ABOUT US
Meet Your Instructors
Des
With a passion for movement and self expression, Des began her movement journey in 2015, earning a 200-hour RYT certification the same year she completed her RN degree. She discovered aerial arts in 2017, training and performing with local circus groups. After moving back to Denver in 2019, she fell in love with pole dancing, trained with world-class athletes, and completed a pole teacher apprenticeship at Tease Studio.
In 2023, she won an online pole competition, further showcasing her passion for movement and creativity. With a foundation in movement safety, proper form, and injury prevention, she is dedicated to helping students build confidence, strength, and fluidity in their pole practice.
Devin
Devin's diverse background blends arts and athletics. From a young age, she immersed herself in dance, music, and sports, excelling in local competitions and performances. As a college athlete, her interests expanded to vocal performance, theater, and fitness. She earned a degree in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science while coaching track and field. Throughout her career journey, Devin has rekindled her love for dance, particularly through burlesque and pole dancing which she discovered in the heat of the pandemic. At first, pole was a new way to challenge herself and work towards upper body strength. But after a few classes, Devin discovered a new side of herself and sensuality that she'd lost. She found pole as a way to feed her soul as the athletic and creatively driven woman and performer that she is. She rediscovered herself through pole and loves all aspects of it, from the athleticism, the sexy lure, and all the things in between.
Beyond the arts, she finds joy in paddle boarding, mountain biking, and sharing her love of movement through classes and workshops in Durango.
Maddalena
I found pole dancing after a rough decade filled with tremendous loss, divorce and birthing 2 children. Pole brought me hope and strength when I had none. Pole reminded me of my sensuousness and playfulness when I had forgot. Pole was a safe place for my raw anger to transform into something beautiful. in addition to my passion for pole i’m excited to bring Alixa FLEXIBILITY training to durango. as an alixa certified teacher we practice safe ACCESSIBLE contortion flexibility for all bodies.
Saydee
Pole was Saydee’s gateway to fall in love with dance, and now movement through music is everything to her. What enchanted her most about pole dancing is the intersection of strength and fluidity, both crucial aspects to the art. Saydee loves low flow slinky movements and unique shapes, playing with edge work, drippy detail and melting transitions. In her classes she hopes to highlight attention to detail and bring tecnique to fluid movements, as well as leaving space for students to discover their own style and feel their own way through movement. After training primarily at home for years, Saydee is beyond excited to be have the Durango Pole Studio as a gathering place for community, art, sensuality, giggles and booty shaking!!
LaLa
With over a decade of experience in aerial dance, Lala discovered pole dance as a natural progression from her aerial background. Her journey began with aerial silks and other apparatuses, where she developed a deep passion for movement, fluidity, and the empowerment that comes from mastering one's body.
When she found pole dance, it felt like the perfect fusion of strength, grace, and creativity. Since then, Lala has dedicated herself to sharing her love for pole dance with others, particularly those new to the art. She takes great pride in supporting students as they explore their potential and build confidence, both in the studio and in life.
Whether working with beginners or more advanced dancers, Lala creates a supportive and encouraging environment for her students. Her teaching style emphasizes proper technique, strength building, and creative expression, helping each student feel empowered and proud of their progress.
Macie
I'm Macie (she/her), the owner of Santa Fe Pole Arts. I'm also an instructor specializing in pole tricks, flow, flexibility, conditioning, and choreography. Prior to pole, I was a competitive and classically trained dancer, and I have over 9 years experience in teaching dance and tumbling. I'm X-Pert pole certified and continue to train under leading industry professionals, my coaches and mentors being Pole Kitten, Meg the Supernova, and JonnyBoi. I also compete at the professional level and provide competition coaching. I continuously expand my expertise through specialized coursework for pole instructors covering anatomy, biomechanics, movement assessment, exercise science, injuries, and pregnancy and postpartum. My instructing philosophy is centered upon providing students with the knowledge to safely perform skills while encouraging them to embrace their unique style of movement. @desert.dancer
We are so Lucky to have Macie work with our studio! She will be coming up to Durango the fourth Wednesday of every month starting January 28th
