Our Team
Erin I’nama
Originally from Homer, Alaska, Erin began poling in December of 2015 while she was living in upstate New York. After moving back to Alaska, she received her pole instructor certification and opened the first fully dedicated pole studio in Alaska in 2017, Atalanta’s Aerialists. She rebranded the studio under the new name “Cathedral Pole and Dance” in 2023.
Erin holds pole certifications in XPERT 1 & 2, and dance certifications in Liquid Motion 1 & 2. She has competed in seven PSO competitions levels 1-4, and coached over 30 competitive routines. She has logged over 6,000 teaching hours in beginner to advanced pole tricks, with a specialty in modifying for all body types and abilities. Her teaching method is somatic, mentally calibrative, and prioritizes embodied movement.
Erin is a self-proclaimed geek and homebody, with a bachelors degree in 3D animation, a penchant for D&D, and an obsession with books, tea, and cats.
Breanna Taggart
Breanna Taggart began her pole journey in 2012. After coming across a video of a pole performance online, it was absolute love at first sight. Initially self taught, she began attending pole classes to improve her practice. She earned her certificate of instruction through the XPole Xpert teacher training program in July of 2015, following a deep passion to share with others the many health and wellness benefits pole dance has to offer, as well as it's unique, inclusive and supportive sense of community. She embraces the sensuality of pole and encourages and celebrates sensual movement. Throughout her career Breanna has attended and instructed at several studios within Alaska, self-directed and founded her own pole program, hosted a variety of in-state pole dance workshops and in November of 2017 debuted as a burlesque/pole performer with Pulse Dance Company's annual fundraising burlesque show, Gold Rush Girls, Alaska. She finds incredible inspiration in being able to share her love of pole through instruction, and hopes to encourage her students to find a means of self-expression and positive self-image through pole dance.
Taylor Koltes
Taylor started pole in September 2016 at Athena Vertical Dance in Tacoma, Wa. She was completely hooked the second she started. She loved the community and the sport. When she started pole the girls in her studio were getting ready for the Northwest Pole championship and she told herself that in one year she was going to compete. She moved to Anchorage, Alaska and found her new pole home at Atalanta’s Aerialists (now Cathedral) and registered for her first competition. Since then she has competed three times, and placed each time. She began teaching heels choreography in November of 2018 and is a complete dynamo on the floor and pole.
Outside of the studio she’s a full time operating room nurse. She’s also currently enrolled at the University of Alaska to finish her bachelors of science. When she’s not at work or school you can catch her playing with her fur baby, Koda, who is also often in the studio! She also enjoys hiking, snowboarding, painting, and listening to music. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family.
Dawn Jensen
Dawn was born in Alaska and naturally grew up with a healthy sense of adventure. In college she studied modern dance at the University of Alaska Anchorage and fell in love with the creative process of choreographing and performing. She originally started pole dance in 2016 as a way to build more body strength. Soon she discovered it also provided a creative space outside of the modern dance world. For several years her focus was on how to meld her love of modern dance with her new found pole obsession. As her confidence and style has developed, her movement with pole has shifted into a more sensual style. Focusing on core strength, floorwork, musicality and fluidity while in heels. When not in the studio, Dawn works as a full-time accountant and cherishes any moments she can spend with her dogs.
Jules
Jules (she/her) has been poling since the summer of 2015 (2011 if you count the one time poling on a party bus). She started pole after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and in 2019 earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Methodist University. Her style is eclectic, anywhere from dynamic power moves to dabbling in slow flow. Pole career achievements include competing in PSO Championship level 4, amateur showcases, and certification and licenses in Liquid Motion 1.0 and 2.0. At the end of all her classes, she hopes to light a fire within you to explore new pole moves and feel motivated/energized for more. She believes that pole is a very intense sport, but it is for everyone and every BODY.
Cathy DeBruyn
Cathy first started pole dancing in October of 2016 at Love Pole Fitness in Bellingham, MA. She was instantly hooked with her first attempt at a fairy spin. She learned from the wide variety of teaching styles there but ended up leaning more heavily into the strength- and trick- based style of pole. In 2018, she competed for the first time at PSO Northeast in the Level 3 Championship category, placing 6th and just happy to have not fallen down. In 2019, she moved to Anchorage, AK and found and fell in love with the studio here. She was able to take the Xpert Pole 1 Fitness Certification course that the studio hosted and began teaching at the studio in August of 2021. Between being both a student and a teacher, Cathy has become more in tune with her body's capabilities and limitations. One of the most important things she has learned through pole fitness is that every body is different - what works for some won't work for others. There is no pace that needs to be met, there are no milestones that should be reached at any particular time in a poling career. In her teaching she hopes to meet her students where they are and instill this same idea into them. In doing so, she hopes her students can gain the same strength and confidence and fall as deeply in love with the sport as she has.
Kjersti
Kjersti (pronounced shur-stee) has been a pole dancer and aerialist for over 7 years. She has always loved climbing things and hanging upside-down, so pole dance and silks quickly became favorite hobbies. Kjersti moved to Monterey, California mid-pandemic where she earned her Xpert pole certification and began teaching pole classes at Ms Tryss Boutique. Kjersti has a passion for movement and adventure, and her goal is to assist others in finding strength and confidence in their pole journeys.
Nix
Nix first started poling in 2019 right here at Cathedral! After years of competitive sports, including rock climbing, volleyball, and Ironman triathlons, she wanted to pursue pole as a challenging combination of climbing and dance. Nix's style is always developing, but focuses on strength-based tricks and flow. In 2022, Nix competed in the Championship category at PSO Seattle, and is excited to grow her pole portfolio at the studio, in competitions, and in future pole certifications. Nix's philosophy is that exercise and body movement can be challenging and fun at the same time. Her classes focus on growing skills and strength in a safe and expressive class, welcome to all body types and experiences.
Sarah Yelle
Sarah started her pole fitness journey in 2016 at Love Pole Fitness and Aerial Arts in Bellingham, Massachusetts. She began developing her skills, sometimes attending up to seven classes a week and participating in multiple student showcases. In 2018 she competed in PSO northeast.
In 2019 Sarah moved to Anchorage, Alaska where she started taking classes at our studio before completing the studio’s teaching certification course in 2022.
Pole has been extremely rewarding for Sarah, helping her connect with her body in ways she never thought she could. Pole has given her the confidence to know that she can be strong, sexy, capable and anything in between—all in one body. Through teaching, Sarah hopes to help others find the same confidence in their own bodies.
Lauren Roberts
Lauren started poling in the fall of 2021 at Atalanta's Aerialists. A long-time lover of dance and gymnastics, she quickly fell in love with pole fitness. Lauren loves how pole makes her feel strong and allows her to express her sensuality. She hopes to inspire students of all shapes and fitness levels to experience joy, safety, and empowerment through the art of pole dancing.
Rachel Rudeen
Rachel Rudeen
Rachel started poling in 2019. Her pole journey began in Southern California where she trained under a variety of spectacular instructors and in multiple studios. Having no dance background of any kind she fell in love with the art of pole. She competed in PSO Pacific 2022 Exotic level 2 and took 3rd place. Since then, she has moved from California to Alaska and contacted Cathedral almost immediately to continue her pole journey. With continuing to learn new skills herself, she also has a passion to teach and watch others advance in this wonderful world of dance.
She is honored and excited to be not only a student but an instructor at Cathedral!