Stella Melina isn’t here to fit the mold—she’s here to break it wide open. With a deep curiosity for the body, mind, and soul, Stella challenges the old stereotypes of pole dance by blending diverse movement styles and creating a welcoming, judgment-free space where students can truly explore, express, and connect.

Teaching since 2011, she brings both heart and expertise to her classes as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a Pole Fitness Alliance Certified Instructor and Master Trainer. Her work invites students to move beyond tricks and into transformation—using pole and expressive arts as tools for self-discovery and healing.

With roots in cheerleading and over 20 years of movement and dance experience—including yoga, ballet, salsa, martial arts, Pilates, contact improv, and more—Stella’s movement background is rich and wide-ranging. A native of the American Southwest, she made her way to Los Angeles where she trained as a semi-professional salsa dancer before diving headfirst into the world of pole in 2009.

Stella has since taught and performed internationally, choreographed captivating performance pieces, and collaborated with some of the most influential names in the global pole community. She’s bilingual (Spanish/English) and offers classes and performances that are physically challenging, emotionally resonant, and creatively inspiring.

What sets her apart? A willingness to explore the full spectrum of the human experience through movement—light and shadow, joy and grief, power and vulnerability. A seasoned performer and self-proclaimed introvert, Stella transforms on stage, using pole dance as her language to communicate the beauty and complexity of being alive.

For those drawn to movement as a form of personal storytelling and inner exploration, Stella Melina offers a practice that speaks to the body, mind, and soul with intention and artistry.