About Pole Fitness Studio

Our mission at Pole Fitness Studio is to continue to be the #1 professional, respectful and most successful pole dancing studio in South Florida. Our goal is to help women accomplish their fitness goals through dance in a creative, fun, safe and unique environment. Susan and her highly trained and compassionate staff bring a positive spirit to pole dancing. Pole dancing is a beautiful exercise and art form comparable to yoga, Pilates, ballet, jazz and modern dance.

Some of our amazing teachers not shown yet are: Yusi, Delamarys, Elise and Gwendy!!

About Susan Hilferty

Owner and founder Susan Hilferty began her dance studies at age seven with the School of American Ballet (SAB). During her 10 years at SAB, she was chosen to perform with The New York City Ballet at the State Theatre in Lincoln Center. At age 14, she applied and was selected to be a dance major at the renowned LaGuardia School for the performing Arts (The basis for the movie and television series “Fame.”)

Upon graduating LaGuardia, the University of Miami granted Susan a dance scholarship. At Miami, she co-captained the Miami Hurricane dance/cheerleading team and was bestowed “All American” honors amongst the few chosen. After graduating, she danced four seasons with the NBA Miami Heat and choreographer Nancy Mulligan appointed her Co-Captain. Aside from a now burgeoning Pharmaceutical career at Johnson & Johnson, Susan broadened her dance repertoire at Zanadu; a Miami based Dance Company specializing in Broadway dance shows. While a Xanadu showgirl, Susan performed several times at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. In addition to her practical dance experience, she is a certified New York City Ballet Workout instructor.

Shortly after discovering pole dancing for fitness, she embarked to learn this exciting new sensation. She journeyed west to Hollywood to study and took certified instructor studies at the school at the forefront of this new dance movement in the United States (as featured on the Oprah show). While practicing this movement, she was spotted by a former teacher, a disciple of this school. The former teacher made Susan an instructor at one of the first pole dancing schools in the US. Susan also studied with one the leaders in pole dancing fitness schools in Canada and the prior famous showgirl and pole dancing world champion and fitness winner Fawnia. Susan also trained with the owner and founder of New York Pole Dancing, Wendy Traskos as well as Sharon Polsky of Pole Position Fitness in California. In 2006, Susan founded Pole Fitness Studio to expand this new art form. Her vision is to blend what she has learned in all her forms of dance into a fun, vigorous and healthy work out especially for women.

Moreover, Susan intends to abolish any stigma associated with pole dancing. It will stand on its own as an exercise and art form just as much as yoga, pilates, ballet, jazz and modern dance.

About Amy Foster

Amy Foster Berntsen began her ballet training with Patricia Bromley in Atlanta Georgia and completed her studies with School of American Ballet in New York City. Ms. Foster-Berntsen began her professional ballet career with Edward Villella at Miami City Ballet where she danced many principal roles. Amy then worked under Septime Webre’s directorship at American Repertory Ballet as a principal dancer. She joined Ballet West in 1998 and danced for 6 years as a demi soloist. In Diablo Ballet’s 2005-2006 Season, Amy danced as a principal, and also toured with the company to Bangkok, Thailand. Amy has performed many principal and soloist roles in George Balanchine’s repertory including; Concerto Barocco, Who Cares?, Agon, The Four Temperaments, Allegro Brilliante, Serenade, Jewels, Bugaku, Western Symphony, Divertemento No. 15. Other works include; Hans Van Manen’s Black Cake and Polish Pieces, William Forsyth’s Artifact II, and many others. Mrs. Berntsen has worked with renowned teachers and chorographers such as Suzanne Farrell, Stanley Williams, Gelsey Kirkland, Maggie Black, Francia Russell, Kent Stowell, Hans Van Manen, Ben Stevenson, Jimmy Gamonet, Christopher Bruce, Val Caniparoli, KT Nelson and Lila York. Amy has ten years of professional dance instruction including but not limited to private, semi private teaching, workshops, strength and alignment classes and outreach programs. Ms. Foster-Berntsen directed at The Dance Institute of Washington, in Washington DC, where she oversaw all aspects of the school, including performances, choreography, auditions, class curriculum and syllabus, managing teachers, parent relations, and all other school administration. With a strong knowledge of ballet and instruction of all ages, Amy’s mission is to give back what she has learned in her profession, resulting in a higher education of dance awareness.

About Michelle C. Sanchez



Bio coming soon.

About Brandy Gayle Benton

Brandy Gayle Benton was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma and is currently 29 years old.  She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Masters of Accounting and from Florida International University with a Bachelor's degree in finance and a minor in dance.  In F.I.U., she studied under the direction of various artists, such as: Mariana Alvarez, Liz Bergmann, Lee Brooke, Babs Case, Gary Lund, Giovanni Luquini, Leslie Neal, Renee Rich, and Andrea Seidel.  While attending F.I.U., she became one of the original cast dancers for Pure Reaction, Inc. under the direction of Isabelle Tapia for six years.  In Southwest Miami Senior High, she was an Illusion Dancer for four years under the direction of Ingrid Houvenaeghel.

Brandy has dance training that ranges from modern, jazz, lyrical, ballet, and hip-hop to new age break.  She has also taken various classes at DanceSpace under the direction of Talani Torres and at New Image Dance with Barbara Delgado.  Not only does Brandy have such dance training, but she has been actively involved in gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer, and softball since high school.  One of the more recent accomplishments, was that she auditioned for Cirque du Soleil.

About Stephanie Adames

A seasoned dancer, instructor and choreographer, Stephanie began her dance training at the age of three in her native New York City. She has since studied a variety of dance forms including jazz, tap, modern and more.

After teaching jazz and hip hop at Steps Studio in Manhattan and working as a featured dancer on the smash-hit MTV dance show The Grind, Stephanie made the move to Miami in 1997.

While always keeping up with her training, Stephanie focused her efforts toward her career upon moving to Miami, and is currently a senior level executive for an internationally recognized public corporation. Her love of dance translates to students through her energy and passion for the art form.

As an instructor at Pole Fitness Studio, The Original Pole Dancing Studio of Miami, Stephanie will whip you into shape through extensive floor work, dance routines and fabulous pole tricks that will leave you craving for more!

About Lena Pereira

LENA IS A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FITNESS PRESENTER. She is on the Board of Fitness Directors for Elements Gym (www.elementsforwomen.com). In 2006, Lena was sponsored by Nike for Dance Fitness and by Body Up for her performances on South Beach. Lena is currently being sponsored by bella mia sportswear (go to www.bellamiasportswear.com) She has experience as a fitness director at gyms in Florida including the 'Spa Internationale - Fitness Center' on Fisher Island. Lena has toured nationally as a NIKE MASTER TRAINER (sponsored by Nike for Dance-Fitness) teaching dance choreography workshops and certifying aerobics instructors to teach the 'Nike Rockstar Workout' created by Jamie King. She is certified by AFAA as an aerobics instructor and personal trainer and holds certifications in Kickboxing, Sculpting, Spinning, Pilates, and Aqua Aerobics. She teaches and is the star of the Bikini Body Workout. (Lena's Bikini Body Workout Video which is available in stores and also online at Amazon.com. She teaches specialty dance-based aerobics classes such as:

Reggaeton, Cowgirl Hip Hop, Strip Bar (similar to Cardio Strip Tease), Stiletto Strength, CLUB SWEAT (her creation) and the Nike Rockstar Workout. Before becoming an aerobics instructor, Lena taught jazz dance classes and danced professionally on T.V. and in commercials. Lena has traveled nationally and internationally as a Zumba (Salsa aerobics) dancer and instructor. She has taught the Zumba aerobics certifications and is responsible for getting Zumba Fitness into AFAA so that potential Zumba instructors may earn 7.5 continuing education credits. In 2004 she was chosen as the Director of the Mayor's Corporate Health and Fitness Challenge. Lena also wrote a fitness manual for Dembo Fitness and is the designated AFAA administrator for Dembo Fitness and D'FIT / D' URBAN certifications. D'FIT instructors will earn 10.5 AFAA CEU'S -CERTIFICATIONS/INTENSIVE TRAINING WORKSHOPS START in 2007!

Lena is a regular performer at all of the major events on South Beach. She has taught/performed specialty classes at the Miami Beach Fitness Festival, the VolleyPalooza, South Beach 'Beach Ball' party, and Miami's Self Magazine Workout in the Park. She has been featured on Deco Drive, and has been hired as a dancer and choreographer at the most popular night clubs in South Beach (Crobar/Pearl/Mansion). She has performed in Canada, Italy, Africa and several cities in the U.S.