The IPDFA Team

Suzie Wong – Judge

Ming, commonly known as Suzie Wong of Singapore is a veteran entertainer /singer who ventured
into Pole dancing when she was trying to add skills and values to her performances. In her pursuit,
she discovered and fell in love with the fitness elements of pole and decided to take it up full time as a fitness regime.

In 2009 she decided to set up Acro Polates Pole Fitness Studio which made her one of the pioneers in Singapore to champion pole as an effective and fun fitness program
MING continues to study and excel via Pole master classes,
she and her team of instructors are all registered and certified with IPDFA. Acro Polates besides
Singapore’s premier provider of pole and aerial acts in events and gala dinners.
Ming was also the sole organiser of the IDPFA –affiliated pole championship in Singapore,
SG POLE CHALLENGE between 2011 to 2016. Since 2019, Acro Polates has since combined with ActifitAsia to rename the competition ASIA PACIFIC POLE CHALLENGE.

HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN
Miss Pole Korea,
Hong Kong and
China PoleChampionship,
Malaysia PoleStar and
Pole Sport Organisation in Los Angeles just to name a few .
In 2014, Ming was part of the judging panel of IPC 2014 in Singapore
IPC 2018 held in Brisbane

This year Ming is again honoured to be on the esteemed IPC judging panel to be held in South Africa

Nicholas Tang – Judge

Malaysia – born Nicholas Tang started practising pole dancing at the age of 14 with Viva Vertical Studio in Malaysia. Under the guidance of his beloved mentors at Viva Vertical, his developed love for the art deepened, bringing his humble soul all over the world as an impactful contributor to the pole and aerial community. One consistent mission of his – to inspire young aspiring movers in pursuing their dreams fearlessly.

The inspiration from defying gravity sparked a decade-long journey of coaching, performing, judging, competing and winning pole and aerial championships – for Nicholas Tang.

Nicholas was casted in a series of Viva Circus Productions – Neverland, Secret Of The Lost Circus, and, Art Is Power and Femme Fatale and CRÈ. On the flip side of the stage, he is a certified Pole Theatre judge and the appointed head judge of Airstars competition, already having judged in national and international competitions across Asia.

His multi-platform experiences credits his present roles as Aerial Arts Academy’s master instructor and the president of Next Pole Star™, based in Hong Kong.
He believes everyone is capable of nurturing talent and deserves an opportunity to showcase their hard work. Collectively with his supportive peers, a competing platform – Next Pole Star™ – was created. In fostering an influential and creative community of talents in Asia, Next Pole Star™ is aligned with his long-term vision of further growing this art and sport that we so love, through heart and dreams.

Notable achievements
2012
Hong Kong Pole Championship – Pole Fit Runner-up
Singapore Pole Challenge – Pole Art Champion
Pole Stars Championship Malaysia – Overall Champion

2013
China International Pole Championship – Pole Fit Champion and Overall Champion
China Aerial Competition – Aerial Hoop Champion
Pole Stars Championship Malaysia – Pole Fit Champion and Overall Champion

2014
PPS Aerial Tournament – Aerial Hoop Runner-up
Singapore Pole Challenge – Pole Art Champion

2017
Reno Aerial Competition – Aerial Hoop Runner-up

2018
Philippines Aerial Cup 2018 – Open Men Aerial hoop Champion

Judging Honours

2013
Taiwan Pole Top Championships

2014
Asia Pacific Pole Championships( Beijing, China )
So you think you can Groove ( Singapore )

2016
Cong Qing Pole Championships
Airstars pole and aerial competition ( Guiyang, China )

2017
Pole Stars Amateur, Malaysia
Airstars pole and aerial competition ( Taiwan )

2018
Melody Pole Studio Pole Competition ( Hong Kong )
Airstars pole and aerial competition ( Bangkok )

2019
Pole Theatre Hong Kong
Airstars pole and aerial competition ( Guiyang, China )
Philippines Aerial Cup
Airstars International ( Bangkok )
Spinderella Pole Studio Competition

Lu Nagata – Judge

– Pole Dance Tokyo Studio founder
– IPC Judge 2008, 2009 2010 and 2015
– Miss Pole Dance Japan Judge 2014 and 2015
– Pole Art Judge 2009 and 2012
– An original founder of the Japan Pole Dance Association
– RADA alumna (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts)

From Tokyo, a professional performer and director since 1998. Lu opened Pole Dance Tokyo studio in 2006. A pioneer in the pole dance industry, promoting it as both an art form and sport in Japan. She also runs talent agency and stage production, working for a variety of international theatrical, television and film productions.

Her employee and client list include world champion dancers and Cirque du Soleil performers. She is a highly regarded trainer and mentor to many award-winning dancers such as Mai Sato (Cirque Du Soleil ‘Love’ aerialist and IPC ultimate champion 2009 & 2010), Eri Kamimoto (IPC Disabled division champion 2010), Christi Ray (Pole Globe champion 2015 and Asia Pole Championship champion 2016) and many more.

Jady Chow – Judge

Born and raised in Hong Kong, As a dancer and certified fitness instructor, Jady combines dance and fitness essentials as the signature of her class. Beside its athletic benefits, she truly believes dancing pole is a genuine art form, able to express one’s inner self.

Jady Chow developed a passion for classical and modern dance at the early age of 10.
Over the years, she studied and dedicated her life to pursuing various styles of dance including Jazz, Latin, ballroom, Salsa and pole dance.

Began pole dancing in 2008 and in 2011 she completed training to become a certified pole dance instructor.
She also organised pole competitions for HK and China.
HK China Pole Championships since 2010.
She has been on the IPC Judging panel since 2010
She was also the only Asian to take part in the judging panel on the first “World Pole Sport Championships 2012” in London.

She is also the founder of the HK China Pole Championship and HK China Pole Sports Federation:

• IPC Judge from 2010 – 2020

• Certified Fitness Instructor of HKCBBA
• IPSF certified coach for team China 2017
• Judge at World Pole Sports Champion (WPSC) 2012
• XPert Pole & Aerial Fitness Trainer (Asia Pacific Region) 2014-2017

Deb Roach – Judge

Deb Roach Is An Icon In The Pole Dance Industry
She Is A Mentor For Many
Director Of Disabled Polers On The Ipdfa Board
Deb Won Many International Titles.
She Has Won Ipc Ultimate Disabled Champion In 2012, 2015, 2018

BORN IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA. she spent 3 years in London working both for the London Academy of Pole Dancing
DEB tourED as a performer with the UK circus companies Extraordinary Bodies and Cirque Bijou.
In addition to touring as workshop instructor and pole performer,
Deb has judged pole competitions extensively throughout the UK and Europe.
DEB HAS RECENTLY QUALIFIED AS A PILATES INSTRUCTOR AND IS OWNER OF POLE WORLD IN SYDNEYS WEST

Dagmara Anne Koop- Judge

Asia Pacific Pole Challenge Singapur 2019
Judge IPC 2018
European National Championships for Aerial Sports since 2018
Judge for WAAPA World Championships 2017& 2018
International World Judge Certification 2017
International Judge for WAAPA European Championships 2016
National Judge (since 2015)
Pole and Aerial Trainer Experience:
Trainer at Pole Fitness Premium (Oberhausen) and voluntary Trainer in Aerial at local circus school
WAAPA World Association Air Power Athletics certified children and professional Sport Trainer since 2016
Education of Trainers of Level Pole Dance Academy Concept until 2018
Trainer for Barre Concept since 2016
Artist and Kids Supervision on Championships since 2012
20 years E Experience in Professional Figure Skating:
Synchronized Figure Skating:
Winner of various European Cups and Championships,
German Top 3 for many years
Competing in World Championships 2002 with the Team Germany
8years Roller Art Skating: Member of State Squad and State Champion
3 years of ballroom dancing with performances on local stages

Cezanne Carstens – Judge

Cezanne Carstens ( Stern) has over twenty-seven years experience in the world of dance and fitness; performing since the age of 4 in the art of ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap and acrobatics – becoming both the junior and senior South African champion in acrobatic dancing. For much of her adult career she was based in Italy, working in international showbiz and theatre extravaganzas in various roles. As a production manager, she worked closely with the director creating and managing shows from behind the scenes. She also performed as an artist contortionist and as part of an amazing group of dancers and extravaganza girls all around the world, dancing in a variety of shows from Latin, hip hop and contemporary to flamenco – the list goes on.

Returning to her home in South Africa, she started her pilates and movement practise focusing on the feldenkrais method, fascia release work, sport massage, rehabilitation work, and extreme stretching. Understanding how the body works, along with her extensive exposure to the arts, allows Cezanne to better work with performers on stage and uniquely transform them to bring out their best.

Always looking for the next thing to expand her career she discovered pole fitness in 2011 and soon became one of the biggest names in pole dance choreography in South Africa. Amongst other achievements, she can boast being the coach of the winning doubles act at SA Nationals in 2013 and second place at the World Championships. She also coached the elite soloist win for Western Province 2014, the soloist win for Pole Theatre Art SA 2015, the soloist win for Pole Championships Series (PCS) Africa 2016, the doubles win in SA Nationals 2016, the doubles win in Pole Factor 2016, the soloist win in pole theatre SA drama division 2017, the soloist win in Pole Theatre SA Artist division and overall highest score 2017, the elite soloist win for the SA Nationals in 2018, and the professional acrobat division soloist win and overall highest score in Pole Factor 2019. Today, Cezanne continues to work with top athletes and performers in the South African dance & pole community.

Cezanne is a beloved mentor and coach for many people. Her motivation is to understand how each individual is different, developing their journey from behind the scenes all the way to the stage, to create the best performance possible. She considers this a blessing, as she is able to witness her students’ growth in life and on stage.

Tracey Ecclestone – IPDFA President

Tracey has taken on IPDFA with dynamism, she shares a vision of enormous growth and development, fuelled by her incredible passion for our sport and a determination to make it happen. She oozes enthusiasm and is supported by an incredibly driven team. She has been involved in the industry for over a decade, in 2012 she was approached by IPDFA to receive a sponsorship from IPDFA to qualify as a Master Trainer, thereafter to qualify instructors on behalf of the IPDFA, Today she is the Director of the PolePro courses, taught in 4 languages, with a global team of Master trainers.

IPDFA PolePro instructor courses are availablE over 3 day workshops, or on line where students are assigned a Master Trainer as a private tutor. IPDFA PolePro Instructor courses are ‘The Most Comprehensive Courses in the Industry.

Tracey owned the largest aerial training centre in Western Australia for 10 years.  She studied everything from body science to sports nutrition, and trained in the circus to gain aerial expertise, her studio was a great success and operational with a team of 12 instructors. She Directed 7 of the South West Australian Pole Championships. For 2020, Tracey has taken on directing the World Premiere Pole event – the International Pole Championship with confidence in her directing abilities with 10 years of international judging experience. Tracey frequented the judging panel of IPC both as judge & head judge.

Tracey has an array of experience, skills, and qualifications to compliment her role as the President of IPDFA.

Ania Pzerplasko – IPDFA Founder

The International Pole Dance Fitness Association was initiated by Ania (Anna) Przeplasko (pronounced pshe plaz ko). In 2007, in response to the rapidly increasing popularity of Pole, Ania wanted to help push the emerging trend of pole as an international fitness program and take it to a level where it would be recognised as seriously as a legitimate sport.

With the worldwide presence of pole dancing ever-increasing, Ania created the IPDFA as a way for better communication and accessibility on a global scale of all things pole.

Ania successfully launched and developed the IPDFA, IPC, PolePro Instructor Courses, E-Pole Judge, Memberships and PolePositions from 2007-2014.

Ania remains a strong supporter and advisor of IPDFA to date.

Natalie Tekanawa – IPDFA Industry Awards

Natalie Tekanawa has been involved in the Pole Dance industry since inception of the practice as a sport. Natalie was involved in the IPDFA as the Head Judge of IPC and together with a team, she was responsible for setting the Judging criteria for International Pole Championships & International judging standards.

Natalie Tekanawa joins the new IPDFA team and will be managing the IPDFA awards, an awards system that is an integral part of IPDFA recognising and awarding Instructors, Choreographers, Studios, Performers and Industry Professionals

PolePro Manager, Jade Elward

Jade began dancing and performing since the age of four, in this time she has had many opportunities in the entertainment and pole industry, competing in competitions across Western Australia, instructing and performing in the Middle East, America and Europe.
In 2010 Jade starting learning pole with Tracey being her soul instructor.

This quickly became an addiction and she was driven to know everything about pole. Her skills progressed into aerial hoop, silks, contortion and hand balancing. Jade has been active in the industry for 10 years.

Jade has recently completed her IPDFA Master Trainers certificate and has been given the opportunity to manage PolePro Instructor Courses

Kathy Lee – IPDFA Africa | President

Kathy Lee moved to Cape Town in 2012. She changed her corporate Lawyers title for her undying passion as the owner of Pole Project and director of Pole Factor in Cape Town.

Kathy was sponsored her Masters by the IPDFA and has been involved in the IPDFA since 2018. Kathy is the President for our new emerging pole community in Africa.

Marco Tomasini – IPDFA-Europe | President

Marco Tomasini is well respected within the Sporting industry. He is the current President for Feder-Swiss and Head of Para Sport POSA Pole Sports & Arts World Federation.

Marco will run the European IPDFA division as the President. He will be focusing on memberships, instructor qualifications and running the European Pole Championship on behalf of the IPDFA Global Expansion project

Shiva Seagram – IPDFA ASIA | President

Shiva has been involved in the tourist industry, organising conventions, and corporate travels for years.

He has helped with most of the IPC events and also shares his knowledge, time and assistance with IPDFA. Shiva will be running the IPDFA-Asia division of IPDFA overseeing instructor courses, memberships and arranging the Asian Pole Championships affiliated to IPC.

Simona Marchi – Advanced Master Trainer

In 2014 I opened a pole dance studio in the south of Switzerland, my studio is still in operation,  we teach pole and aerial.

In 2015/6 I qualified as a Pole Instructor through the Swiss Federation. In 2016.

In 2017I achieved a diploma through POSA as a national coach for Pole Sport.

In 2018 my passion for the sport led me to study further completing a course to become a National Judge. I have judged several national Championships in Italy.

In 2020 I completed my Master Level Training through IPDFA. I represent IPDFA and PolePro Instructor Courses for a few countries within the European region.

I am assisting with the International Pole Championship in 2021 through my dealings with IPDFA.

Tracy Mak – Head Judge

Tracy Mak was born in Hong Kong and is the co-owner of Milan Pole Dance Studio in Singapore.

She was the first in Asia to become a qualified Head Judge under the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) in 2017. She was also the head of Ethics Committee within the IPSF and has contributed to the development of its Code of Points & Rules and Regulations from 2015 to 2019.

Tracy firmly believes in the importance of objective, fair judging in competitions and is dedicated to help organizers around the world achieve this goal over the years. She has judged in various national and international Pole Championships around the world and advocates that pole should be embraced in all its forms.

She hopes to grow the recognition of pole as a sport and art form, as well as provide opportunities for Asian talents on the international stage.

Tracy is a certified pole instructor with the International Pole Dance Fitness Association & XPERT certified aerial hoop instructor.

2020 International Pole Championship – Head Judge
2019 Airstars Aerial Dance Art Competition Philippine Aerial Cup 2019
2018 International Pole Championship Airstars Aerial Dance Art Competition
2017 World Pole Sports Championships – Head Judge Greek Pole Sports Championships – Head Judge Dutch Pole Sports Championships
2016 World Pole Sports Championships Spanish Pole Sports Championships Dutch Pole Sports Championships
2015 International Pole Championship Japan Pole Sports Championships UK Pole Sports Championships Hong Kong China Pole Championships

Bec Collins – IPC / IPDFA Correspondent

Bec Collins is possibly better known as performer ‘Bebe Sparkle’, The Queen of Diamonds and creator and award winning business owner of Tasmanians largest pole studio , Diamond Class Pole and Fitness Studio!

An established performer, emcee, producer and troop leader/creator of The Diamonds of Polesque (since 2007), she has performed around Australia at festivals including Falls numerous times, many Fundraising Balls and Galas, Dark Mofo and also performed nationally including on Australia’s Got Talent multiple times.

Responsible for progressing pole dance from the pubs and clubs of Hobart to a professional fitness, dance and theatre studio environment, she has offered Tasmanian polers the opportunity to progress on a national level by producing multiple in-house and national comps such as the Tasmanian leg of the Miss Pole Dance Australia competitions.

A regular in Tasmanian local media, Bec has gained Pole Dance and Fitness the respect it deserves in Tasmania and been part of the same movement nationally also being recognised as one of the ‘Australian Pole Dancers Magazine’ top 50 most influential people in the industry multiple years.
Bec is extremely passionate about offering Tasmanian polers the same, if not better opportunities than are available in other states and is super proud her studio is considered as one of the most professional in Aus and the only studio in Hobart with IPDFA qualified instructors.

Bec is not only top of her game nationally but internationally too, as a qualified

Bec is extremely passionate about our sport, she is an IPDFA Master Trainer, she is the IPDFA Pole-blogger, article writer, reporter, interviewer all round explosion of energy and our communicator aka
IPDFA correspondent
As the IPDFA INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATOR, Bec
As an instructor at her studio, Bec has taught and met many inspirational women and men that have gone from little self body/mind confidence and strength to finding a happier version of themselves they never thought possible through pole dance and fitness. She’s taught many title winners in Pole Dance, Burlesque, Pinup and even Drag and is known for her skills in creative choreography and character work, her flexibility and her fun motivational teaching techniques. Bebe is also the head instructor at Diamond Class having developed an extensive instructor training program that has only been surpassed with the IPDFA Pole Pro instruction that she now teaches. All instructors at Diamond Class undertake teaching the highest level of Pole with continued up to date training.

PRODUCTIONS
**Diamond Production – show producer
**Dr Sketchy’s Hobart (a world wide cult live art and Burlesque show) – Hobart licensee
**Miss Pole Dance Tasmania (from 2012 to 2016- Tassie leg of MPD Australia) – producer
**Tasmanian Pole Dance Championships – creator/producer
**Miss Burlesque Tas previous producer for years 2010, 2011 and 2013

PERFORMANCES performances at gigs including:
**Dark Mofo
**Falls Festival for 3 years (emcee and performer)
**Ruby Revue Melb and Sydney
**Dr Sketchy’s Sydney
**Australian Burlesque Festival, Hobart and Qld over 2 years.
**Australias Got Talent – live semi finals 2010 and 2011
**Flamingos Dance Bar (emcee and performer)
** Cancer Council annual ball
** MS society annual ball
** Many functions and other various gigs.
** Tasmanian Fighting Championships mid show entertainment.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND OTHER
**IPDFA accreditation MASTER TRAINER
**TCCI Entrepreneur of the Year Commendation Award
**Rated in the top 50 most Influential persons in the industry – Australian Pole Dancers Magazine 2015, 2016 and 2017.
**Sauce Magazine (local monthly Tas entertainment guide) columnist for 3 years with her own column ‘Saucy Sparkle – Tales of Tease and all things Sparkling.
**Instructing many students on to win titles in Miss Pole Dance, Miss Burlesque, Tasmanian Pole Fitness Championships and more.
**Reporter for Tasmanian Living Magazine including a regular column about the Tasmanian Pole Dance industry since Jan 2017.

It’s time to Sparkle with Bebe!