Instructors

Aimee Matthews

Owner

Aimee is fitness industry leader and has been all of her adult life boasting more than 25+ years in the fitness industry with teaching experience in almost every mainstream fitness endeavor.

Aimee tried out her first pole fitness class in Jan 2012 and was instantly hooked from the first “spin” around the pole.  Persistence, hard work, lots of practice, and private lessons has paid off.  At the age of 45, Aimee had found the ultimate fitness challenge with an artistic presentation that suits her nature.

Pole dance fitness seemed to provide another appealing challenge for Aimee a previous National Aerobic Champion competitor and Fitness America Pageant competitor.

“I was a bit skeptical at first that maybe this activity was best left to “younger gals”. Well I quickly got past that and realized every woman has an inner sexy side no matter what her age. Why put constraints on that? Expressing beauty, self-confidence, athleticism and sensuality is a great form of empowerment.”

“I love dance, performance and creative fitness activities. They allow for self expression, freedom and a beautiful sense of confidence.  I am thrilled to be sharing this new form of exercise with my students. I have had many injuries over my lifetime career as an athlete including a resurfaced, (metal constructed) hip. My lifetime experience with many aches, pains and set-backs has given me great insight on the limits of the body.  I often share with my students on how to avoid injury, strengthen necessary muscles and see progress at their chosen pace.”

Pole dance is not an all or nothing activity. Some students may strive to be a competitor in the sport while some may enjoy having a fun, alternative workout that gives them a stronger, leaner body. Some may just want to have fun dancing and share the camaraderie of the other ladies doing the same while some may seek a sexy way to surprise their significant other. Pole Fitness offers all of these and more.

About Aimee:

• 2019 Exotic Generation USA Champion (Group Category)
• 2018 Dance Filthy USA Pro Finalist (4th Place)
• Pole Sport Organization Pro-Level Competitor, winning numerous times in exotic and low-flow categories
• Founder of Slinky Minx Pole Wear Company
• Xpert Certified Pole Instructor by X-Pole
• Over 20 years in fitness industry
• Certified Personal trainer
• Pro-level pole competitor, coach, and choreographer
• Past coaching experience with National Aerobics Championships and Fitness America Pageant competitors. Trained and choreographed winning routines for competitors in both sports.
• BS in Psychology from University of Southern Maine, AS in business administration.
• People’s Choice at NAPDC 2016 in the International Masters category
• Professionally certified Pilates instructor through Body Arts and Science International
• Owner of Smart Body Pilates studio-Raleigh

 

 

Lillian DuBiel

Co-Owner

Always having been involved in some form of fitness, she became one of Pole Play’s charter members. Her love of the sport comes from the fact that it is always challenging and never boring.

As a co-owner of Pole Play, Lillian brings not only her love for this studio and its clients but her marketing, organizational and event planning skills.

About Lillian:

• Xpert Certified Pole Instructor by X-Pole
• Pole Sport Organization Grand Master Medalist
• Slinky Minx Pole Wear Co-Owner
• Started pole dancing at age 51
• Grand-master competitor
• Spanish-speaking
• Mother of three and grandmother of three
• Passion for interior design and event planning

Preeti Munlagiri

Instructor

Preeti Munlagiri grew up dancing to bollywood music and has loved dancing ever since she can remember. She started training in belly dancing 9 years ago, but was drawn to pole when some of her friends mentioned it to her in class. She took her first pole class 5 years ago and she was hooked since then. She is experienced in teaching cardio fitness classes like Zumba, BollyX and Buti yoga. She has competed at PSO several times and loves to add an eastern touch to her performances. She loves preparing and conditioning for performances and competitions and loves pushing herself to try new concepts and styles each time.

Certifications:

• Xpert Certified pole instructor
• Zumba Certification
• Buti Yoga Certification
• Pole Sport Organization Competitor

Bonnie Cozmo

Instructor

Bonnie Cozmo is a second-generation circus performer and dance has been radiating from her body and soul since she was born. She is a classically trained ballerina and has years of experience in Jazz, Tap, Modern and holds the Guinness Book of World Record for the longest Ayesha hold at 1m & 16.5s; held since 2012.

Her movement journey began at age 5 and she has trained at various institutions, including but not limited to: Broadway Dance Center, Raleigh School of Ballet, American Dace Festival, Florida Dance Festival, Body & Pole, NC School of the Arts, NC Dance Institute, The Choreography House, Be Spun and the Cirque School of LA.

Certifications & Awards

• Xpert Certified pole instructor
• 2019 Exotic Generation USA Champion (Group Category)
• Yoga-fit
• Kripalu DansKietics
• Aradia Fitness
• The Method

Kat Watkins

Instructor

Kate found pole dancing when she was just 19, satisfying her dancer-heart during her International Studies degree at NC State. She quickly became an instructor and has been movin’ and groovin’ all over the world for the last 10 years. Whether in Zanzibar, Jerusalem, or her Peace Corps service in Tanzania, she’s found a way to express feminine badassery with laughter, advocacy, and open heartedness. Find Kate sweating out a HIIT workout or feelin’ herself in 9inch platforms… either way, be ready to
move to international beats!

Frost Shea

Instructor

Frost has done pole for over  2 and a half years. Her background in dance consists of Lyrical/Contemporary & Modern dance, tap dance, and Step Team, as well as beginner level tap dance and more. 

Her versatile background allows her to be a chameleon in the dance world!

 

Certifications

• Xpert Certified Pole Instructor

Liz Adora Waddell

Instructor

Liz has been pole dancing and teaching pole for over a decade. She has a BFA in dance and taught Pilates, dance, and group fitness for over 20 years. She earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UNC-CH and is the owner of Art of Movement Physical Therapy in Cary, where she uses “outside of the box” strategies to help active people achieve their goals.

When not pole dancing, Liz is a competitive Olympic weightlifter and hikes tall mountains as often as possible. 

Professional Pole Competitions

• 2018 PSO TPC Pro Championship 2nd place
• 2017 Pole Theater USA Competitor
• 2017 PSO TPC Exotic Level 5 2nd place
• 2016 PSO Nationals 5th place
• 2016 PSO SPC Pro Championship 2nd place

Loree Bailey

Instructor

Loree has 6 years of pole experience with an emphasis on exotic pole dance, plus a years-long background in ballet. You’ll find Loree grooving to the hard style beats of hip hop as well as blending the enticing allure of heels with the timeless grace of pointe shoes.

She is a dedicated performer, competitor and instructor who loves to share the joy dance with our students. Loree believes that anyone, regardless of their fitness level or dance background, can discover joy in the art of movement through dance. 

Certifications & Awards

• XPert Certified Pole Instructor
• Certified in Essential Science of Heels
• PSO multi-medalist
• Heels and Thrills medalist