VERTICAL Desires XI Cast
Friday Night - 8/23/24
Crystal Belcher
With over a dozen years of experience, Crystal “CryStylez” Belcher has been recognized for her charismatic and cunning displays of artistry and athleticism on and off the poles. She has produced piercing pieces like “Strange Fruit”, appeared on DJ Diplo’s “Set It Off” music video, danced alongside Snoop Dogg on tour and hosts one of the world’s largest international pole conventions and Houston's longest-running pole and dance competition.
Not only is she a well-decorated competitive pole dancer, but she's also a global instructor, choreographer, judge and competition producer since 2010. “CryStylez” thrives on fluidity and showmanship, alongside the thrill of expression and transformation. She aspires to inspire clients to enhance their visions of fitness, performance and/or dance with style! Not only does Crystal work to leave a lasting impression, she aims to share her insight and perspective on how to be more impactful performers to up-and-coming artists. "It is not just about the tricks and transitions, hyper flexibility and strength moves, it’s about creating moments and evoking emotions."
Sarah Jade
Sarah Jade is the owner of Buttercup Pole Dance in Tampa, FL. She's a proud dinosaur slinky, and a lover of the pole community. She just wants you to know that strippers rock, every single body can enjoy dance, and she's stoked to be in Columbia, MO with the cream of the pole crop.
Corey Elyse
Corey Elyse has performed, taught, and competed extensively since joining the pole community in 2014. Currently residing in Indiana and teaching at Chrome Fitness, her pole journey began in Missouri at Muse Pole Fitness. She holds such titles as 2023 PSO Artistic Professional National Champion, 2024 Pole Theatre USA Pro Comedy Champion, 2024 Pole Theatre USA Pro Drama Champion, and more. Corey is excited to return to the Vertical Desires stage, this time as a soloist. Corey loves to tell a story through prop usage, bendy shapes, and grip-defying moves.
El. Ex.
El. Ex. is a STL based pole dancer, $trippah, and performer that’s has competed and performed nationally and internationally. She has a love for thrashy and energetic sexy styles making her so excited to represent the sin of Wrath.
Returning to Vertical Desires for her 4th year as a soloist, it’s El. Ex.!
Leah Franklin
Leah grew up in Columbia, Missouri while studying dance & theater her entire life. She graduated with a BFA in dance from Stephens College and eventually found herself joining the Muse family—at first as a student, then as a teacher, and now is manager. Leah has been pole dancing for 10 years now all while competing, performing, and teaching all over the nation. She recently started her own production and entertainment company, Bittersweet Productions. Her favorite professional endeavor is co-choreographing and performing in the annual #professionallysexy show, Vertical Desires.
Nadia Nirvana
Nadia Nirvana is a multi-talented artist and athlete from Los Angeles. Her journey includes gymnastics, theatre, ballet, jazz, contemporary, bodybuilding, heels, lollipop, burlesque and contortion. She has competed in the pro division at several pole competitions including Original Sin, Dance Filthy USA and recently won the title of Queen of Cannons & Chrome. She’s graced the stage at many professional shows including Lux Pole Cabaret in Tampa, Lust Pole show in Orlando and the legendary PoleMaster’s Playhouse in West Hollywood, CA. She’s a passionate, highly experienced teacher and creative powerhouse in her local community of Tampa, FL. She recently created and produced her first show, Origins, an educational variety show highlighting sex workers and queer artists. Her years of dancing in strip clubs is evident in her slinky, sensual style. Her mission is to help as many people learn dance technique, find their unique style and live an embodied life. She is thrilled to indulge in professionally sexy, sinful artistry at Vertical Desires.
Shay Williamson
Shay Williamson is an international pole and circus artist with many accolades to her name. She is the owner of Utah's largest Circus Studio, Cirque Du Kairos, Dew Point Products, A vegan and minimalist Grip aide, and PoleActive- An online pole shop for every Body. Aside from being a business owner, Shay loves to spend her time producing shows, performing and teaching around North America. Shay is trained in many circus skills aside from pole including Spanish web, chains, aerial spiral, straps, loops and hair suspension. She is honored to be on the Vertical Desires stage once again and Sin with the best.
Saturday Night - 8/24/24
Abbey Eff
Abbey Eff is known for putting on a saucy & killer show with her combination of dynamic movement & buttery flow. Abbey is the 2021 Dance Filthy USA Champion, the 2018 Australia Dance Filthy Champion & most recently is the The 2022 DownTown Cabaret Ultimate Showdown Champion! She’s performed with Snoop Dogg multiple times & she has been slaying the pole for a full ass decade now. She loves to teach and guide and bring to others what pole and dancing has brought her - confidence, sensuality, and a boss ass bitch attitude. You catch her online classes through Pole Dance Academy, Team Basework & she teaches pole, stretch, and hosts challenges on her App “Rad As Eff”.
Saskia Klunder
Saskia Klunder is a Montreal based stripper, pole dancer and instructor. With a background in Theatre and Dance, she was always drawn to the stage. Saskia has competed and placed in various pole dance competitions accross Canada and the United States. In 2023 she was awarded first place in the professional division at Dance Filthy USA. Since then, Saskia began co-producing 'The Slut Show', a pole and burlesque show dedicated to showcasing sexy, shocking performers. In June of 2024 Saskia shared the stage with rap icon Snoop Dogg for the 4th time.
Jordan Mazur
Jordan Mazur is the owner of Muse Pole Fitness and creator of Vertical Desires. She fell in love with pole while in her classical dance journey, and after turning to pole dancing full time she wanted a way to mesh what pole had to offer by creating a fully sexy professional show. Jordan has many competitive titles including 2018 North American Pole Dance Champion, 2018 Pole Theatre Canada Pro Art Champion, 2017 GPC Floorwork and Low Flow Champion, and 2017 CPC Exotic Champion. She cannot wait to bring her newest, sexy edition of Vertical Desires to the stage.
Leah Von O’Daera
Queen of the Underworld cordially invites you to dive into one of the deadly sins : Gluttony
A thirst for more, an uncured drive for primal desire that's never met, a decadent long for pleasure never satisfied thus propelled to hunt for more, a never ending search for fulfillment yet never met which propels in failure of self discipline, shame ...
Instead of being ashamed, Let's celebrate this filth together. Allow oneself to become unguarded and tear down the walls society has ingrained into us. Taste what the soul longs for and enjoy the pure ecstasy of unfinished desire. Release your restraints and indulge into the unfiltered desires of your soul..
She is a pole dancer of 13 years, best known for her heavy dark gothic influence and storytelling on stage, she is one to captivate your soul and drive your mind further beyond normal realms. Pole Professional/instructor, Dark Performance Artist, Contortionist and Erotic coach, she is one to go beyond the normal societal boundaries. Prominent representative of the kink/fetish society, navigator of senses, explorer of boundaries .. tonight she summons
Mayhem
Mayhem is a performer, artist, and instructor living in Chicago, IL. They have been dancing and exploring movement as an art form for over 10 years and fell in love with pole dance while earning their BFA in ballet. As a performer, Mayhem strives to create an intimate and mesmerizing experience for the audience, drawing them into their world on stage. You can find her teaching at Velvet & Chrome and Pole Icons where she guides students through finding their artist voices and values. Mayhem is thrilled to be returning to this stage and can't wait to sin with everyone, coming soon.
Melissa Schrader
Melissa Schrader AKA “just some wild things” began taking pole dance classes in 2010 where she quickly found her passion for movement. Melissa started teaching, performing, and competing soon after. With over a decade of experience teaching she has introduced hundreds of people to the art of pole dancing. Through teaching she hopes to help students embrace their own unique and authentic style. Melissa enjoys heels, buttery flow, and rock ‘n’ roll.
The Sultry Slavic
Sultry Slavic has been on the dancing stage since a kid as her mother was a ballet-dancer and a choreographer and involved her daughter in the dancing world. However, after years of searching for something inspiring and empowering, she discovered pole dance and all the different forms and shapes you can do with it. It’s been a long journey, and after 2 years of learning and practicing she was invited to sub one of the Flow and Pole Art instructors.
After 6 years of working in a few studios, she opened her own one back in her hometown. Championships, workshops, photo and video shoots, a great team of stretching and pole instructors.
VDXI GROUP PERFORMERS:
Abby White, Amanda, Anna Marie, Becky D, Caitlyn Hulett, Crystal Jones, Dana Danielle, Fiadh Dubois, Hannah A, Hilary Jade, Jada Lee, Jesse A, Kaitlyn Genereux, Katy Stevens, Katydid, Kayla, Kendra Jones, Layah Salas, Leah Franklin, Lily, MadP, Maddie Hattie, Mallory Barnes, Mandy, Maxx, Moxie Havoc, Payton O, Peach, Rebecca, Ruth, Ryn Static, Shannen Nicoel, Sophie Marie, Sultry Slavic, Tess Killmade, Victoria V, XXXTINA
Previous soloists include:
Abbey Eff, Alethea Austin, Anna Kia, Bailey Elizabeth, Brian Wolf, Brittnai Pytlar, Bunni Thompson, Carly Child, Dalton Rhodes, Danielle Violet Carroll, Dark Angel, Duo Lila, Elizabeth Carmine Black, Elizabeth Tuazon, Gemma Lux, Highly Unstable, Hilary Jade, Jordan Kensley, Jordan Mazur, Karol Helms, Kirstie Ellerbe, Kyrsten Grimm, Leah Franklin, Lisa Michelle, Lyndi Rongisch, Mel Hyde, Melissa Schrader, Michelle Mynx, Morphine Contortion, Natalya Nightshade, Natasha Wang, Rachele Ribera, Sarah Jade, and Shay Williamson