Why we're here...
"The arts are a challenging and under-appreciated field. However, I believe very deeply in the importance of creative work for individuals/communities and for social change. We need more art in the world - not merely for entertainment, but for the well-being of our communities, to reconnect to the self, and to foster a more universal and inclusive language. Being an artist is a constant risk, but one that is well worth the moments of inspiration that allow us to create, perform, share, teach and inspire."
-- Ruth McConnell, owner
Meet your Instructors
Ruth
Owner, Lead Instructor
Ruth has been immersed in the world of arts from the age of 4, beginning with ballet, tap, and jazz. She brings fifteen years of instruction and competition to her teaching with concurrent yoga, ballroom dance, and fitness pursuits. She believes in movement as both a healing art and as a form of personal expression. There is a strong focus on correct alignment and form. Variations for poses and sequences allow for all levels to find an appropriate balance of challenge and comfort while developing inner awareness.
"No matter what shape, size, age, or skill level... everyone supports each other and becomes a family. It is important that the students taking a pole class feel comfortable with their bodies and external interpretation of who they are inside. If there is any way to help improve your self-awareness and confidence, I will strive to get you there."
Affiliations: PoleStrong - lvl 1 & 2 conditioning specialist
Band-Assisted Pole trained
United States Pole Dance Federation
Pole Fitness Alliance
American Pole Fitness Association
Baptiste Power Yoga Methodology
Certified! Ruth is also available for private and semi-private instruction.
Contact me!
Aryssa
Basework & Spin Flow (lvl 2.5)
Bio coming soon!
Claire
Pole Tricks (lvl 3)
Claire started pole dancing in 2015, coming from a background of gymnastics and pole vaulting. High-flying flippy tricks are her favorite things about pole, but she has dabbled in many aspects of pole, from the heels and sultry side to flowy barefoot dance. She loves to help students on the path to nailing that next big move and is here to spot, physically and/or emotionally.
Claire is Elevated Levels 1 & 2 certified.
Ashley
Low Flow (lvl 2)
It's Tricky! (lvl 2+)
Ashley's pole journey began in 2016 while exploring different dance styles in an effort to explore movement and gain flexibility. She fell in love with the versatility that pole dance offered and loved how it helped her to build strength, grace, and confidence. Her personal teaching philosophy focuses on "safety, style, and smiles" as she aims to help her students discover and develop their own personal dance style while remaining safe and having fun.
Ashley is XPERT 1 & 2 certified.
Tess
Pole Mechanics (lvl 2+)
Inversion Training (lvl 2.5)
Hi, polers! My name is Tess or Sunnii (sunny). Either way I'm here to brighten your day! I've been poling for 4 years going on 5 and I love it! It is everything fitness and finesse for me -- empowering and *so* much fun. I love teaching and I'm excited to be back at the home studio where I started my journey. Let's dance!!!
Tess is Discoveries Dance Certified, all levels.
Brittaney
Soft Strength: Pole Stretch & Flow
Brittaney Valentino is an E-RYT 500, YACEP and Mindfulness meditation teacher and owner of Rooted Nest LLC, a Yoga and Meditation company based in Wilmington, DE. She is also the co-founder of Embodied Mind LLC, a mindfulness-based consulting company.
Along with offering online and in person classes nationwide, she moonlights as a Senior Teacher and the Programs Coordinator at Dharma Moon Incorporated, an online mindfulness-based learning platform, and global community under the direction of her mentor, Senior Buddhist teacher David Nichtern.
When not teaching or practicing, she enjoys making memories with her family with traveling, being in the woods, hanging out by lakes, cooking, and gardening. For more, check out rootednestyoga.com
Valkyrie
Frame & Foundation
Strong & Bendy
Valkyrie discovered her passion for pole dancing during the pandemic and was instantly hooked. After competing in PoleSport for a while, she started learning from Pole Kitten and found her true love in heels. She’s competed both nationally and internationally, earning top 3 spots in Exotic Generation USA and Euphoria in Cancun, Mexico, and placing in the top 5 at Exotic Paradise in Barcelona in 2023. Valkyrie's style blends flow and Hypno Pole (a signature style developed by Pole Kitten), incorporating tricks from her PoleSport days into her flow.
Valkyrie is all about technique and proper engagement to prevent injuries. She loves to incorporate conditioning and active mobility work into her classes, ensuring her students feel both safe and strong in their pole journey. Valkyrie also encourages her students to experiment and discover their own unique style in their dance, striving to make each class a fun and empowering experience.
Valkyrie is XPert-certified, levels 1-4.