Meet Our Team of Lyra, Pole Dancing, and Dance Fitness Instructors
Our awesome instructors aren't just highly trained in their craft - they're passionate about helping you discover the joy of movement. The air-dwelling and floor-dwelling teachers bring their unique journey and expertise to help create a safe and supportive space for you.
the Team
Melissa S.
Owner & Creator
TEACHES: Lyra & Flexibility
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: anything doechii
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Melissa is the owner and creative genius behind Hearth And Hallow Movement Lounge, a boutique aerial and dance fitness studio in Ivyland, PA. With over 10 years of experience as an aerial hoop (lyra) instructor, Melissa specializes in teaching introductory, intermediate, and choreography classes.
Her passion for aerial arts began in 2013, sparking a journey that led her to seek lessons across various locations, including the Philadelphia Circus School, New York, and New Jersey. Melissa's dedication to the craft earned her a position in a work-study program, where she developed her skills and became a lyra instructor.
At Hearth And Hallow, Melissa is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for individuals eager to explore aerial arts and enhance their flexibility.
Outside the studio, Melissa enjoys tending to her chickens, gardening, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her dogs, Bowie & Sadie, her son, Theo, and her husband, Jeff. She also has a love for all things spooky, especially Beetlejuice.
Melissa founded Hearth And Hallow Movement Lounge to offer a central and vital gathering place where the community can come together and experience the joy of movement.
Heather M.
TEACHES: Lyra, Burlesque & Belly Dance
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Kool-aid by Bring Me The Horizon
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Heather started her journey into the world of dance with Bellydance, she learned tribal and cabaret styles. She has performed bellydance at the Wrightstown Renaissance Faire and Rakkasah East. Heather found structure and expression through dance in her practice and work with props, including silk fabric, wings and balancing swords.
She evolved her props practice by transitioning from Bellydance to flow arts and fire performing. As a fire performer for Freaks Alley at Valley of Fear Haunted Hayride, she performed with fire poi, double staff, double hoops, and fans. Being a part of a Halloween circus-themed attraction led her to fall in love with her next love, the lyra hoop.
Heather began her aerial dance training at Trenton Circus School. She has experience with lyra, silks, hammock, straps, pole and trapeze. Heather has developed her skill over the years by taking classes at Trenton Circus School, along with private lessons at Las Vegas Circus Center. Heather has performed on the aerial lyra hoop at Sellersville Theater and PPA Showcases. After completing her teacher training mentorship with Melissa Sarcewicz in June 2021, she became a Lyra instructor. Teaching all three levels of Lyra, Burlesque Lyra and Moon shaped Lyra classes. She has diversified her teaching abilities and spotting techniques over her time as an instructor.
As an instructor, Heather chooses to see the alternative and unconventional beauty in her students and the world around her. She strives to teach others to learn to control their body by isolating muscle groups to accomplish aerial poses. Heather always strives to bring out the best in her students by giving detailed demonstrations and encouraging individualism in expression of the poses.
Performance arts are for adults of all ages to find new ways to do poses that may seem impossible at first, through consistent practice and proper form are possible. Heather will be sharing her dance and aerial expertise at Hearth & Hallow Movement Lounge, where the environment fosters gathering together to learn new skills, without sacrificing who you are
Saige F.
TEACHES: Turn Up Dance & Hip Hop
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Phat by DaBaby
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Saige has been passionate about dance since high school, mastering a diverse range of styles including jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, salsa, and heels. With a rich background in teaching, Saige has shared her expertise with students of all ages, specializing in hip-hop and heels classes.
Today, Saige primarily focuses on teaching street heels, where they bring their dynamic choreographic vision to life. Whether it's a slow, sensual piece or an energetic hip-hop routine, Saige crafts each class to not only challenge but also inspire dancers to explore their unique expression through movement.
Alyssa T.
TEACHES: Strength & Conditioning
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Chaotic by Chris Rafter
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As a certified fitness trainer with a focus on strength and conditioning, Iām excited to help you reach your fitness goals through dynamic and effective workouts. As a mom and functional training enthusiast, Iām committed to creating a supportive and motivating environment where we can work together to build strength, improve endurance, and achieve your personal best. My passion lies in creating effective, engaging workouts that fit into not only the movement lounge, but in your lifestyle.
Jenn P.
TEACHES: Pole Dance & Pole Flow
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: early 2000s throwbacks
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Jenn discovered pole in 2011 and along with it, her passion and love for aerials and movement. Intertwining strength, grace, fluidity, and embodiment, pole & movement became a lifelong journey of learning, exploration, and discovery. Jenn is so grateful for the opportunity to share and be a part of igniting this practice with others since 2014.
Natalie S.
TEACHES: Pole Dance & Pole Flow
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: all the things!
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Natalie is a highly skilled and passionate pole instructor who has been teaching since 2014 and has extensive experience in both teaching and competition. Natalie has made a name in the pole dance community through impressive competition wins. In 2018, she secured 1st place in Level 3 Exotic category, showcasing her mastery of fluid, sensual movements. In 2019, she earned 2nd place in the Exotic Level 4 category, further demonstrating her exceptional talent and dedication to the craft.
She specializes in Pole Flow, offering a unique approach that combines fluid movement with deep emotional expression. With a focus on helping students of all levels get lost in their movement, Natalie emphasizes the power of dance as a journey of self-discovery and freedom. Through each class, students are encouraged to embrace their individuality, connect with their bodies, and experience the joy of flow.
Katie G
TEACHES: Dance
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Rihannaās āDesperadoā
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Katie began her dance training at Miss Cindyās School of Dance, where she studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, modern, lyrical, and contemporary dance styles. As a member of the award-winning Broad Street Entertainers, she performed at local community events, at dance competitions, in Disney World, on television, and at the Jersey Shore. After high school, she became a member of the DeSales University Dance Team and performed at basketball games and community events.
Katie began her teaching career in 2012, where she specialized in teaching chair dance, cardio dance, hip hop, and jazz / contemporary style classes. She also choreographed for showcases, workshops, and pole dancing competitions. Katie broadened her dance training by taking group and private lessons with professional pole dancers from around the world.
With over 30 years of dance training and experience, Katie continues to share her passion and love for the art of dance as an instructor and choreographer. She focuses on technique, musicality, and emotional expression in her dance instruction. She encourages her students to interpret the music through their movements, and she understands the importance of motivating her students to set and achieve their goals (both individually and as part of a team). She strives to build connections and inspire others to express themselves through dance.
Samantha C
TEACHES: Turn Up Dance Fitness
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: 50 Cent or Chris Brown
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Sam is a vibrant and empowering turn-up dance fitness instructor whose journey to the front row of the dance floor is a testament to resilience and determination. In 2021, after randomly taking a hip-hop beginner class at a studio she followed for over a year on social media, Samantha rediscovered her passion for dance, quickly transitioning from a newcomer to a front-row Zumba enthusiast. This sparked a deep connection to both fitness and self-expression, leading her to pursue her Turn Up certification.
While navigating the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship//becoming a single mother and rebuilding her life, Sam found strength and healing through dance, using it as a powerful tool to reclaim her confidence and energy. Now, as a certified dance fitness instructor, her mission is to empower and support other women to do the sameāno matter their background or where they are in their journey.
Through high-energy, heart-pumping dance routines, Sam creates a safe, inclusive space where women can let loose, have fun, and tap into their inner strength. Her classes are all about turning up the volume, shaking off the stress, and building a community of strong, confident women who uplift and inspire each other.
Michelle B
TEACHES: Zumba & Turn Up
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: all the 90s & 2000s throwbacks
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Michelle is a passionate fitness instructor with over 12 years of experience in helping people transform their fitness routines into fun, energetic, motivating classes. With a background in ballet, tap, jazz, Latin and hip-hop. Michelle combines her love for movement with a deep understanding of fitness to create engaging classes for all fitness levels.
Having worked with diverse groups of individuals Michelle believes it's not only a way to stay fit, but also a powerful tool for boosting confidence, reducing stress, and building community. Whether you're looking to burn calories, improve coordination, or simply just have a great time. Michelle's classes provide a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone.
Amira B
TEACHES: Beginner Pole
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Anything Rihanna
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In 2015, Amira set a New Year's resolution to take pole-dancing classes after being captivated by a video she stumbled upon online. Though it took her until the end of 2015 to get started, she immediately fell in love with everything pole dancing offered: the strength-building, the creativity, the dance and flow, and especially the sense of community and camaraderie.
Recently, she completed her Intro to Pole Teachers training at Elite Pole & Fitness and is currently pursuing her Level 1-2 training certifications. In addition to being a certified personal trainer, Amira pole dances competitively; mostly with PSO, though her most recent competition was the Land of Lakes in October 2024.
Rachel P
TEACHES: Pole, Lyra, Strength & Conditioning
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Missy Elliott & SZA
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Rachel discovered her love of dance as a child and threw herself into as many activities as she could that offered her that feeling of joy (cheerleading, color guard, dance team, etc.) In 2008, she discovered aerial dance and began training at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.
There, she had the opportunity to travel the US and Mexico to perform as an aerialist for several years. She then discovered pole in 2014 at Elite Pole & Fitness, where she quickly became head instructor and an integral part of their teacher training program. Being known for her love of drops, flips, and tumbles, Rachel has the joy of being called āDrop Momā
by some of her students. She teaches all levels pole, flow, lyra, strength & conditioning, and strives
to create an atmosphere of self-love and accessibility. As a late-adulthood-diagnoses of ADHD has taught her, thereās more than one way to do everything. Because of this, her most prized skill is teaching multiple types of learners in many different ways, encouraging her students to believe that
they CAN, in fact, do hard things!
Heather (Chow)
TEACHES: Contemporary Flow & Pole Dance
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING:
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Heather (lovingly known as Chow) is a passionate and versatile dancer with 9 years of experience in traditional dance, focusing primarily on contemporary freestyle. Over the course of her dance journey, she has cultivated a deep appreciation for fluid movement and self-expression, which she channels into every performance. Her love for contemporary flow is complemented by her ability to connect deeply with music and emotion, creating performances that resonate with audiences.
In addition to her dance background, Chow has spent the past 6 years sharing her expertise and passion for movement by teaching pole dance. She specializes in building both strength and grace, helping students of all levels discover their unique expression through the art of pole.
Chow's dedication to her craft and her commitment to continuous growth have led to remarkable achievements, including placing second in the PSO (Pole Sport Organization) dramatic division, a testament to her skill and creativity. Known for her fierce love of heels and contemporary flow, she has mastered the ability to combine power and elegance in her performances, setting her apart in both the pole dance and contemporary dance worlds.
Her approach to dance is rooted in empowering others to embrace their own movements and discover the freedom that comes with self-expression. Whether performing or teaching, Chow brings passion, technique, and heart to everything she does.
Alexis (Lex)
TEACHES: Turn Up Dance Fitness
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING:
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Alexis is a passionate and dedicated Dance Fitness Instructor with 15 years of dance experience in styles, including jazz, lyrical, ballet, and, most notably, hip-hop. From a young age, Lex was drawn to the world of movement and expression. While exploring various styles throughout her dance journey, hip-hop remained the focal point and became her true specialty, shaping her journey as both a dancer and instructor.
After high school, Lex continued to pursue her love of dance by taking adult hip-hop classes and diving into Zumba, expanding her skill set and deepening her passion for movement. Combining her love for hip-hop with fitness has been a dream come true, to be able to blend both of her passions into a fun and dynamic workout experience.
Lex has fallen in love with the role of inspiring and motivating others through dance, helping people of all fitness levels build confidence, strength, and joy in movement.
Rachel S.
TEACHES: Vinyasa Yoga
šµ CURRENTLY PLAYING: Anything by Earth
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Rachel Sooy is a certified yoga instructor based in Lambertville, New Jersey. Her first introduction to yoga and meditation was by accident in her high school gym class, an experience that had a lasting impact. It wasnāt until college where she took a course on yoga philosophy and asana that helped her to cultivate a regular yoga practice. Since then she has never strayed far from the mat. Rachel is known for creating a space where students are able to explore mindfulness, and movement through imaginative flow style classes. However, if you are looking for a class with a slower pace, Yin may be more your speed. In her Yin inspired classes Rachel focuses on holding supported postures that allow the body to unwind to find deeper relaxation. It is the perfect tempo for introspection and meditation. Her mission is to cultivate a space where students of all skill levels feel safe to explore and challenge themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually through yoga, movement, and meditation.
Rachel completed her 200 hour certification at Dana Hot Yoga in Spring House, Pennsylvania in 2017 with Lisa and Dorian Mitchell. She had the honor of studying with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzeny of Dig Yoga in Frenchtown, New Jersey to achieve her 500 hour certification in 2023.
You can find Rachel teaching chilled out Saturday morning vinyasa at Hearth and Hallow in Warminster Pennsylvania.
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movement
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