Richmond Instructors

Louise Landers (manager)

Louise has been dancing for over 20 years, studying various dance styles including classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater and even aerial acrobatics at N.I.C.A. She has trained as an aerobics fitness instructor as well as working as a dance teacher in a range of styles for the last 9 years.
She has performed in many corporate and commercial dance performances, including a 2 year stint with the high profile Disney Events Company.

Louise has been a Pole Divas student for years and competed in Pole Divas' dance competition UNLEASHED taking out first place at each level, including winning the overall best performance in the December 2007 competition. Also in 2008 Louise competed in her first professional competition "Miss Pole Dance Victoria" placing 4th, from that she was very lucky to be able to also compete with the best of the best in "Miss Pole Dance Australia''.

Louise is now managing and teaching at the new Pole Divas Richmond Studio, and shows passion, strength, flexibility and the perfect personality to be a Pole Diva; a love of life and dance.

Anna Lemish

Anna brings to Pole Divas a diverse mix of choreographic influences, including hip hop, funk, street Latin and exotic dancing. She is testament to the benefits that pole dancing can bring you in terms of positive body image and self confidence. She has taken what was once simply a keen interest in pole dancing to greater heights, culminating in her inclusion in the Miss Pole Australia (Victorian Division) and winning the advanced section of Pole Divas Unleashed in July 2006.

"We want to help you unleash your inner diva", she says, and to that end she is dedicated to making her classes both cheeky and fun, to encourage new participants who perhaps thought that Pole Dancing was too challenging. Anna is the perfect instructor to disarm any hesitations that new participants might feel. Five minutes in her class and you too will be a pole dancing devotee!

Lulu Quill

Lulu has been a performer all her life. She recently danced up several poles in the USA & teaches at 3 of our Diva Studios. Lulu started out as a Prahran Pole Divas student, rising through the ranks to take out the Advanced Solo Unleashed competition & has also competed in the Miss Pole Victoria titles in 2008 & 2009. Lulu teaches beginner and intermediate levels and is also currently training in the flying trapeze.

Lulu has fantastic stage prowess, with a talent for dynamic tricks and making it all look seamlessly easy.On why she loves pole dancing; “it is the only sport where you look totally hot whilst sweating!”

Hollie Sheehan

Hollie is experienced in many forms of dance, and has competed at senior level in varying dance styles, from classical ballet to modern and funk. Stage experience and six years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and fitness instructor means that Hollie brings to Pole Divas a professional edge and strong choreographic skills. She regularly performs at pole divas events and has represented the studio at a state level.
In Hollie’s opinion, there is nothing more incredible than being on stage! Yet another graduate from Pole Divas Prahran, Hollie enjoys working with students…watching them develop their confidence, fitness and dexterity.

Hollies’ enthusiasm and sense of fun are infectious. Seeing the smiles on students’ faces as their skills develop is testament to her success as an instructor, and consolidates her position as a key member of the Pole Divas team.

Sarah George

Sarah worked as an exotic performer at all of Melbourne’s major men’s clubs for 3 years, quickly progressing to a stage performer and becoming a headline act at venues all across the country. She has held various titles such as Miss Nude Victoria, and appeared in magazines such as Ralph and Penthouse. Since retiring from exotic dancing, Sarah’s talents lead her to new ventures, appearing in various TV commercials, being MC at Sexpo, and most importantly becoming a mum to a beautiful baby girl Samsara.

Sarah has no professional dance training which leads her to believe that ANY woman can learn to move in a way that compliments her body and expresses her sensuality. Sarah loves teaching Pole Moves, choreographing shows and performing with the Pole Divas.

Bella D

Bella-d is an energetic, vibrant, spirited and cheeky performer and teacher alike. She has just come back from three years of teaching and performing in Canada where she was Podium Dancing and Belly Dancing. In addition to teaching and performing a unique twist of Belly Dance, she also teaches Old School and Modern Burlesque and another style formulated from her own hip hop inspiration. Her high energy influence comes from her love of performance and dance and years of Podium Dancing in nightclubs and for major events in Canada for DJs such as Jesse James, Team Canada, DJ Sneak, Jamie Vale, Roger Sanchez and Benny Benassi.

With a teaching and performance focus on including everyone and making people feel welcome and accepted, her energy and infectious positive vibe helps boost the self esteem of her students and everyone leaves with a smile on their face and sweat on their brow.

CHERIE FOOTE

Cheire comes from a family of dancers.  Both her parents were ballroom dance instructors and so even from a young age Cheire learnt an appreciation and respect for dance.  From ballet and jazz to gymnastics and even line dancing, there are not many styles she hasn't tried!  However, when she discovered pole dancing over 12 years ago, she realised her calling in life and her passion for pole has grown ever since.  Cherie maintains an executive sales career in sportswear whilst teaching at Pole Divas.  She has travelled across Australia with pole dancing, not to mention a 12 month visit to Japan.

This Pole Diva loves to see beginner students grow into confident pole dancers, as they progress through to the advanced stages of our courses.  Cherie prides herself on her encouraging manner whilst teaching, making sure she breaks down new tricks and guides each student through.  She'll help you kick start your addiction to pole dancing!

Stacey Mitchell

Stacey is a Pole Divas student turned instructor who has passed every level in both static and spin Pole Dancing classes. With a dance background in classical ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and hip hop Stacey lives life with a love of dance.
Stacey has a friendly, bubbly and energetic personality which makes her classes lively and exciting. Having previously taught classical ballet, Stacey loves the strength, agility and overall total fitness that Pole Dancing can provide.

Stacey says that the smiles and giggles, and watching the transformation of girls' confidence, bodies and fitness are the most rewarding aspect of being a Pole Divas Instructor.

giada caluzzi

School teacher by day, Pole Diva by night, Giada began Pole dancing in Wellington, New Zealand four years ago during a brief stay. Upon her return to Australia, she joined Pole Divas classes to satisfy her insatiable new passion for pole! Having worked her way through the ranks to complete our highest advanced level classes, she has been thrilled to become an instructor and combine her enjoyment of teaching with her love for pole.

Many hours spent in lecture halls completing both a BA and an MA in Linguistics and Education, have convinced her there’s no place better than up a pole! Keeping 25 teenagers focused on the finer points of English grammar during her day job provides Giada with plenty of ideas on how to keep pole classes friendly, engaging and fun!  As one of our newest Pole Divas, Giada is keen to show her students exactly why she’s Addicted to Pole!

Kennetta Hutchens (founder)

Kennetta was involved in the exotic dance industry for over 10 years. She gained a vast  knowledge of the industry, and has had the experience of dealing with and training literally hundreds of girls over the years. After this, she also became a qualified personal trainer.

Kennetta first entertained the idea of opening a pole and exotic dance school in 2000. It came from years of watching girls in the club perform, and seeing the transformation it made to their confidence and self esteem, as well as fitness and body shape. She recognized this awesome style of dance as an art form that should be shared with the everyday woman.

Kennetta opened the first Pole Divas studio in Prahran in 2004.  The studio was so successful a franchise model was quickly developed and the first franchise in Mornington was opened in 2006. A second studio opened in Prahran in 07 due to such high student demand.  Pole Divas has had a huge year in 2009 opening a second franchise in Moonee Ponds and second company owned studio in Richmond.