Our primary goal at Catalyst is to bring out your inner dancer and facilitate your belief in your own movement. All instructors are regarded and respected in the pole fitness and dance community.

David C. Owen​

Co-Founder & Instructor

David C Owen began pole dancing in 2009 and began to compete and showcase nationally within less than a year of his initial exposure to pole. He earned several competition medals in the early US competitive pole dancing circuit. Having had studio residencies in multiple cities and spent years touring to guest instruct at countless studios in the US and internationally, David has been instrumental industry-wide in improving the quality of flexibility training, creative combination construction, and explaining the applied physics of how specific pole skills work. He now enjoys teaching pole dancing ranging from introductory classes for persons with no exercise experience, to choreographing competitive routines for other dancers on national stages. He is pleased to be based in Chicago to share his experience at Catalyst Movement Arts, where he continues to grow as a technician and artist.

Rachele Ribera

Instructor

Rachele began pole dancing in 2011 and earned the title of Miss Pole Dance Oklahoma in 2013. Noted by United Pole Artists for her "ethereally beautiful pirouettes, glides, twirls" and "unbeatable footwork" she is known for having refined and cultivated the art of dancing in heels. She continues taking part in competitions, performing, and has traveled the country, as well as internationally, sharing her knowledge and helping to lay the foundation for safe, elegant, and strong heel-based pole movement

Margot​

Instructor

Having a love of fitness and movement all her life Margot has continually participated in activities from gymnastics to karate to barre. In 2007, she took a pole dancing class and has been hooked ever since. Wanting to share her love of pole with students, she underwent an extensive (100+ hrs) local pole teacher training course in 2016 and went on to take Discoveries Dance pole training course in 2017. Her relaxed style will put you at ease as well as strengthen your abs. 

She is a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and is CPR-AED Certified. 

Felicia Sun​

Instructor

Felicia first found pole dance her Senior year at Harvard University. As a Varsity fencer with a strong background in rowing and lifting and absolutely no dance experience, she takes joy in guiding students who are new to combining sport and art. As a second-year medical student looking into OBGYN, Felicia aims to keeping women healthy both through her dance practice and her future medical practice. Her medical and sports background gives her strong technical cues and a refined understanding of the mechanics necessary for tailored fitness instruction for all levels. Her encouraging and high-energy teaching style is sure to have you feeling motivated and revitalized. Accolades include: Winner University of Illinois College of Medicine Talent Show 2017, Silver Medalist at Central Pole Champsionships Level 4 2017, Runner Up at Northeast Pole Championships Level 4 2016.

Elena

Instructor

Movement and sport has been an intrinsic part of Elena's life since a very young age. She did ballet and various disciplines of dance, and received her degree in fine arts in 2006. Soon after, Elena was introduced to pole dancing and started teaching in 2009. 
Elena has been teaching a variety of pole, flexibility, and dance classes for over 10 years and there hasn't been a day when she was not grateful to be a part of the Pole community! 

Tana Karo, aka “Tank”

Instructor

Tank is a professional circus artist and trainer who has a wealth of knowledge in the arts industry. Creator and owner of Acrobatica Infiniti Circus, Tank has been working within the circus industry for over ten years. With a background in classical dance and fashion design, she also holds a Bachelors in Circus Arts from the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) and Fashion Design from SAIC. She produces all of the AI shows (and most costumes) which are held at theaters, special events, and conventions. The original concept of the AI Circus Project stems from her personal vision to combine geek culture and her love for the circus.
As a performer herself, Tank is experienced in the art of dance trapeze, foot juggling, and fire eating. She’s previously performed and been featured with the Tasmanian Circus Festival, Melbourne Circus Festival, both the Amsterdam and London Burlesque Festival, Chicago El Circo Cheapo Cabaret, Seattle Moisture Festival, and has headlined for cruise liners such as P&O Australia, and Carnival Cruises.