Our team.
Keyona (Owner, Head Instructor, Registered Dietitian)
Keyona fell in love with the art and sport of pole dancing in 2011 and has been teaching pole the past six and a half years. Fitness has always been an important part of Keyona's life with her background including years of playing soccer, teaching learn to swim lessons and joining in any other activity that got her moving. After a serious back injury in her early teen years, Keyona wasn't sure if she would ever be able to participate regularly in fitness activities, however, found that pole was the one sport that helped her strengthen her core & back, decrease her pain and allowed her to get back to a life full of movement!
Not only does Keyona love supporting those around her to rebuild their relationship with movement, she also loves food and has surrounded herself with a profession that lets her talk about food on a daily basis. Keyona has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, majoring in Nutrition and minoring in physical activity. Her primary focus is on mental health, recreating positive relationships with food and assisting clients with chronic diseases improve their nutritional wellbeing. Her goal with Red Deer Pole Academy is to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive learning environment for individuals of all sizes, ages and fitness experience where self expression is accepted and individuals are safe to be creatively challenged. She also hopes to increase access to and awareness of Registered Dietitians and support clients on their journey to recreating positive relationships with their body through food and movement.
Titles and Certifications:
Bachelor of Science - Major in Nutrition, Minor in Physical Activity
XPERT Certified Pole Fitness Instructor
Deflying Fitness Handstands Certification
Deflying Fitness Flexibility Level 1 Certification
2018 PSO Northwest Pole Championship Level 4 2nd Runner Up
2018 PSO Northwest Pole Low Flow & Floorwork Level 4/5 1st Runner Up
2016 North American Pole Dance Semi-Pro 2nd Runner Up
2015 Alberta Pole Fitness Amateur 1st Runner Up
2015 Canadian Pole Fitness Amateur Finalist
James - (Owner, Handyman, Master of the Custodial Arts)
Despite what this photo may seem, it was never James' childhood dream to open and own a pole fitness studio.
That all changed when he met his wife, Keyona, and saw just how important pole was to her and the friendships/community created through the sport. Although James isn't living out a dream of being a pole star, you may catch a glimpse of him at the studio/studio events, pole competitions or even participating in the occasional pole date night.
James' background comprises of multiple sports(basketball, soccer, football), attending and facilitating entrepreneur camp and various other jobs over the years (including custodial service and a summer of construction). We like to consider him our (legal) resident drug dealer as he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 2016 and is currently working as a pharmacist/pharmacy manager.
His role at the studio includes assisting with the day to day activities, acting as studio handyman and is considered our master of the custodial arts. When he's not working, you can find James renovating their house, playing video games or learning a piece on the piano.
Avery - ( Instructor)
Avery has always loved to move, dancing recreationally for 14 years. She discovered the pole and aerial world when she moved to Saskatoon to take Chemical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. Pole classes were an opportunity to express herself, gain strength, have fun and have some much-needed stress relief; they also acted as a family outing as two of her cousins are instructors. Avery has had the opportunity to take pole classes and workshops at four different studios in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with top pole dancers such as Tiffany Rose and Crystal Belcher. She’s been poling for 6 years now and has also taken aerial pole, hoop, silks, hammock, and cube during that time. Her favorite style of pole is a toss up between lyrical or slow and sensual depending on the day.
Avery’s favorite part about pole is seeing the strength and self confidence that it gives people and watching them progress and grow more comfortable with themselves. “Pole is such a supportive environment where you are encouraged to be your best, and accomplishments are celebrated whether it be learning to point your toes or cheered on as you finally nail your nemesis move!”
Jessica - (Instructor, Registered Dietitian)
Jessica started her dance training early on in her small hometown. After 9 years Jessica left for the University of Calgary where she participated in dance classes from the University's dance program, the University of Calgary's Ballroom dance club, as well as Alberta DanceSport where she received 3rd place with her partner in the 2010 Calgary International Salsa Congress! Jessica continued to follow her dance bug and moved to Vancouver where she trained and danced with Blue Egg Entertainment in Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz. She later took her dance bug to Costa Rica where she opened a dance studio for 2 months and taught Ballet and Jazz classes to children of ages three to adult.
Jessica continued her dance training in Edmonton, where she started her Pole Fitness journey, and fell in love with the art and sport of Pole! After 3 years of training, Jessica moved to Red Deer where she had the amazing opportunity to be instructed by, now co-owner of RDPA, Keyona. Jessica recently became an XPERT certified Pole Fitness Instructor, and is also a Registered Dietitian with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science majoring in Nutrition. Jessica shares the same goals as co-owner Keyona, in that she values supporting clients in recreating positive relationships with their bodies and food.
With Jessica’s welcoming and supportive personality, and her passion for dance and pole shining through with all that she accomplishes, she is thrilled to be starting at Red Deer Pole Academy!
Titles and Certifications:
Bachelor of Science - Major in Nutrition
XPERT Certified Pole Fitness Instructor
Kaiyi - (Instructor)
Kaiyi has always loved being active and trying new things (included starting pole fitness classes almost 2 years ago)! She really didn't know what to expect when she took her first pole class but something about the sport just kept her coming back. She enjoys the challenge of learning new skills and transitions and how welcoming and supportive the pole community is. Kaiyi hopes to continue sharing her love of the sport now as an instructor.
Kaiyi grew up figure skating competitively which included countless dance classes and hours in the gym. Afterwards, she coached skating and studied kinesiology and physiology in her undergrad. Now, she can be found at the gym, pole dancing, running, practicing yoga, attending a dance class, climbing aerial silks, rock climbing, and anything else that keeps her moving!