About Us

Here at the Brassy Butterfly, we offer alternative forms of dance for people interested in fitness and creative movement. We are currently offering classes in Amateur and Industry Pole Dancing, Sexy Strength (a pole and pilates mix), and Burlesque! Some classes are designed mainly for women, but men may be allowed with the permission of the instructor. We emphasize that most of our classes are crafted for enthusiasts of all types, and are not simply for those in the industry. All classes are taught by experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of pole training techniques, proper safety precautions, and exercises to increase strength and flexibility.

We have a large, fully mirrored dance space featuring five removable poles and hardwood floors. The poles, reaching nearly fifteen feet, are high grade stainless steel tubing coated with a special translucent top-coat to provide maximum grip.

Our Instructors:

 
Áine


“I am 33 years old, and a native Oregonian. I have a strong background in gymnastics, having trained in it for 11 years, in addition to many years of experience with weight-lifting and fitness training. I have been practicing pole acrobatics for over 12 years now, in venues ranging from nationally recognized clubs, such as the Acropolis and Dante's, to private party performances. I am currently attending graduate school in Eugene, so the classes I teach in Portland will be limited to occasional workshops and private lessons. However, I will soon be establishing a Brassy Butterfly amateur pole class in the Eugene area, in order to satisfy my need to have a pole in my life."

Freya


Freya has a deep love and passion for dance, music, and all movement. Her background includes tap, ballet, jazz, and even couples country dancing, in which she was a very successful competitor. She found pole dancing and was instantly fascinated with how it transformed her body, emotions, and even her soul. She discovered a new respect for herself, and confidence in her body, and has a strong desire to share this with all who enter her class. In addition, Freya is a certified Pilates instructor, and uses her understanding of muscular structure to help and encourage each individual in accomplishing their goals, as well as to learn to love and work with their own strengths and limitations. Freya is well-known and loved for her ability to ensure that each student leaves her class feeling sexy, beautiful and confident, and able to carry that into each endeavor of their life.

Coco

Coco has been a dancer and a Pilates practitioner for over ten years. She specializes in vintage jazz, Charleston, Lindy Hop, and burlesque forms of movement. She has been featured on TV and in made-for-cable movies and features, and performed as a Charleston dancer with the Patootie Pies of Portland, OR. Prior to the birth of her son, she competed in several competitions, winning or placing in many of them. When she dances, she loves to have fun and she smiles a lot, making her a favorite of choreographers and audiences. As an instructor, she encourages her students to develop body awareness, strength, grace and pride in the female form. Coco holds an MA in Psychology, and BAs in both English and Psychology. In addition to dance, she is a well-regarded designer jeweler and sells her work across the United States. Whenever she has free time, she spends much of it playing and hanging out with her husband and her son.

Sonny

"Two years ago. I was bribed into taking my first pole dancing class, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Although I’m a school teacher and busy mother of three, I’ve found that making myself a priority is the key to sanity, and recreational pole dancing has allowed me to do just that. As a non-industry dancer and a born klutz, I bring the perspective of the “average woman”, with all the nerves and insecurities that come with it. My classes are slow and easy, and will meet you at your level. Dancing has changed my body and my body-image in profound ways, and I’m excited to share that perspective with other women. All ages, sizes, and baggage welcome!"

Lucky


"I have always loved to dance, and for the last eight years I have been teaching hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, jazz and tumbling. I have taught and choreographed for a competitive dance studio, and have also worked for non-profit organizations teaching children. It is hard to say what I love more, dancing or teaching. For the last year I have been teaching the art of burlesque and pole, and have found it to be the most rewarding and challenging type of dance. I cannot fully express how much I love what I do. I am able to work with all different types of people and get to know them and see them in a beautiful stage of self-discovery. I think that pole dancing and burlesque is much more than a style of dance, it makes you feel great in your own skin and  you will love the way you move. In my opinion, the body is the most beautiful piece of art, and dancing is the greatest way to appreciate it."

Lolita


"After what seemed to be an endless pursuit in finding a type of exercise she would not immediately quit, Lolita took her first pole dancing class in June of 2006 and instantly became addicted. She approached pole dancing like many other activities she had previously tried: with pure skepticism. However, after that first lesson, she was glad to have been wrong.

Lolita has been teaching with Brassy Butterfly since June of 2009 and loves to experience the transformations that occur daily within her students both physically and emotionally. She is a firm believer in promoting a healthy self-image and feels that pole dancing classes create a judgment-free atmosphere that allows women to embrace their uniqueness while radiating confidence."

Starr


Bio coming soon...