Friday 23 December 2011

Pole Files Interview 11: Marion Crampe Pole Dancer

The Latest interview is Marion Crampe from France. She has been a amazing dancer all her life, so she picked up pole dancing so easily. She has performed at some amazing places and I have attached my favourite video of her on the beach. This is what Marion has to say.

Quick bio

Born in 1983 in Lourdes, France, Marion started her career at a young age with classic ballet & ballet jazz. Later she discovered street jazz and hip hop.

In 2009, she entered the first French Pole Dance Competition where she won the third place and sponsor choice. In the 2010, she won the first runner place. In September 2010, she was selected to perform in the showcase of POLE ART Competition in Stockolm.                    
 Since October 2010, she is the leading teacher at MILAN POLE DANCE STUDIO contributing to pole dance expansion in Italia and in the world.
Marion is now working on her acrobatic skills with hoop.
She is an active member of the French Pole Dance Team, a group of the best French pole dancers.
 She participated to the POLE DANCE SUMMER CAMP‘s second edition in St Marteen with the world top pole dancers and will teach to the first week of the POLE DANCE SUMMER CAMP's 3rd edition with Natasha Wang.

She finished in the top 5 after the I WORLD CUP in Rio de Janeiro in September 2011 and took the second runner up place in the French championship this year. She was also finalist in Pole Art in Helsinki in October 2011.

This year, she travels around the world to share her knowledge and passion. She will make a South America tour during January and February and on March in South Africa.
Next steps will be Europe, US and Canada.

"AVEC PASSION"


 
Latest achievements:

- Best Show Award at Aerial International Competition in Bern, March 2011
- First runner up at French Pole Championship 2010
- Top 5 finalists at I WORLD CUP in Rio de Janeiro, September 2011
- Finalist in Pole Art Competition in Helsinki, September 2011





- Second runner up at French Pole Championship, November 2011
  
 
How long have you been doing pole dancing? The moment you realized you love it?

The year 2006 was a revelation for me since I took my first pole dance class. I felt in love instantly with this art, train everyday and started teaching six months later.

Describe your style

My pole style is very similar to a dancer because I aim at moving fluidly with lightness on and of the pole with precision and beautiful lines.
 


Favourite move

“The eagle” (also called Bielman) and “Rainbow Marchenko”.
I, normally, prefer to focus on combos instead of single moves. I really think this is where we can be the most creative.

Tools of the trade, what can’t you live without when pole dancing?

I actually don’t need anything, I am a 100% natural. LOL.

Any hobbies or passion outside of pole dancing?

I love travelling and meeting people from all around the world, laugh to tear with my girls, cappuccino and my physiotherapist which I could not live without.

Can’t live without?

Capuccino, poledance, sparkles… and LOVE.

Growing up I wanted to be a …

A dancer...
Last year my mother found my “secret’s book” written when I was 7 years old. At that time, I wrote that I dreamed to be a dancer.

Favourite things of all time:

Movie: I have a preference for Biopic movies.

TV show: I don’t have a TV I prefer to read books.

Musician: All different styles of music (except for country).

Song: “Iris” of Goo Goo Dolls.

Book: Douglas Kennedy.

Food: Grilled chicken cooked by Dad.

Designer: I like new trendy designers.
Thanks for the interview Marion.

Thursday 22 December 2011

Pole Files Interview 10: Elena Koroteeva Pole Dancer

Now for the 10th Interview, we have Elena Koroteeva from Moscow, Russia. Elena is amazing flexible which gives all her moves a beautiful feel.

Her is Elena's story.




How long have you been doing pole dancing? 

I’ve been doing pole dancing for 2 years and 3 months


The moment you realised you love pole dancing?

When I saw a video of Felix Cane wearing a hat for the first time 

Describe your style.

My style depends on my mood. Actually I haven’t decided yet.





Favourite move?

Rainbow, Mexico

Tools of the trade, what can’t you live without when pole dancing?

Only liquid chalk for alpinists can help me

Any hobbies or passions outside of pole dancing?

Aerial silk. I also like doing acrobatics in my free time very much.

Can't live without?

I can’t live without stretching. I like stretching my muscles very much. That’s why I’ve reached fruitful results. Such results are very good for a person who has never done pole dancing before.

Growing up I wanted to be a.....

I wanted to be a teacher. That’s why I study at the pedagogical college


Favourite things of all time:

TV Show: Dexter, Nip/Tuck




Thank you Elena, I absolutely love your pictures.

Sunday 18 December 2011

Pole Files Interview 9: Michelle Shimmy Pole Dancer

The 9th interview is with Michelle Shimmy from Australia. I am so impressed by all of Michelle's great routines and videos on you tube, I love how she captures an audience so easy.



So here is more about Michelle Shimmy.


Quick bio.

I started taking classes and became more and more obsessed, until I decided with my sister to open our own studio, The Pole Dance Academy in Bondi, Sydney, Australia. I did a lot of gymnastics as a kid, and when I discovered pole I thought, this is like gymnastics for grown ups! I teach pole at my studio, and I compete and perform around Sydney and overseas as well, which is awesome - I love that I can travel and pole dance pretty much wherever I go. I also work part-time as a lawyer in a community legal centre, which keeps me pretty busy.


http://www.poledanceacademy.com.au/

How long have you been doing pole dancing?

5 years.

The moment you realised you love pole dancing?

 From my first class! 

Describe your style.

I suppose mainly my style is strong, slow and sexy. I like power moves - aerial phoenixes, dead lifts, iron x's etc. I love the feeling of strength that pole gives me, and I love being able to bust out moves that most guys can't even begin to do. 

In terms of dance style, I'm a bit of a pole traditionalist - I like my pole very sexy, and as much as I admire the beauty of contemporary dance, my personal preference when I perform is definitely sexy pole dancing (maybe that's because I can't do contemporary dance very well!). 

That said, I really admire the girls who can incorporate contemporary/lyrical styles into their routines, because I think it brings diversity to the sport and also (let's be honest) a bit more credibility! I usually wear stripper shoes to perform, but I like dancing barefoot because it allows you to incorporate more moves into your floorwork that would otherwise be quite unsafe in heels.





 

Favourite move?

I can't pick just one! At the moment, I'm really excited about being able to do a dead lift with a normal grip (i.e. not twisted grip), and also a scorpion handstand into a drop split. I'm also working on a forward spinning cupped grip lift into a static V, which I love because it looks so strong.

I'm a bit of a youtube and facebook fiend, and I always post new moves/combos/tricks that I come up with on facebook because I like to share what I'm working on. So if what I'm talking about makes no sense, have a look at my videos on facebook!


Tools of the trade, what can’t you live without when pole dancing?

Stripper heels, Mighty Grip wrist guards (I have a persistent wrist injury), and also - my awesome sister Maddie and the other Pole Dance Academy teachers, who make pole so much more fun for me!

Any hobbies or passions outside of pole dancing?

Ha ha not really... I love my dog and cat!

Can't live without?

My sister and my boyfriend, my dog and cat, and my pole! Not sure what order though...

Growing up I wanted to be a.....


Corporate lawyer, until I found out what it was really all about...


Favourite things of all time:

Movie: Labyrinth, Never-ending Story, the Dark Crystal

TV Show: Family Guy

Musician: Kurt Cobain/Jeff Buckley

Album: Nevermind by Nirvana

Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Book: Ada or Ardour by Vladimir Nabokov

Magazine: Not into magazines 

Food: anything vegetarian

Designer: Supre (only Aussies will get why that is funny!)

I would like to thank Michelle for taking the time to tell us her story. 

Pole Files Interview 8: Kelly Yvonne Pole Dancer/Choreographer


Today we we have interview with the creator and director of Girl next Door 
a Pole Dance Soirée Kelly Yvonne. She Choreographers routines for some of the best pole dancers.



Check out the website.

Lets here a bit more about Kelly.




Quick bio.

My name is Kelly Yvonne and I am the creator, director, choreographer and producer of Girl Next Door - a pole dance soirée (GND) and Hide and Seek - a pole dance speakeasy. I am also a classical trained dancer who had retired before discovering pole!

GND is the first and longest running pole dance revue in the nation and will be expanding to other cities throughout 2012, including San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago and San Diego.

I recently opened The Choreography House, which is a pole dance rehearsal and training facility located in North Hollywood, CA. This studio is operated and instructed by current members of the casts and provides a space for them to train and teach.

Lastly, I have also choreographed award winning pole dance routines for top pole athletes, including Natasha Wang, Laura Martin, Amber Richard, Karri Telford and Charley Crystal.
   

How long have you been doing pole dancing?

I have been pole dancing since 2009.

The moment you realised you love pole dancing?

I loved it before I tried it. I attended a studio recital and immediately saw the immense possibility of the art form. Over the next few weeks I signed up for classes at four different studios. Three months later, I launched Girl Next Door - a pole dance soirée!

Describe your style.

My personal style is lyrical, contemporary movement meshed with profound storytelling and a wee bit of acting. 

Favourite move?

Currently I am in LOVE with anything on spinning pole!



Tools of the trade, what can’t you live without when pole dancing?

A few months ago it would've been Firm Grip but I am a recent iTac convert!

Any hobbies or passions outside of pole dancing?

Choreographing other forms of dance. I am currently working on a musical for a web series produced by Subway Corporation and I am having so much fun teaching actors movement.

Can't live without?

My computer (I know...lame!)



Growing up I wanted to be a.....

Choreographer and Entrepreneur (tada!) It's amazing how our passions develop within us at a very young age. Ask any of my childhood friends and they will tell you that 1) I made them perform my choreography in my fake shows and 2) I was creating business models in elementary school. 

Favourite things of all time:

Movie: 
The Fountain

TV Show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Musician: George Michael

Album: On the Jungle Floor by Van Hunt

Song: *right now* Work Out by J Cole

Book: The Tipping Point

Magazine: ANY fashion, design or architecture magazine

Food: Coffee or anything with caffeine

Designer: Alexander McQueen


Thanks Kelly, Love your work:)

Thursday 15 December 2011

Pole Files Interview 7: Mina Mortezaie Pole Dancer

I have had the great pleasure of interviewing Mina Mortezaie. A truly amazing pole dancer. She holds many Championship titles at different pole competitions around the world. She has also collaborated with Karol Helms (2010 USPDF Miss Sexy), Estee Zakar (2010 USPDF Miss Trixster) partnered with Bad Kitty in order to create PoleFit with a goal of giving the Pole Fitness community the best possible product specific to their sport. They have worked tirelessly and taken part in every facet of design, testing, research and development in order to achieve this goal.

Lets find out a little more about Mina Mortezaie.

Quick bio.


Mina comes from a background in Dance and Gymnastics. She has trained in lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and modern jazz dance styles and performed with multiple dance companies. In addition to training in gymnastics she has coached children’s gymnastics for over 8 years. Her fitness background also includes: weight training, yoga, surfing and snowboarding. Mina has been Pole Dancing for over 2 and a half years with experience from a number of different studios and styles. She brings grace, strength, and flexibility to her pole dancing. With a degree in Communications from UCLA, Mina’s resume includes experience in broadcast journalism and digital marketing. Mina’s biggest joy lies in the empowerment of women through the beautiful, strong and seductive art of Pole Dancing.
  
Mina graced the December 2009 cover of Pole 2 Pole magazine where she was featured as Pole Star of the month. Other press Mina has been featured in includes an article in the LA Times titled: “The pole vaults into a new role.” The LA times described Mina by saying her “forte seems to be perfectly executed vertical and inverted split maneuvers.”
Mina has also been seen on national television teaching pole lessons to adult film stars in “The Secret Lives of Women” which airs on the Women’s Entertainment channel.
Mina’s clientele includes teaching the girls next door/playboy playmate twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon at the playboy mansion.
Mina says: From my first pole dancing class I instantly became addicted and couldn’t get enough. The movement is an incredible workout and a powerful boost in confidence. I definitely recommend this for all women; not only will it tone up your body, but it can transform your life.
Mina's titles include: 2010 USPDF Amateur Champion, Pole Vixen Los Angeles Champion, East Meets West Doubles Champion (with partner Nadia Sharif). Mina currently teaches at Evolve Dance Studio and Be Spun in the Los Angeles area.





How long have you been doing pole dancing?

4yrs

The moment you realised you love pole dancing?

my first class

Describe your style.

lyrical, expressive, fluid, graceful 

Favourite move?

i have a new one I made up, its like an over extended iguana, required alot of shoulder flexibilty, thinking of calling it the komodo dragon ;)

Tools of the trade, what can’t you live without when pole dancing?

itac2



Any hobbies or passions outside of pole dancing?

traveling, yoga, aerial arts

Can't live without?

my bf


Growing up I wanted to be a.....

a journalist 

Favourite things of all time:

Movie: black swan



TV Show: workaholics and the office

Musician:  the xx, skrillex

Album: art of flight soundtrack 

Song: toxic cover by yael naim

Book: memoirs of a geisha

Magazine: vertical mag

Food: sushi salad and cereal 

Designer: J. Valentine


 I like to thank Mina for her time and for sharing her amazing work with us.