Bios
Jessalynn Medairy's Bio
All Locations
A 5-year veteran of the sport and art of pole dancing, when it comes to pole dancing, Jessalynn means business. She was placed in the ‘Top 12’ US Pole Dancers of 2009 and 2010; competed and placed as a finalist in the Bi-Polar and Polarity Competitions in the East Meets West Competitions of 2010; performed in the 2008 & 2009 Pole Unity Show in the UK; has taught international pole workshops and lessons; and was the October 2008 centerfold and spread for Pole2Pole Magazine. Jessalynn travels the world teaching workshops and classes and performs in competitions and feature shows. She has also judged multiple international pole dancing competitions. Since October 2008, Jessalynn has been seen in more than a dozen Pole2Pole Magazine issues. Jessalynn is a renowned pole dancing judge, an International and national performer and a world renowned pole dance instructor.
*Jessalynn is a USPDF (US Pole Dancing Federation) Pro-Status Winner and placed 4th in the US Pole Dancing Championship in 2010.
*Jessalynn is the owner of Pole Pressure and the organizer of the International Pole Convention.
Amanda Schmidt’s Bio
As a former gymnast and figure skater, Amanda has always believed that working out should be artistic and fun. Pole dancing became her passion after her first class when she discovered that it made her feel beautiful, sexy and powerful. As an instructor, Amanda hopes to give other women this same experience. When she’s not in the studio, Amanda is working on finishing her master’s degree in international affairs.
Crystal McLean
Washington, DC, and Cleveland Park
Crystal fell in love with pole dancing on Feb 14, 2009; she wanted to find a way to work out and have fun at the same time. Crystal was introduced to the world of pole fitness by a friend, and Crystal says it has stuck with her ever since. pole dancing gives you confidence and boosts your self-esteem. She truly loves what she does and loves feeling sexy at the same time. When it comes to being an instructor, Crystal hopes to give women the same confidence pole fitness has given her. She currently owns her own mobile massage company and is also working towards finishing her degree at Old Dominion University.
Karri Telford
Leesburg, VA
Karri’s background is in group fitness as a certified ACE Group Fitness Instructor. She has taught a multitude of different class formats in fitness centers across the Northern Virginia region. Karri was introduced to pole fitness 3 years ago and quickly became addicted. She has been teaching pole fitness for over a year and recently opened her own pole fitness studio - Pole Pressure of Leesburg. The thing Karri loves most about pole fitness is the confidence gained from reaching new levels of strength and endurance, as well as the artistic expression.
Rebecca Straszheim
Cleveland Park
Rebecca first started pole dancing in 2006 and fell in love with the sport. The intensity and non-monotonous nature of the workout, as well as the pole dancing community that surrounds it had her hooked at first spin. After moving to the Northern Virginia area in 2008, she took a year off of pole dancing but reconnected with the sport in the fall of 2009 with the opening of Pole Pressure. Pole dancing and its fun but challenging workouts have helped her shed over 40 pounds! She hopes to share the joy of learning how to spin, climb, and flip around the pole with all her clients - as well as victory of a toned, flexible, powerful body that comes as a result of it.
Alaina Law
Washington, DC
While visiting the DC area during college Alaina was first introduced to the world of pole fitness. As a former athlete she loved the idea of working out in a non-traditional way. She eventually joined a pole fitness studio in Charlotte, NC in 2005. Upon moving to DC she resumed classes eventually finding her home studio at Pole Pressure and has been taking classes ever since. When the opportunity arose, she jumped at the chance to teach. As an instructor, Alaina hopes to share her passion for pole fitness with those who are looking to workout outside the box and on the pole, chair or floor. Alaina holds a degree in Agricultural Mechanization and Business Engineering from Clemson University and currently works for a nonprofit engineering organization. She is also pursuing her certification in Culinary Arts.
Bobbie
Downtown DC Location
Bobbie started taking classes at Pole Pressure in June of 2010. Once she started she could not stop, Bobbie found herself in the studio 3 times a week and attending all the Pole Pressure events. Bobbie became an instructor in February of 2011 and preformed with the Pole Pressure dance troupe at the International Pole Convention in West Palm Beach Florida in 2011. When Bobbie is not in the studio she enjoys spending time with her 3 bunny-rabbits and designing jewelry.
Joanna Chin
Downtown DC Location
Joanna has always enjoyed pushing and challenging herself with new forms of fitness, so it is unsurprising that she’s completely addicted to pole dancing. She loves the constant thrill of learning and sharing new tricks bolstered by the camaraderie in the pole dancing community. Although she enjoys spinning (on a bike), yoga, and running, she finds that no other hour of exercise passes by as quickly as when she’s working up a sweat around the pole. Since starting at the Pole Pressure studio, she’s been astounded by the increase in her strength and flexibility, as well as her confidence in and awareness of her body. As an instructor, she hopes to share her passion for pole fitness and help her students have fun while exceeding their expectations. Because, unfortunately, she can't spend all her time dancing, she works for a nonprofit supporting artists and arts organizations that strengthen civic engagement and progress towards social change.
Kellee Charles
Downtown DC Location
Wanelle Kellee Charles known as Kellee is a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor since 2006 by the Ashtanga Yoga Center. She was inspired to share and teach the benefits of yoga and a healthy life style with others based on her teachers and her own experience. Kellee has training in pre-natal yoga, Thai yoga therapy, budokon and anti-gravity yoga. Kellee's yoga classes incorporate hatha, vinyasa and ashtanga. She started pole dancing the ending of 2010 and now cannot seem to live without it. Kellee bring a strong passion to the practice. Be prepared to be push to your next level.
Erin Cunningham
Downtown DC Location
Erin began poling in 2009 when she took a class out of curiosity and was amazed at how sexy she felt in class - and how sore her muscles were the next day! A life-long dancer, Erin sought fitness classes that let her move and groove to great music while getting a work out. Erin loves how pole sculpts and strengthens her body while feeling beautiful and having fun, as well as the challenge of learning something new and accomplishing her pole goals. Erin is also a proud member of the pole troupe and loves showing the public what pole fitness is about! When not poling, Erin works as an analyst at a nonprofit to prevent crimes against children and holds her Masters in Forensic Psychology.