Teacher Training

Hello, my name is Traci and I am a reformed party girl and sugarholic.

While I have chosen to leave my toxic lifestyle behind, I refuse to live a life that is anything less than indulgent. I am a lover of food, music, animals, dance, sex, nature, travel, heels, and big rugged men that resemble lumberjacks, but not necessarily in that order.

I began my dance journey in 2008. As a bit of a kickboxing-yogi-junkie-tomboy in a corporate, male-dominated career I was drawn to pole dancing as a way to express my feminine side.  One class and I was hooked! Impressed at the amount of athleticism involved and  shocked at how natural exotic movement came to me, I couldn’t get enough. I felt free. I felt liberated. I felt like me.

With a fresh new addiction to a not quite yet emerging industry I sought out the world’s top pole professionals and instructors to train with. Soon after, Dollhouse was born.

As the founder of the first pole studio in the area, It’s been exciting to lead the way for the local pole community by creating unique and innovative programs, producing celebrated shows, and collaborating with world-renowned pole and aerial artists to bring the hottest moves and best instruction to San Diego, all while implementing the latest industry safety practices and procedures.

My biggest accomplishment is the thriving sisterhood of supportive women that my space and philosophy has attracted. I am inspired daily by the diverse group of beauties that dance with me. Watching them grow as dancers, acrobats, and friends melts my heart. My clients are open-hearted empowered bad asses who allow little ole moi to unlock, embrace, and embody the sexy goddesses they really are. Meow.

I’m just a country girl in 8” heels. Born and raised in rural Virginia, I grew up hiking, camping, floating the river, gardening, riding horses, and playing in the woods. My parents raised me to be capable, confident, and un-apologetically myself. They instilled two important things in me during my childhood: 1) That I was loved unconditionally and 2) that I could do or be anything I wanted. I strongly believe this foundation of self-love and acceptance was the very beginning of my journey to find Dollhouse.

After college, I left Virginia and moved to New York City. I spent 2 years working as a graphic designer, partying in Manhattan, and learning there is a fuck ton more to life than my small town childhood had shown me. I developed a deep appreciation for diversity, culture, art, music, food, and travel. I spent two years broadening my horizons and then headed west to California. Although I have traveled extensively and lived abroad multiple times since, I now consider Encinitas my home.

It was in 2013 that I finally found Dollhouse. I was 30 years old and dealing with another devastating break-up. I was convinced I was never going to find anyone who would love and appreciate me the way I knew I deserved. Enter Dollhouse. After one class, I was not only addicted to pole, but in complete awe of this community of women who were so strong, sexy, powerful, kind, and supportive. I knew I never wanted to leave. I had found not one, but a whole tribe of people eager to love and appreciate me and who I could love and appreciate in return.

I completed our Instructor Certification in 2017 and nothing has brought me the same kind of joy as being part of the Dollhouse team. At the start of 2019, I took the position of Community Manager at the Encinitas location. It has been a dream come true to work daily on maintaining the sacredness of this community and spreadie-ing the Dollhouse messages of self-love, inclusivity, and the strength & beauty of all women.

My wish for you is that this certification not only deepens your pole practice, but also deepens the love and appreciation you have for yourself and our entire Dollhouse family!