"You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it in himself.- Galileo Galilei": Spotlight on Kori and Tia

This week you get to meet two of the instructors at Brass Vixens. Tia and Kori are two of the nicest, most supportive and gorgeous (inside and out) women that I know. In the beginning, they were two huge reasons that I kept coming back and were instrumental in building my confidence in my pole and myself. They will never know (well, they kinda do now) how much of an impact they've had on my life. I love them to bits and very touched by the stories below. 

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"The musician has the most brothers, and the dancer the most sisters- Alexandra Chauran": Kori's Story

There are many similarities between my story and those of the other women of Brass Vixens. Perhaps that's largely responsible for the wonderful camaraderie I experience!



At the time I discovered Brass Vixens, I was intent on finding an exciting and motivating way to get back into shape. I grew up dancing and received my formal education in the fine and performing arts. A chain of events led me to stop performing and turn my focus to art and shoe design. Needless to say, the lack of physical activity from long hours sitting at my desk drawing and designing, combined with my husband's culinary feats resulted in me becoming significantly out of shape! The prolonged absence of physical exertion and expression in my life also left me not a little depressed. Though I have never subscribed to one image of health and beauty, I no longer felt like myself.


Then, one fateful afternoon, walking along Queen Street West, I came upon the Brass Vixens sandwich board. They were offering a fantastic deal on drop in classes. I had been intrigued by pole dancing for some time so I convinced a friend to sign up with me. I was immediately addicted after my first class with Holly Weston! I had been seeking a fresh start and to find a physical discipline I hadn't experienced before and that would therefore carry no preconceived notions or the threat of comparison between my current and previous selves. Pole dancing was it!!

Sassy pole sit.

What kept me returning to Brass Vixens and pole dancing after that introductory class were the results I saw and felt in myself; not only physically but emotionally as well. I experienced a restored sense of confidence and possibility. My body remembered the joy and pleasure of dancing and physical challenge. I felt and continue to feel elated whenever I am pole dancing. The joy is in the journey.

Kori and her fellow instructors (l-r): Tia, Dawn and Kori.

Of course, a vital element in my dedication to Brass Vixens was and is the people; fellow students, staff and instructors. It is a vibrant, diverse, sincere and celebratory community. I have met so many talented, intelligent, capable, strong and inspiring women... and men too! I loved it so much I began working at the studios as an administrator! I wanted to contribute to something that came to mean so much to me and increased my joie de vivre!

First pole performance!

Now, as an instructor, it is an honour for me to be teaching students and hopefully providing them with the same affirming and quality experience I had. It is a privilege to witness their transformations and achievements and to share their joy and pride in all they accomplish. I've had many proud moments since joining the Brass Vixens family. As a student, it was completing my first class and then the first time I inverted. It took a lot of determination to get this booty up over my head!!
As an instructor, it is every time I see a student perfect a move they never imagined they would be able to do. The sparkle I see in their eyes at such a moment is beautiful and priceless. I'm profoundly grateful to share in these successes everyday. They encourage help keep me motivated on my own journey. None of us would be continuing to pole dance if it wasn't for our love of it and that's the common denominator and equalizer for the women of Brass Vixens.

Brass Vixens Float for WorldPride 2014 in Toronto. Kori's on it!

Truly, stopping to read that sandwich board and then having the nerve to attend classes was one of the best things I ever did! It changed my life and brought me into contact with many amazing people.

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"Dance is the hidden language of the soul- Martha Graham": Tia's Story

I wanted to start pole dancing years ago. I remember watching Jenyne Butterfly's pole routine to 'Dog Days are Over' (by Florence and the Machine) and thinking, "This is incredible!" I have been dancing for roughly 21 years and teaching for close to 11 years. Growing up in a competitive dance atmosphere had its ups and downs. I was never the "best" dancer and I was never shown favouritism. In fact, sometimes I felt like I was just never good enough. Well, I let people make me feel like I was just never good enough.

NYC Dance Summit a few years ago: 'I dance whenever I want, wherever I want'.

Dance has always been a huge part of my life. I am positive I was born dancing out of my mother's womb. I love performing and teaching. I believe that you can't live life without some kind of inspiration. When I'm dancing, whether it be in the studio or on a stage, everything else in life vanishes. It's just me and the music.

I joined Brass Vixens over a year ago because of the previously mentioned video. But I joined Brass Vixens well over a year after watching that. I was in a long term relationship and the man I was dating gave me an ultimatum- it was him or pole dancing. I remember being in that relationship and not being able to do or be who I wanted to be. I wasn't allowed to be sexy or show people that I was. Him, and a number of other people thought pole dancing was 'slutty'. I always saw it as an art. I believe being sexy is an art in itself. Safe to say, I grew up and found my self worth and realized that if I can't be in a relationship where someone supports what I love and takes me for who I am, then I would rather be single. Fortunately, I am now in a relationship with the most supportive man I have ever met.

Tia and Dawn!

I  have never been in a studio that is so positive, supportive and encouraging. I owe everything to Brass Vixens. Dawn, my teacher, mentor and friend has given me all the confidence I always pretended to have but really didn't. I would not be where I am today without her love, guidance and support. You will never know how much I love and respect you for all you do, Dawn!

I am so thankful that Shannon (the owner) and Dawn (teacher and boss lady) have given me the opportunity to start teaching there.

Tia and some of her students celebrating the success of the first Pole Performance Night featuring troupes of her students :).

I must say, as much as I love pole dancing, and dancing in general, what inspires me most are the students. Watching students progress technically makes me happy but watching their confidence grow and how strong they become emotionally means the world to me. I live to be inspired and inspire those around me. Knowing that I have inspired other women to be strong and confident really makes me feel like I am doing something right. I would be nothing but empty without the students I teach.

Pole dancing is my world right now. It is because of Brass Vixens that I am not afraid to be sexy. Even if I wanted to get down and dirty on the pole, so what? Dancing how you want to dance does not define who you are; though in my case, I feel that dancing in general is the definition of ME. It is an outlet of expression and expression is healthy. Expression is life. When I'm on the pole- dancing, spinning, climbing, inverting- I feel free.

Knowing I have built the physical strength to do what I am able to do now and knowing that I am capable of making people see the worth in themselves when I teach, well, I feel like a superhero.

I love Brass Vixens and all of the inspirational teachers and students I have met on this journey.