
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 Caesars 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 dance schools in the US. Susan also studied with one the leaders in pole dance fitness schools in Canada and a prior pole fitness world champion. 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.
ActivewearUSA.com has brands and clothes I actually wear at my studio to teach. My inspiration to women to feel good from the inside out helps as well when I wear active-wear that makes me move gracefully as well as make me feel great with the workout clothes that help me feel positive about myself as well.