is testament to her success as an instructor, and consolidates her position as a key member of the Pole Divas team.
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CHERIE FOOTE
Cheire comes from a family of dancers. Both her parents were ballroom dance instructors and so even from a young age Cheire learnt an appreciation and respect for dance. From ballet and jazz to gymnastics and even line dancing, there are not many styles she hasn't tried! However, when she discovered pole dancing over 12 years ago, she realised her calling in life and her passion for pole has grown ever since. Cherie maintains an executive sales career in sportswear whilst teaching at Pole Divas. She has travelled across Australia with pole dancing, not to mention a 12 month visit to Japan.
This Pole Diva loves to see beginner students grow into confident pole dancers, as they progress through to the advanced stages of our courses. Cherie prides herself on her encouraging manner whilst teaching, making sure she breaks down new tricks and guides each student through. She'll help you kick start your addiction to pole dancing!
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Kennetta Hutchens (founder)
Kennetta was involved in the exotic dance industry for over 10 years. She gained a vast knowledge of the industry, and has had the experience of dealing with and training literally hundreds of girls over the years. After this, she also became a qualified personal trainer.
Kennetta first entertained the idea of opening a pole and exotic dance school in 2000. It came from years of watching girls in the club perform, and seeing the transformation it made to their confidence and self esteem, as well as fitness and body shape. She recognized this awesome style of dance as an art form that should be shared with the everyday woman.
Kennetta opened the first Pole Divas studio in Prahran in 2004. The studio was so successful a franchise model was quickly developed and the first franchise in Mornington was opened in 2006. A second studio opened in Prahran in 07 due to such high student demand. Pole Divas has had a huge year in 2009 opening a second franchise in Moonee Ponds and second company owned studio in Richmond.
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