Mary Ashton Kolacinski brings a unique sincerity to the stage, enthralling any audience with her seamless strength, fluidity and finesse. She blends contemporary and jazz details into aerial dance for a wholehearted expressiveness and commitment to character unlike any other dancer. Alternately vulnerable and fierce, she tells stories that feel intensely personal and raw. Mary grew up surrounded by the buzz of the competitive dance environment in the Los Angeles area. She flourished in ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop for over 15 years. Her passion for the art and ability to thrive under pressure led to her selection as a principal dancer for three separate competition teams. Dance enabled Mary to combine her love for music, movement and performance. In 2008, a friend suggested that Mary try a pole class. She was hesitant, uncertain how she could translate her classical dance experience. But she found that the vertical apparatus helped her explore a new, unrestricted way of moving. She learned to blend traditional techniques with freestyle, and lift off the floor through aerial dance. Pole became a personal revelation for Mary, and she was compelled to share that experience with other women. For six years, she has taught hundreds of students throughout the Southern California region and helped them break through mental and physical barriers of their own. She currently teaches at Encore Dance Fitness in Santa Clarita and The Vertitude in Canoga Park. Coming from a competitive dance background, Mary was terrified of turning her new found passion and personal release into a stressful experience. However, in 2010, she took the leap and entered her first pole competition. She came away with a silver medal and realized that her passion was undiminished. Since that day, Mary has placed in each of the seven competitions she has entered. In 2013, she pushed herself to new levels of creativity and athleticism to become the Pacific Pole Champion.