PDC Approved 4 star pole dancing instructor Gemma Spencer.
Gemma Spencer is the principal instructor at Everybody Dance and Fitness in Andover, UK.
Gemma received her two references from PDC Approved 4 star pole dancing instructor Zorena Roe and PDC Approved 3 star pole dancing instructor Lex Gumn.
Zorena said "Gemma started her involvement in the pole industry very pro-actively by setting up the pole society at the University of Southampton in 2011. Since then she has trained, taught, and competed, finding her niche in exotic pole, floor work and choreography. Her focus is on empowering participants through dance and movement, from beginners to advanced.
She has a lovely teaching style, she’s very encouraging, positive and really helps bring out the best in you, building confidence and self esteem as well as technique and fitness levels. She offers pole tricks classes as well as follow-along fitness classes, stretch, pole routine & choreography classes as well as pure floor work sessions, one of them being meditative dance which is a great tool and well executed. Gemma is also always trying to improve her knowledge, understanding, technique and experience with workshops, classes, courses etc. She’s also incredibly friendly as a fellow instructor, and always keen to collaborate and work together on projects, workshops and ideas. She is thorough, safety-conscious, creative, and a real asset to the industry."
Lex said "Gemma is a friendly and experienced instructor who strives to improve her knowledge which she then uses tirelessly to support her students and the wider community. She actively takes part in and supports inclusivity within the pole industry through education, workshops, competitions and showcases. I believe she is a wonderful role model for anyone both new or experienced within our community and is especially excellent at helping students overcome pre-conceived barriers to fitness and movement. She understands every student is an individual and makes each one feel valued for who they are and what they CAN do, supporting, encouraging and motivating them in classes, within her student base and in her actions and participation within the pole community as a whole."
Gemma Spencers CV.
Education & Training
Professional Qualifications:
BA Archaeology 1st Class Hons 2013
Post Graduate Certificate in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, Cranfield University 2014
Emergency First Aid at Work 2018
Fitness/Pole Qualifications:
Pole Passion Level 1 Instructor training, 24th February 2013
PDC Level 5 certified with Merit, 16th January 2016
Spin City Anatomy and Physiology for Pole Fitness 2016
Spin City Intermediate Instructor training 2018
BTN Academy Nutrition Foundation 2020
Girls Gone Strong Certified Pre and Post Natal Coach - 2020
Spin City Stretch and Flexibility for Pole and Aerial – 2021
Membership of Professional Bodies:
PDC Level 3 Approved Instructor since 2014
PDC AAP Member and Grading Instructor since 2013
Workshops, Courses & Master-classes Attended:
Karen Chaundy at Pole Fitness Academy – December 2013
Zorena Roe and Angela Hawkes Doubles Workshop at Polenastics – December 2014
Zorena Roe Strength and Flex Masterclass – August 2015
Zorena Roe Signature Tricks and Flow Masterclass – August 2015
Charlotte Robertson AcroPole Fusion – October 2015
Charlotte Robertson Signature Tricks – October 2015
Charlotte Robertson Handstands workshops – November – December 2015
Lucy Cropper - Twerkshop - February 2016
Lucy Cropper - Floorflow workshop - February 2016
Scarlot Ashton - Acrostrip and Chair - March 2016
Sarah Scott - Source Your Strength - April 2016
Sarah Scott - Handspring 101 - April 2016
Lux ATL Stripcraft - July 2016
Lux ATL Booty Isolations - July 2016
Jamie Taylor - Russian Exotic July 2018
Jolene Whiting - Twerkshop July 2018
Jolene Whiting - Sexy Style workshop November 2018
Jolene Whiting - Poleafornication January 2019
Sarah Blackmilk - Flow and Floorwork July 2019
Sarah Blackmilk - Glideography July 2019
Annie Norris - Stripper Slink July/August 2020 (online)
Lauren Elise - Pole Basework September 2020 (online)
Sarah Scott (at Paradise Fitness) – Private tuition October 2015
Nia Pearce (I Would Rather Be Pole Dancing) – private tuition
Spin City group classes - pole, aerial hoop, aerial sling, aerial silks - May 2016 - February 2017
Jolene Whiting - Serpent Power, Freestyle, Pole Tricks and Pole Choreography 2017 - 2019
Zorena Roe - ongoing private tuition since 2014
Annie Norris - private tuition October 2020, January 2021
Teaching History:
Pole Position Dance and Fitness, Southampton (2011 – 2012)
The Pole Fitness Academy, Aylesbury (2013 – 2014); cover instructor 2016
GS Pole Fitness, Aylesbury and Thame - owned business (2014 - 2016)
Purity Pole Dance (April 2018 - August 2019)
Every Body Dance and Fitness - owned business (August 2020 to present)
Student's pole dancing success:
Whilst running my first own pole school I taught 30+ students on a weekly basis, along with 20 or so other students for private tuition or workshops. During this time several students completed the AAP gradings with either Merits or Distinctions and I was immensely proud of them! Another had successfully entered the Solent Aerial and Hoop Competition in 2015, placing 7th in her video heat out of 15 students - she had only been poling for 6 months when entering so I was extremely proud of her! Several students had also demonstrated or performed at events with GS Pole Fitness, promoting the school and pole dancing with pride.
I then took a break from teaching following breaking my leg and moving away from the area I lived in to Andover, UK. I have since reflected on that decision and after being asked to teach for Purity Studio in 2018, re-discovered my passion for teaching. Seeing shy, nervous and sometimes apprehensive beginners grow and flourish into sexy, sensual and confident women is such a pleasure to see. Many of the students I have taught from beginner level have gone on to perform at the Purity Puritease party or the Purity Showcases.
I have since set up my own pole dancing school and whilst this is in its infancy and I am just trying to get through Covid, I have already seen an amazing amount of growth in confidence amongst my students. I’ve also had the privilege of running online workshops in collaboration with Solent Fitness and Aerial Arts, teaching an Exotic Floorwork course, and again seeing the students grow in confidence has been extremely rewarding for them.
I currently have around 20 students. One has placed 2nd in the Southern Pole Championships Exotic Floor Artist category 2020, two are competing in the Dance Filthy Amateur category in March 2021 and the Southern Pole Championships 2021, and another two are also competing in the English Rivieria Online Championships in September 2021.
Continuing Professional Development:
Polesafe Studio Owner and Instructor Seminar 29th January 2016
Ongoing training with Zorena Roe, Annie Norris, and Lucy Cropper
Study Active Active iQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor - pending practical exam post-lockdown
The Science of Wellbeing – Yale University online course, January 2021
Trans Inclusivity in the Pole Industry seminar with Chloe Hood – October 2020
Reading: The Pole PT - Neola Wilby
Reading: Flying Through Pregnancy - Kate Edwards
Subscription to free resources offered by Girls Gone Strong including: Nutrition considerations and menstrual cycles; disordered eating and fitness coaching; body image comparisons and fitness coaching.
Competition Achievements:
Pole Position Dance and Fitness In-house Competition – Beginner 4th place 2010
University of Southampton Pole Society Friendly Competition Advanced Category 2nd place 2011
South Heat Winner Pole2Pole Amateur 2012
Finalist Pole2Pole Amateur 2012
Southampton University In-house Competition Advanced Category 1st place December 2012
Inter-university Competition 2013 Finalist Advanced Category (University of Southampton team)
Inter-university Competition 2013 Finalist Group Category (University of Southampton team)
Entered Solent Pole and Aerial Hoop Competition Semi - Professional 2014
Authentic Pole Dance Southern Heats Semi-Professional competitor 2018
Finalist for Kick Ass Curves UK - Classique category October 2018
Authentic Pole Dance Southern Heats Semi-Professional competitor March 2019
3rd Place Kick Ass Curves UK Final - Classique Category March 2019
Competitor in Southern Pole Championships online edition 2020 - Exotic Floorwork and Exotic Pole Dance Instructor categories
Dance Filthy UK 2020 Instructor Category (postponed to 2021)
Competitor for English Rivieria Championships UK 2021
Professional Pole Appearances:
Organised and demonstrated at the University of Southampton Bun Fight/Freshers Fayre September 2011 and September 2012
Pole Position Dance and Fitness & Ann Summers party evening, February 2012
University of Southampton Erasmus Welcome Evening performance and demonstration – February 2012
University of Southampton Bun Fight/Freshers Fayre Demonstrations September 2011 and September 2012
Wicked Wonderland Online Show December 2020
Judging Involvement:
Judge of Southampton University Friendly Competition Beginners & Intermediate Categories 2011
Judge of Southampton University Pole Society Showcase April 2013
Sponsorship:
Funding from the University of Southampton to set up and run the Pole Fitness Society, 2011
Sponsorship obtained from PolEssentials and Pole Position Dance and Fitness for the Pole Fitness Society for University of Southampton, 2011
Brand Ambassador for Lola Elite since June 2020, a new pole wear company based in Bristol who provides made-to-order handmade pole clothing.
Pole Dancing Promotions Involvement:
Co-founder and President of the University of Southampton Pole Fitness Society (now Aerial Arts Society) 2011-2012. Aimed to promote pole dancing for both male and female students. This society is still going strong today and is one of my proudest achievements.
Organised the University of Southampton Pole Society Friendly Competition 2011, giving students the opportunity to experience performing and competing in a familiar environment.
Demonstrations:
Demonstration at Whitstock Festival held at The White Swan, Whitchurch – July 2015. Promoting pole fitness to the local community and changing perceptions.
Haydon Hill Community Centre Open Day Demonstration – September 2015. Promoting pole fitness to the local community.
Health and Wellbeing Day at Queen’s Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury - February 2016 to promote pole dance and fitness as a valuable and beneficial sport for both men and women.
Performances:
Purity Puritease Show - May 2018
Purity Pure Evil Show - October 2018
Wicked Wonderland Online Show - December 2020
Charity involvement:
Yes, I currently run Online Mindful Stretch classes on a Sunday morning. These are free with an optional voluntary donation to Mind as I wanted to do something to help everyone’s wellbeing through lock-down whilst also supporting a charity which I have personal connections with. I am also working in collaboration with a local business Reiki by Jo to provide optional distance Reiki as part of these classes too, which is also free of charge. So far we have raised £65 since January 14th 2021.
Media attention:
Residents Open Day - Haydon Hill Community Centre News: http://haydonhillca.co.uk/residents-open-day-september-2015/
AAP Membership involvement:
I have actively promoted the PDC and PDC gradings to my students and I am an AAP registered grader. I have graded several students in previous years.
Pole Dancing Goals & Aspirations:
My main goal is to continue to inspire and be a role model for all pole dancers of any shape or size - promoting self-confidence, well being, and that being sexual and enjoying the classique style of pole dancing is absolutely OK! Having recently learned that there is not a pole specific qualification for pre and post natal coaching I would like to work towards helping the industry create an accredited qualification, as I strongly believe this is an area which would assist other instructors and pole dancers, allowing them to continue pole dancing during pregnancy if they wish and are able to do so.
Once Covid-19 is over I would also like to travel the UK and run workshops at pole schools to promote the sensual and sexy side of pole dancing, boosting confidence and encouraging well-being for students across the country.
I am also working towards obtaining a PT qualification hopefully by the end of 2021 and would like to create a pole-specific programme for students who want to compete, perform or take their training to the next level, which would include lifestyle advice such as sleep, hydration and nutrition as well as safe and effective progression chains.
My own personal goals include:
To place 1st or 2nd in a national competition
To be invited to perform or judge at a competition
To complete Spin City Advanced Instructor qualification by the end of 2022
To complete a PT qualification by the end of 2021
Any Other Information:
I broke and dislocated my ankle in 2015 which put my training and teaching career on hold, however I was very keen to get back on the bandwagon. I then spent the next 18 months
re-training and re-focussing my training programme to not only rehabilitate my ankle, but also focus on aspects of training I had previously ignored. Breaking my ankle allowed me to re-evaluate my own personal pole journey, and looked at how that impacted on my students and promoting pole dancing as a whole.
After taking a break from teaching and workshops to pursue the “day-job” career in 2016 and moving in with my husband, I was invited to teach again by Purity Studio and I am so pleased that I took this incredible opportunity. Teaching at Purity has been an absolute pleasure and wonderful experience and I look forward to continuing to see students grow in confidence and find their sexy - in turn this has ignited my passion for pole dance and particularly Classique style, all over again. I am now very privileged to be able to run my own pole school again, and I am looking forward to seeing this grow and inspiring a number of men and women over the next few years.