All instructors at Cherry Blossom Studio are certified in CPR, First Aid, AED and all adhere by the guidelines of their profession.
Andrea Harper
Owner/Pole Dancing Instructor
Andrea learned pole dancing while living in New York City and has taken advanced workshops with some of the industry’s top professionals such as Jenyne Butterfly, Alethea Austin(US Pole Dance Federation Champion 2010) , Karol Helms (USPDF Miss Sexy 2010), Marlo Fisken, Emil Valentino and Josiah “Bad Azz” Grant. She has been pole dancing for fitness, for over 6 years and Instructing since 2008. In September 2010 Andrea competed in Miss Pole Dance Canada and is one of Canada’s top 16 pole dancers! Andrea is a Certified Personal Trainer Specialist since 2008, Certified Nutrition and Wellness Specialist since 2009 with Can-Fit-Pro and is a Certified Pole Fitness Instructor with PFIC. Andrea’s Pole Dancing experience and Personal Training experience helped her realize her dream of opening Cherry Blossom Pole Dancing Studio. She received her Creative Arts Degree from Ottawa School of Art. Her inspirations for creative pole performances are evident through her artistic personality and professional background. Andrea has designed Cherry Blossom Pole Dancing Studio as a place for women to let their bodies bloom!
Christiane Laperriere
Pole Dancing Instructor (Bilingual)
Christiane has 20 years dance experience in Jazz, Modern Dance, Ballet, tap dancing and Hip Hop. She has competed at provincial level in Jazz and Modern Dance has been recognized for her performing achievements. She is also an avid runner completing her first marathon in 2011 and is also a Certified Fitness Instructor Specialist with Can-Fit Pro.Christiane started pole dancing in the summer 2009 and immediately fell in love with this new form of dance.
Krista Dicks
Pole Dancing Instructor
Krista has been pole dancing for fitness since 2009 under the instruction of Andrea Harper. She loves the challenge of pole fitness and the element of dance to express herself. She has also participated in professional workshops with Crystal Lai (Miss Pole Dance Canada 2010) and Shanyn Pollard ( Miss Pole Dance Canada 2011 and Best Tricks). Krista is a certified Pilates Instructor and a Certified pole fitness Instructor with PFIC Canada. Krista is also a Model in Ottawa and has appeared on the runway, and in gallery showcases for Ottawa and Montreal projects.
Vanessa Marshall
Pole Dancing Instructor
Vanessa fell in love with the balance, strength and grace that pole fitness brings to her life since 2009. She began intensively practicing and learning from some of the best teachers such as Andrea Harper, Shanyn Pollard and Miss Sexy 2010 Karol Helmes. Vanessa is a certified Pole Fitness Instructor with PFIC Canada and has a personal training background. She has taught a wide variety of classes from pole fitness, full body sculpting, core conditioning to cardio bootcamps. When she is not on the pole or teaching fitness, she enjoys long distance running, practicing yoga and learning martial arts. Her goal is to help and inspire everyone to develop a love for fitness and health through pole fitness and have a lot of fun at the same time!
Livia Tais Pellerin
Aerial Silks Instructor
Livia has a varied background ranging from ballet, contemporary, capoeira, samba, aerial silks and bgirling (break dancing). She began teaching in 1999 after taking a teacher training course in ballet. Stepping away from ballet to study more contemporary styles, Livia expanded her teaching skills as she developed as a dancer. She later developed the Brazilian Funk class, a fusion of capoeira, samba and afro-brazilian styles which she taught at various studios in Montreal.
Livia has a minor in Psychology and completed a B.F.A in Contemporary Dance to deepen her knowledge of dance and choreography . Since then, she has performed with several companies including Cirque du Soleil, Solid State, Kondition Pluriel, Wants&Needs, Insolita and Destins Croisés. Dance has taken her across Canada, the US, Europe and South America. In 2007, she had the privilege to perform for the London BSupreme Festival of Women in Hip Hop which showcased artists from across the globe who represented all styles of Hip Hop. Livia has taught dance and capoeira to students of all ages. In fact, she is currently teaching Hip Hop and breakdancing in various schools in the Ottawa-Carleton district with Luv2Gruv. In addition, she has given worshops to dance companies and will be working as a rehearsal director and stage manager for the Bboyizm dance company for their upcoming show at the N.A.C in June.
Stacey Martin
Stacey has been working in the dance industry for over 15 years. Some of her work includes dancing in Hairspray, The year of the Lion, Honey with Jessica Alba,Sacrifice with Cuba Gooding JR and Christian Slater, Paula Abdul’s ESPN Video, Gap & Nike commercials and has been a featured dancer “Shirley” on Broadway for Saturday Night Fever. She has also taught many dance classes and workshops from NYC to LA. Stacey’s dance training includes Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rythmic, Belly Dancing, Certified Pilates Instructor and of course Pole Dancing. Stacey is also owner and designer of Kania a luxury street style clothing line created to truly embrace the needs of today’s women.
