(She/Her) I first discovered pole dancing in 2007 not long after having my second child. I was a stay at home mom with two children under 2 and was in need of an activity that in the short period of ‘me’ time I was able squeeze in could 1) get me out of the house and give me a much needed mental break, 2) was able to get me back in shape without being boring, feeling torturous and much like a chore, and 3) be fun and exciting and make me feel ‘alive’ again. Not that having a family and two wonderful children made me not feel alive, the daily routine just gets monotonous and sometimes we just need a creative outlet to express ourselves with. I tried my first class, and instantly fell in love with this movement! Since childhood, I have always been drawn to activities that required me to be physically active like dance and gymnastics. So, pole dancing, which is a creative combination of the two, came somewhat naturally to me. Before long I was in the best shape of my life, making wonderful friends and coming home with a new found passion and vitality that made me feel like a more balanced person, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Once I 'filled my cup' I felt it made me an even better mother, wife, friend, etc. This discovery gave me, along with my wonderful friend Caroline, the passion and the drive to create Tiger Lily Vertical Fitness & Dance so that we could share our passion with others so they may benefit as well!

(She/Her) As a child I took classical ballet and gymnastics. I enjoyed the beautiful fluid movements of both art forms. As an adult, I found that a gym setting wasn’t the proper fit for me. I wasn’t sure my technique on the equipment was correct, which made me feel self conscious. Classes were large and without a personal trainer, I didn’t get the attention I needed. My membership ended up seeming much more like a donation to a club that I never went to. My first experience with pole dancing was in 2007 when a friend and I were searching for a fitness regimen that was different and had an emphasis on FUN! I found pole dancing exciting, with a hidden reward – an incredible workout! The setting was more my style too, a calming smaller group, with women much like me! I discovered that even though the horizontal ballet barre had been replaced with a vertical dance pole, the nostalgia of my youth came back in a more mature, sensual, empowering, and very beautiful way – I never expected anything like it! In 2008, I took a small break to have my 3rd child. Concerned about how the new baby weight would affect my ability to pole dance, I quickly discovered that with proper diet and pole dance fitness a few times a week, I am now in the best shape of my life!

Taking the step from student to instructor has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have made to date (along with motherhood and being a wife). Watching a student come in our doors for the first time, usually feeling unsure and a little nervous, it’s amazing to see how they blossom through each level. Pole dancing is my passion and as an instructor I am committed to being the best I can be. Together with my dear friend Sarah, we have built Tiger Lily so that other women can benefit just as we did!

(They/She/He) I think I came out of the womb dancing and have continued that love for dance throughout my life and into adulthood. I am a performer and competitor at heart and have been a part of many events, most notably: Prelude Dance Competition, World of Dance, Masterpiece Dance Competition, The Brass Menagerie, Riot Fest, LatinEsque, and locally: the Elgin Fringe Festival, Nightmare on Chicago Street, (PSO) Pole Sport Organization and (NAPDC) North American Pole Dance Competition. I found my passion for pole dance in 2013 at Tiger Lily and am excited to combine all of my dance, performance, and teaching experience to offer my unique style of classes at Tiger Lily!

Bio coming soon!

My burlesque adventure started in 2019. Before that, I was self-conscious and struggled to feel comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t feel comfortable in the typical gyms and couldn’t stick to at-home fitness programs. Burlesque opened up a whole new world for me. I found a glittery hideaway from the mundane and stressful outside world where I could begin to feel sexy and confident in my own skin. Now, I am performing in the ‘burbs covered in glitter and twirling my tassels with pride! 

As an instructor, I love to help others discover their inner diva with fun, flirty, and fast paced routines that they don’t even realize are a workout because we are having so much fun! I have seen how burlesque can make the most shy and timid lady transform into a powerful, body-positive, sexy queen. I can’t wait to shake and shimmy with you in class! Find me on IG @ CherryBomb.burlesque

Cheri’s aerial yoga journey has reignited her passion in seeing what her body is truly capable of. She first discovered this passion in her childhood as a  dancer and gymnast where her body was consistently pushed to its potential. Her favorite benefit of aerial yoga is the confidence it’s builds around her capabilities that she carries into her daily life. Cheri  facilitates aerial yoga classes to help others surpass their limiting beliefs and walk away feeling confident and ready to take on life! Cheri believes aerial yoga is beneficial to physical, psychological and physiological health and well-being. Find me on IG @cheriii_wilson_

(She/Her) From choreographing dance routines in my childhood bedroom to captaining my high school poms team, I have always been a dancer at heart. During college and my "rst few years out in the “real world,” I found myself with fewer and fewer opportunities to dance, and less and less motivation to exercise. That changed in the summer of 2021 when I found pole. I was hooked right away. I started taking lessons at studios in Denver, training at home, and looking for ways to get more involved in the pole community. Less than a year later, I started teaching online and out of my home, traveling out of state to perform, and organizing events locally.I am so excited to continue my pole journey at Tiger Lily teaching spin pole for students of all levels and abilities. I am passionate about creating a supportive, shame-free environment in my classes where students feel encouraged to practice their movement freely and reach their full potential. I can’t wait to spin with you!