ABOUT THE STUDIO
We are a fully-dedicated pole and dance studio with a primary emphasis on supporting, encouraging, uplifting and empowering students to find their inner and outer strength, beauty and uniqueness through the art of pole, dance and authentic movement. More than just fitness, we are creating a community that supports personal development and an awe of what our bodies are capable of in a safe, welcoming and beautifully appointed space where we offer all elements of the art of pole.
Your premier pole studio in Santa Cruz, California
2801 Mission Street Extension
Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060
"There could not be a more safe wonderful positive encouraging freeing environment than the one you have created. Your classes are a place to truly liberate, heal, and feel."
"Dancing with you has helped me so much in my daily life. I feel more empowered and confident now! I remember how awkward, shy and uncomfortable I used to feel in my body and that is totally gone. Thank you!"
I am thankful for Steel (strength of slow motion, observation & awarenesses) combined with Grace (gracious self-compassion & acceptance). You have been a gift that keeps on giving. My perspective of myself is being healed.
Just wanted to say thank you so much for enabling me to find a more confident me.
I hadn’t really noticed too much until Over this holiday 2 week. I have noticed a change in me and I like it and I’m happy for the first time in a long time and I’m happy because of me and the changes in me.
At Steel & Grace, our instructors are the heartbeat of our studio, bringing not only their expertise but also their passion and personal flair to every class. Each instructor is carefully chosen for their skill, dedication, and, most importantly, their ability to connect and communicate with students of all levels. From nurturing beginners to challenging advanced pole artists, our instructors ensure a supportive, empowering environment. Their diverse backgrounds contribute to a rich, inclusive culture where every movement and class is an opportunity for growth and self-expression.
Meet our Instructors
the steel & grace team
Ellice Apostolos (she/her), founder and owner of Steel & Grace, Santa Cruz's premier pole dance studio, empowers students to connect deeply with their body's wisdom and express their full radiance. As a certified S Factor instructor, Ellice specializes in transformative classes, coaching programs, and workshops that evolve from personal erotic movement exploration into sustainable practices enriching all life areas. She also supports women entrepreneurs and professionals in achieving their desires through online programs and private coaching, blending body wisdom with a refined feminine business approach.
Ellice Apostolos
FOUNDER & OWNER
LEAD S FACTOR INSTRUCTOR
Ellice holds a degree in Theatre and Dance from UC Santa Cruz, and has been a prominent figure in the local performing arts scene for nearly two decades. She excels in choreographing and directing original pieces, helping dancers perfect their performance skills to convey their messages powerfully. Passionate about somatic healing and sensual movement, Ellice’s classes invite women to eradicate shame and self-judgment, embracing pleasure, confidence, and emotional expression through dance.
Additionally, as a Board-certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Ellice integrates nutrition education into her teachings, promoting a healthy, thriving body that supports all life's demands.
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.
Marli
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Pole & SPIN POLE
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.
Amber
S Factor, S Pole, Beginner/intermediate pole
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.
Jill
FLUID FLOORWORK
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.
Dizzy Stardust
POLE/HEELS CHOREOGRAPHY & beginner/intermediate Pole & QUEER POLE JAMS
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.
Kethry
Beginner/intermediate Pole
queer pole jams
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.
EM
flexibility, strength conditioning, beginning Pole
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.
Simona
beginning to advanced POLE
We are a fragrance free space. Please refrain from wearing perfumes and scented body products to class.
5 Passes must be used within 2 months of purchase date.
Pass extensions will be made only for medical reasons with doctors note.
Reservations are required to guarantee your spot in class. Walk-ins are welcome if space permits.
Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to join the class. This is for your safety!
If cancelling your class reservation, please do so at least 8 hours prior. Any cancelations made within the 8 hour window may result in a late cancel fee.
Photography is allowed at the end of class only. Please be respectful of your classmates and request they move from photo frame or get their permission if you plan to share images with friends or on social media.
Please refer to our FAQS page HERE for safety and class requirements.