ABOUT THE STUDIO

Dizzy Stardust (they/them) was inspired to take their first pole class at Steel and Grace in fall of 2019 after watching their friend perform in a student showcase and feeling a strong connection with the movement styles and expression of pole. They are a certified L1 pole instructor with over 2 years of performance and choreography experience, frequently seen performing in Santa Cruz local Dual Demons queer variety shows and more.
They love finding creative flow in free movement and developing choreography, often taking a silly and/or sensual approach to their thematic acts. Inspired by smooth, slinky movement coupled with impressive tricks and flows on spin pole, Dizzy Stardust enjoys playing with various dance styles and is passionate about helping students find their own inspiration in their pole and dance practice.

Amber (she/her) has been dancing for two and half years. She’s always loved to dance but her pole journey officially started when she became an S Factor student at Steel and Grace. Through her dance practice she’s learned to somatically connect with her sensuality, power and unique sensitivities. As someone with synesthesia, dance has opened up a whole new world for her. As a certified S Factor instructor she’s excited to help her students tap into their own strength, sensuality and pleasure led movement. 

Erica (she/her) joins the Steel and Grace Instructor team as a certified S Factor instructor after spending 2 years as a student of S Factor at the studio navigating through all levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) attending all offered specialty workshops at the studio and attending other S Factor studios to learn from other teachers and dance with different bodies. Her signature dance moves tend to be low flow, very slow, slinky, and sticky; deeply emotional; or soft and delicate. Erica is also a trained Ballroom dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Her favorite styles of dance are Waltz, Tango, and Salsa.

Outside of dance Erica enjoys photography. On her spare time she is regularly commissioned as a Stills Photographer to capture Behind the Scenes and marketing images for film productions and enjoys traveling, cooking, jazz music, and being immersed in the beauty and sounds of the ocean.

Erica has stated that she loves the practice of S Factor as what you get here you just won't find anywhere else out in other movement practices in the world so targeted to building and defining a healthy self concept and your own personal femininity through body-led, pleasure filled movement, and her hope is that, as a teacher, she can help guide individuals in being able to have a similar experience that enlivens and empowers them in how they navigate their life and the world.

Kethry (she/her) started her pole journey in 2018 and has found joy in dance and movement ever since she was young. She hopes to help others find joy in moving their bodies and to give them tools they can use to express themselves through pole dance. Kethry has trained in various dance forms including ballet, tap, jazz and Argentine tango. She loves both static and spin pole for the different challenges they pose, and loves combining the tricks and dance aspects of pole.

With a background in climbing, yoga teacher training, and triathlon, Marli (she/her) began her pole dancing journey in 2018 in Humboldt, California, and started teaching and performing in Maui, Hawaii in 2021. Nowadays,
she works full time as a botany/ecological consultant in the bay area and devotes the rest of her time to pole dance as well as dabbling in fire and flow arts. She enjoys trying pole classes everywhere she goes, setting up her stage pole or flying pole in nature, and of course, sharing her love and knowledge of pole dance as a teacher. Her laid back energy mixed with a dynamic, challenging curriculum seeks to get students stoked on what their creative and physical abilities and feeling connected as a class.

EM (she/her) began training pole in early 2016 and in the process of recovering from trauma, found pole classes to be the perfect combination of sensual gymnastic-style movement, music, flexibility, and community support to re-connect with her body and all its capabilities. 

Her fun, approachable, heart-lead classes aim to facilitate her students coming home to their physiology; incrementally gaining strength, flexibility and connection to their bodies and the present moment. She has devoted her life to creative expression in all its forms, and her experience working in strip clubs gives her a unique flair and accessibility as an instructor today. EM has studied under Maddie Sparkle, Michelle Shimmy, Carmine Black, Micah Walters and many more.

Jill's (she/her) obsession with dance took hold in 2018 when she discovered contact improvisation and sensual pole dance. She's participated in countless classes, living room dance sessions, workshops, and performances since that spark was lit, and is a certified Floor Flow® teacher through Marlo Fisken's Flow Movement. Jill believes in dance as a way cultivating creativity and confidence that should be fun and accessible for everyone.

Simona (she/her), a Czech native now residing in Capitola, is an Occupational Therapist serving Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. From an early age, Simona was captivated by acrobatics and fitness which led her to a youth cheerleading league. She then became a ‘flyer’ and progressed to competitive cheerleading into high school and college.

Her pole fitness journey began in 2012, marked by notable achievements including a 1st place win at the 2017 GGPC Entertainment L4 and a 2nd place at the 2016 PPC Entertainment L3. She also participated in multiple duet showcase performances. Simona excels at both static and spin pole and especially enjoys dynamic moves, flips, drops, and tumbles. Outside of pole, Simona has been exploring other aerial apparatuses such as hammock, rope, trapeze, and lyra.

Since Steel & Grace's opening in 2018, Simona has taught a variety of classes, from beginner to advanced. Known for her annual Holiday lights class and other themed sessions, Simona is passionate about helping her students unlock their potential and have fun in the process.