Instructors

Hiba Alami

Hiba was born in Morocco where she started learning belly dancing. When she turned 18 Hiba moved from Morocco to Las Vegas and started teaching personal classes and belly dancing parties. In January 2010 Hiba began pole dancing at Pole Fitness Studio and her talents in dance were noticed as she advanced quickly.

Hiba now instructs Pole Dancing, Striptease, Lap Dancing, belly dancing and is a Pole Dancing Party Expert instructor. All of her classes are perfectly choreographed to the latest songs, by her. Hiba recently started teaching a new class called belly pole fusion and trains UNLV students for belly dancing competitions.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
Noting the student's improvement over a long term basis.

What pole move(s) are your favorite?I like the level one pole moves better than the more advanced ones because they are more attractive and sensual. My favorite move is the Madonna.

Describe yourself in three words:
Reserved, Ambitious, Passionate.

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?

  • I love dancing
  • I love interacting and getting to know the students
  • I love the fact that teachers are given a certain freedom as far as how to teach their classes.
  • I love participating in some of the women's best moments in life (their bachelorettes parties)
  • I love building up a network throughout the world from the bachelorette parties.
  • I love the fact that the owner Fawnia is reachable and that I can directly discuss my suggestions and opinions to her. It makes me feel committed and valued within the studio.

Shelly Alexander*

I have been a Hatha Yoga instructor in Las Vegas for two years. I received my 30-hour teacher training certification from Sherry Goldstein's Yoga Sanctuary and have continued my education through many workshops and continuing self practice with some of the most well-known yoga instructors in the world. Vinyasa Yoga is one of my favorite forms of yoga because it not only detoxifies and tones the body but also gives the student an opportunity to listen and learn about their physical and non-physical components. It is an invigorating flow of yoga poses using breath and movement to strengthen, stretch and balance both body and mind. My most proud moments of teaching yoga is every time a student gets up from their mat at the end of class and says with a big smile, "I feel so much better!"

In addition to my yoga studies I am a Licensed Massage Therapist here in the Las Vegas Valley. I graduated from Stillpoint Massage Therapy School in my home state of Massachusetts in 2002 and moved to Las Vegas in the summer of 2004, where I continue to expand my knowledge of movement and the body.

I enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio because of the diversity of students and classes. I value the opportunity I get each and every class to teach both first time yoga students and seasoned veterans. We create an open and inviting space for students to let go and challenge themselves and their bodies, and I look forward to many more years of introducing and guiding yoga practice to those around me.

* Instructor from out of town

Jenny Bascos

Jenny Bascos began her professional dance career at age 21 in New York City specializing in Spanish Flamenco dance and performing and touring with various Flamenco companies throughout the U.S. including Andrea Del Conte Danza Espana, Pasion y Arte, Flamenco Latino, Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco and with Grammy Award winning guitarist Hernan Romero. She later went on to perform in New York and Japan with the Metropolitan Opera in their productions of Carmen and La Traviata and was a participant in the prestigious Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Cultural Arts Program.

In 2001, together with Gregory de Silva, Jenny co-founded and is currently the co-artistic director of M'Oro Flamenco, a modern, avant-garde, improvisational, New York-styled flamenco dance and live music theater company. Based on the unique quality of their work, M'Oro was the only flamenco company chosen to participate in the 2004 New York City Fringe Festival popularly known for promoting alternative art works and is currently a seasonal guest company featured at the Pregones theater in the Bronx.

Seeking to balance her life as a performer with her need for spiritual growth, Jenny became very active in the yoga community where she later became certified as a Jivamukti yoga instructor. An expressive method of yoga which combines a rigorous physical asana practice with a deep emphasis on spiritual teachings and meditations as a way to bring harmony and liberation to the body, mind and spirit.

In 2008 on the day of her 34th birthday, she discovered pole dance and from the beginning fell in love with the physical discipline it demanded and the artistic potential it carried. She has studied under Ms. Pole Dance World finalist Jenyne Butterfly, Soul Acrobats founder Alvin Tam, the first Ms. Pole Dance Australia winner, aerialist, and burlesque performer Jamilla Deville, Wendy Traskos, founder of the U.S. Pole Dance Federation at New York Pole Dance, and with first Exotic Dance School pioneer Fawnia Dietrich and her expert staff at Pole Fitness studio in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has performed go-go and pole at the Blue Martini and as a member of the Hell's Belle's dance troupe in the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
Watching Students take a movement or choreography of mine and becoming creative with it and making it their own. I get inspired by students who enjoy the physical and creative challenges dance offers and who want to push me as their teacher to give them variety and challenge as much as I enjoy pushing them to get stronger and more proficient with their movement and body mechanics.

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
Scissor climbs are great for strength and endurance. Jade split, twisted split handstand variations, spins on static pole.

Describe yourself in three words:
Disciplined, creative, joyous

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
I enjoy the warm and encouraging environment that comes from the staff as well as the students who take class at the studio. 

Jimi Blu

Jimi Blu, born In France, lived in many countries around the world. Jimi snuck into the United States during his teen's (Military Dad). After many year's In California Jimi now resides in Las Vegas with his family (Dog and Cat).

Jimi Blu has taught "Body Balance Training" at Loyola Marymount University, fitness Clubs, business', and to private client's for over 20 years. "Body Balance Training" (B.B.T.), Is a non-bodybuilding program used by many actor's to beautify their body's, not build them. Many of Jimi's uniquely effective fitness idea's will be utilized during his "Pole Fitness" classes. Being the first male certified by Fawnia, Jimi is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with everyone at Pole Fitness Studio, especially the guys in class.

Jimi is certified by several associations: "PDIC by Pole Fitness Studio", (Pole instructor), "International Dance and Exercise Association" (Private trainer), Massage School of Santa Monica (Massage Therapist), International Federation of Baseball (Baseball Coach).

What is your most proud teaching moment?
My proudest teaching moment… when I realized I am the student and my classmates teach me.

What are your favorite pole moves?
The one's I have not learned yet. Spin moves for sure…I LUV THE "G"S MAN!!!

Describe yourself in three words.
Buddhist-Compassionate-Shy

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
Why does someone enjoy breathing? hehe No oxygen…no life…PFS gives life to my life.

Lisa Cannon

Lisa Cannon comes all the way from Sydney Australia. Our little Aussie girl moved to Vegas in June 2009 wishing to further her career in dance. Instantly she landed a position at the "Crazy Girls", Riviera Casino & was a main stage model for top stylist Robert Cromean at the Paul Mitchell "The Gathering 2009" hair show, Mandalay Bay Casino. Lisa has also starred in - American Superstars at Stratosphere Casino, Magic Of Paris at Paris Casino and Rock N Roll at Hooters.

With a strong dance background in Ballet, Tap & jazz Lisa has performed overseas for 13years consistently including the world Famous "Moulin Rouge" in Paris. Her showgirl experience & the fierce French Can-Can defiantly shines through in her performance & also teaching. Lisa also had the opportunity to dance in Macau, for 3 years with the role of Can-Can Soloist & Acrobatic Soloist at the "Crazy Paris Show" Grand Lisboa Casino. Lisa also danced on various cruise ships, Genting Highlands Casino Malaysia "Odyssey" with magician Greg Frewin, various 5 star hotels in Japan & other Asian countries including the stunning Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Casino in Seoul, South Korea  "Gypsy Moon" with local magician Phelston Jones. Lisa also performed in Sydney on "Sydney Showboat" & many more amazing locations.

Lisa has completed her exams in BBO Advanced Ballet, Jazz & Tap & also has a diploma of Makeup Artistry with Napeolan Perids Academy.

Fitness plays a great role in Lisa's life & she loves the strength & challenge that pole dancing has to offer. Lisa learnt the art of pole dancing in Sydney, Australia & is happy to share it with us today in America. Her strong dance ability brings a different flare to pole dancing that makes it very unique & sensual.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
Performing in Moulin Rouge in Paris, France and actually making it to the States!

I love teaching new students coming to the studio for their first pole dancing experience. It's exciting to see their interest in pole dancing grow even stronger after just a few classes.

What's your favorite pole move and why?
I love the Jade Splits because I love the splits.

Describe yourself in three words:
Hard worker
Honest
Determined to learn more

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
It's a very close family to me; especially when I can't be near mine in Australia. And it was one of very first jobs here in America!! Thank you Fawnia xx

Doneshia Crowder

Every since Doneshia 'Egypt' Crowder can remember, she has been a very athletic and competitive person. That rings true especially in her pole performances today. Doneshia first fell in love with the art of pole back in Kansas while watching a friend perform on a spinning pole in front of a small, lively audience. The way it appeared as if the young lady was flying around the pole, the oooh's and aaah's that resonated through the small room, and the look of amazement on everyone's faces was enough to drive Doneshia to pole for the rest of her life.

A year later Doneshia moved to Reno, NV with family and soon began to teach herself pole. Another year had passed when a friend invited Doneshia to participate in her first pole competition, which she won, wearing an Egyptian outfit thus earning the nickname "Queen Egypt". Six years later Doneshia continues to win contests throughout the state of Nevada, such as reality television Vertical Pole Challenge and has even won Las Vegas' annual Pole-A-Palooza competition in 2010. Currently Doneshia takes the stage every weekend with an energetic and exhilarating performance as a GoGo pole dancer and during the week she teaches eager students how to execute various pole tricks with grace and confidence.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
My most proud performing moment was when I finally won pole-a-palooza!  I start to sweat and my heart starts beating super fast with excitement just from watching the youtube video. 

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
My first favorite pole move will always be inside leg hang (Gemini) on a spinning pole. That move changed my life LOL! My second favorite is Iron X

Describe yourself in three words:
I am a Show off,  I am Patient, and I am an over-achiever.  (I think thats a few more than three LOL)

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
 I love teaching at pole fitness studio because I get to make women realize things about themselves that they never knew existed.  My intentions are a little selfish because there is nothing more rewarding than when one of my students comes to me and says, "You don't know how long I have been trying to do that, and now I get it!" I love that feeling. :)

Trina Davis

Trina Davis a graduate of the Touch Therapy Institute, a nationally certified (NCTMB) massage therapist, and Pole Dance Instructor Certified (PDIC) by our very own pole pioneer Fawnia Dietrich. The combination of dance and the athleticism instantly captivated Trina with the physical art of pole dancing. Now with much love and interest in this beautiful art form she continues to teach and travel attending classes and workshops with some of pole's most respected women and men-Jenyne Butterfly (USPDF Champion 2009), Alethea Austin (USPDF Champion 2010) Steven Retchless (APFC Champion 2010), David C.Owen (APFC,2010) and Zoraya Judd (APFC Pole Athlete of the Year).In addition to pole dance instructing Trina has created Tao Pole Fitness which provides the making of personal pole dance DVD's for gifts and keepsakes.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
For me it's every time I teach a class. Watching my students move, they are amazing, breathtaking and strong ladies. I am inspired by
them all and it fuels my desire to be a better teacher.

Describe yourself in three words.
Passionate, Creative and Open-minded

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
I love the Straight Edge for its strength and the Ballerina for it's beautiful and graceful lines.

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
Fawnia has been such an inspiration to me that being able to work alongside her is a dream come true. I love the space she has created it's beautiful and lit to create a sexy and feminine environment. I love that the poles are both static and spinning and in a variety of sizes. And the staff here is simply the best, always so warm and supportive making anyone that comes to pole feel totally comfortable. Just the way it should be.

Alesha Drew

Alesha began dancing at the age of three years old. She has been performing/teaching and choreographing professionally for over twelve years now, specializing in styles such as tap, jazz, hip hop, funk, showgirl/burlesque, musical theatre, contemporary, ballet and also singing. Alesha has her diploma of Dance Teaching and Management from Box Hill Institute of Tafe and also her Certificate 3 in Commercial Jazz and Musical Theatre Performing Arts from Tony Bartuccio's Performing Arts and Promotion Centre. A renowned sort after tap teacher, teaching many styles of dance across Australia and internationally. Contracts performing shows with 'Viva Paris' and 'Della Notte' as Dance Captain at The Sands Casino and The Venetian Casino in Macau China. Asia's Las Vegas! Completing a contract as Company Manager/Swing dancer for the Dion and Randall production of 'Gypsy Moon' at The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill in Seoul - South Korea. Also working for Event Theatre Australia as personal assistant, choreographing, managing corporate events and performing. Currently living in Las Vegas pursuing her talents in the worlds entertainment capital! Beginning with a swing position in the 'American Superstar' show at the Stratosphere, teaching at Pole Fitness Studio, currently dancing in 'An evening at La Cage' show at the 4 Queens and working with numerous companies in town performing, choreographing and loving life!

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
One of my most proud performing moments was when my family flew from Australia to Vegas to see me perform in my show - American Superstars.

What is your favorite form of dance and why?
Tap - From the age of 3 years old I loved tap. It came very natural to me - the ankle mobility, the sound, the rhythm - creating that with my own two feet brings me to life.

Describe yourself in three words:
Persistent
Ambitious
Genuine

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
It is a very positive, influential and fun environment with fantastic people to work with and teach.

Jenn Gray

Jenn Gray, who shares a name with a certain "Dirty Dancing" actress, grew up performing in majorettes, cheerleading and dance team. She loves to create new choreography and enjoys making up routines for her students.  She has been involved with teaching and dance since 1991, when coached her school's cheer squad for five years. Jenn has been a student at Pole Fitness Studio for two years and teaches group fitness at the UNLV Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Her favorite part about teaching and dance is helping women develop body confidence and letting their personality show through dancing!

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?  
My proudest performance moment was my solo at the spring 2011 recital, to Muse's cover of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good".  My proudest teaching moment so far has been finding quick modifications for my routines so everyone feels like they can participate in them!

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
My favorites are the fireman spin, the peek-a-boo, the tick-tock and of course, the booty pop.  I could do that move all day!

Describe yourself in three words:
Fierce, Fun, Strong

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
I love the energy and friendliness of the studio and the people.  I may work full time somewhere else, but I "live" at Pole Fitness Studio!

Amanda Jordan

Amanda Jordan is an Alaskan-raised performer that has been teaching dance and fitness since 1997. She has performed and taught in Anchorage, Seattle, Los Angeles, and now conquers Las Vegas. Amanda owns and operates Chameleon Dance Productions in Las Vegas. Visit Pole Fitness Studio and study Pole Fitness, Yoga, GoGo Dancing, Belly Dancing and her latest creation: Go Go, Belly, Pole Fusion.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment? 
I'm proud of my dancers and students every day.  I'm proud of strangers I teach for the first time that impress me with their courage, initiative, and self-esteem.  I'm proud of myself when I figure out how to explain a move to someone who's struggling in a way that they will understand.  Watching them have the "a-ha" moment is really cool.

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
Spins.  They look and feel like flying.  One of my absolute favorites is chair.  Partially because it took me two years to really get it, but now I can teach it to someone on usually the first try.  It symbolizes perseverance to me.

Describe yourself in three words: 
Alaskan, Cat-lady, and Entrepreneur.

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio? 
I love Pole Fitness Studio because I get to have fun, stay fit, dance, and swing on a pole!  There's really no other place I get to share in this special culture with other women.  Classes are the highlight of my day.

Trixie Lovett*

Trixie Lovett started dancing later in life than most trained dancers. She began her career as an exotic dancer in Oregon in her mid-twenties, and continued to dance when she relocated to Las Vegas in 1997. Having more opportunities to dance, Trixie began working with Fawnia Dietrich at Pole Fitness Studio, where she was the lead instructor. (Now Trixie travels in from Hawaii offering specialty workshops and LDIC Lap Dane Instructors Certification.) Trixie's favorite classes are Spinning Pole, because of the challenge it presents to dancers, and Cougar Pole which is geared for the "more mature" dancer. Trixie brings her expertise to many competitions by judging pole events and at the state level. She is an AFAA nationally certified Personal Trainer, and is fascinated by anatomy and the body's movement. She has been featured on several local news channels and in the newspaper USA Today.

In her free time Trixie enjoys being a wife to husband Christopher, an electrical engineer. She also enjoys her two adult children and adores her three pot-bellied pigs. Trixie practices yoga when she's off the pole.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
One of my proudest teaching moments was during the student recital last year. I had a relatively novice Spinning Pole class, but they were all excited to perform in the upcoming recital. I had choreographed a routine that quickly proved to be more difficult than most students were ready to tackle. They made a valiant effort to learn it, but I was worried about pushing them too hard too fast. Less than four weeks prior to the recital I blended the existing routine with a more intermediate routine, and the class was happy with the new modification. Those polers put 100% effort into learning and perfecting everything so it was in tandem and looked blended. On recital day I knew everybody was so nervous and I was quite concerned. But the music started and they just danced! All the extra hours we had devoted to making the routine look seamless paid off tenfold. To see my Spinners finish the routine with a look of joy on their faces made me overwhelmed with emotion! Truly one of my proudest teaching moments!

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
My favorite pole move is the aerial horizontal splits commonly called "chopstix". Flexibility moves are my favorite and this was a challenge I was thrilled to master!

Describe yourself in three words:
In three words: a. Seven inch stilettos or b. Crazy pig lady or c. Awesome fun instructor

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
I don't just enjoy teaching at Fawnia's Pole Fitness Studio - I love it! The truly amazing, open-minded people I meet are beyond compare. My students continually challenge and inspire me. So many of them are not just my students, they are my friends as well. And the other instructors at the studio are so good about supporting each other! To work in an environment where there is just so much understanding is fabulous! On top of it, Fawnia is the most beautiful person to work with. She is a true pioneer in the industry, yet so humble. She is kind, compassionate, caring, and approachable and is ALWAYS willing to help. Her trust and belief in me has made me a better instructor, and more important, a better person.

* Instructor from out of town

Tiffany "Chevelle" McCorkle

Tiffany "Chevelle" McCorkle, was born and raised in Las Vegas. She's been dancing since she was 5 years old. Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-hop, lyrical and eventually made it as a demi soloist in Palm Springs. After that she perused a career as an entertainer for Déjà Vu Las Vegas. She's most comfortable on a stage. "Most people get nervous the minute they have to perform, for me it's just the opposite. I am calm and content when I'm on the stage".

Tiffany starting competing in 2005. She's the 2005, 2nd place national winner for Déjà Vu's Showgirl of the year competition. Also Showgirl of the year for 2006, and 2007 and the 2008 regional winner for Pole Princess. Tiffany also won 2009 showgirl of the year, and also regional Pole princess winner and again in 2010 Showgirl of the year. "Stage and Pole work is more than a sport for me its art". She loves to teach and has been teaching girls for years throughout Déjà Vu. Today Pole Fitness Studio is where she proudly calls home.

What is your most proud teaching moment?
My proudest teaching moment was watching a student go from having two left feet into becoming one of the most beautiful and graceful dancers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. All of the Competitions were proud moments for me, the second I am on that stage I am comfortable and I am at peace. It’s a great feeling to know where your comfort zone is and competing is defiantly my comfort zone.

What are your favorite pole moves?
My favorite pole move without a doubt is the Levitation. :)

Describe yourself in three words.
Grateful, humble, and a chameleon

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
I have a high amount of respect for Fawnia and have always been a fan of her performances; I have a love for the art of pole work, and it is a great honor for me to be a part of the Pole Fitness Studio Team.

Judy Sayarath

Judy Sayarath originates from Providence, Rhode Island where she extensively trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, modern, and hip hop.  She specializes in jazz funk and hip-hop and having lived in Las Vegas for over 5 years, her style is now a fusion of east and west coast funk.  She also teaches dance for the fitness program at UNLV, has toured with her band to China for the beginning half of 2009, and has performed at various shows and events throughout Las Vegas.  With years of experience in the studio and on stage, Judy hopes to inspire students with her love and passion through the artistry of dance.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?  
Proud and speechless upon receiving a copy of a former student's college entrance essay that she wrote...about me.

What is your favorite form of dance and why?
My favorite form of dance is cabaret/burlesque.  The choreography is fun, theatrical, cute, and sexy all at the same time!

Describe yourself in three words:
silly, loyal, and patient.

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
The staff and the students.  I always know I'll walk out with a smile after a day of teaching at Pole Fitness Studio.  

Nikki Sheppard

Nikki Sheppard began her life-long love for dance at the age of three in Utah.  She started her dance training in jazz, cheerleading, hip hop, and tap but ultimately found her passion in partner dancing - specializing in cha cha, salsa, rumba, samba, west coast & east coast swing, lindy hop, country two-step, foxtrot, waltz, and tango.  Nikki competed in formation dancing (member of Dance Attack and BYU Ballroom Dance Company) as well as individually winning numerous awards.

In 1999 Nikki began her teaching career and year later moved to Las Vegas where she has continued teaching - as well as competing professionally and performing in special events.  Nikki has a BS in Business Management and has been a member of the National Dance Council of America since 2001.  

Nikki fell in love with the art of pole dancing and with Fawnia's Pole Fitness Studio and began teaching in 2009.

What is your most proud teaching or performing moment?
My most proud teaching moment – which I've experienced a numerous times – is when it's someone's first time dancing and they were sooo nervous (they didn't think they could do it) and I got to make them feel at ease, laughing, and just having fun. It's a great feeling when they walk away feeling good about themselves and excited to come back!

What pole move(s) are your favorite?
My favorite pole moves are Peter Pan and obviously anything where you're upside down. When I first started pole dancing, I thought "no way am I capable of doing that!" But after a few weeks I flipped upside down and was so proud of myself!

Describe yourself in three words:
If I were to describe myself in three words it would be spicy, sassy, and sensational. Haha I sound like a new spaghetti sauce. I will say I'm patient, creative, and I'm gonna stick with sassy!

Why do you enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio?
I enjoy teaching at Pole Fitness Studio because it's such an upbeat and supportive studio. I find it so exciting helping others look and feel their best in such a fun and sexy way and to know that everyone is there to support you! I love that you don't not need to feel self-conscious or intimated when you walk into any of the monthly classes or parties and that you are guaranteed to have a fun and sexy workout!