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

Nakiyah Chanel

Instructor

Valkyrie

Instructor

Valkyrie started at PPF in 2019 and fell in love with pole instantly! Having no prior experience in dance, gymnastics or aerial arts, it was a surprise to learn how much she loves to be upside-down! Further, she loves the opportunity to express her creativity through pole and performance. Valkyrie is particularly attracted to power and strength tricks, but enjoys the challenge of finding balance between strength and flexibility. Additionally, she regularly performs and competes throughout the US. Prior to pole dancing, Valkyrie was a professional horseback rider and was certified to teach at the upper levels of eventing and dressage. Valkyrie received her XPERT pole certification in 2021.

Certifications & Awards

• XPERT Pole Certified
• 2021 PSO Northeast Lvl 4 Dramatic
• 2021 PSO Nationals Lvl 3 Dramatic

 

Emma Finley

Instructor

Emma was drawn into pole dancing in 2009 and began teaching in 2011, with certifications through X-Pert and Aradia Fitness. Melding acrobatic strength, dance fluidity, and general openness and sensuality, Emma teaches humans of all walks of life to unlock their unique fullness through expressive movement.

Lessons will focus on building dynamic, sustainable, and authentic movement with beginner to intermediate level dancers through concentrations such as floorwork and low flow (on and off the pole), aerial pole acrobatics, freestyle movement, choreography, heelwork, as well as mobility and conditioning for building strong and bendy bodies.

Competitions & Showcases

• Aerial Allure Virtual 2020
• PSO 2018 – ** Champion Lvl 4 Bronze
• Metal Pole Mayhem 2018
• Metal Pole Mayhem 2016

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!