Kate E. Gaga is an experienced dancer, pole artist, and professional educator; as well as the founder and owner of Ascension.
Qualifications:
Health, safety, and general fitness
American Red Cross First Aid and CPR
ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Superfit Hero Body Positive Trainer
In Progress: Biomechanic Body Assessment Methods Certification
Dance modalities
ElevatED Pole 1 (April 2018)
XPert Pole Dance Certified Instructor Level 1 + 2 (June 2016)
Vertical Joe’s Twerk Technician Certificate (May 2018)
Cleo’s Rock’n Spinning Pole Beginner-Intermediate (May 2018)
Liquid Motion Level 1 Licensed Instructor (April 2017)
Liquid Motion Level 2 Licensed Instructor (June 2019)
Higher education
B.S.S. in Holistic Health Sciences (focus on Exercise Physiology) – Ohio University
Minor in Dance – Somatic Studies – Ohio University
MEd in Higher Education (focus in student development and pedagogy) – Ohio University
In progress: J.D. – Concordia University School of Law
Biography:
Looking back, it isn’t that surprising.
From enjoying song and dance from a young age, not fitting the profile for a ballet dancer, and joining both a Hungarian Folk Dance company and a Scottish bagpipe band before the age of 15, Kate has always had a taste for making an audience cheer, laugh, and “ewww…”.
A classic Meyers-Briggs ENTP, Kate has dabbled in many interesting hobbies and art forms, including becoming a pirate at a renaissance fair, developing a teenage drag king persona, coaching a collegiate synchronized swimming team, and memorizing popular music video choreography down to the last hip thrust.
In 2013, after a large life event and enduring a personal trauma, Kate dove deep into the world of pole dance, burlesque, aerial hammock, and various other circus art to find themselves again. This hobby has turned into a calling and Kate E. Gaga decided in early 2015 to start making the transition from weekend circus performer to full-blown explorer of the worlds of performance, education, social justice, and athleticism and the many ways they interact with one another.
Movement and Choreography Background:
Soloist and group choreographer (2008-present)
Pole Performance Team Coach (2016-2017)
Ohio University Synchronized Swim Coach (2008-2013)
Principle dancer – Csardas Hungarian Dance Company (2003-2010)
Substantial experience in jazz, modern, belly dance, burlesque
Casual experience in hip hop, irish step, ballroom, swing, partner acro
Honors:
2019 Emerald Pole Championships Floorwork and Low Flow Level 4/5 – Bronze Medalist
2019 International Pole Convention – Selected Performer
2018 United States Pole Dance Federation (USPDF) – Finalist (Novice Level 2)
2018 International Pole Convention – Selected Performer
2016 Northwest Pole Championships Entertainment Level 3 – Gold Medalist
2016 Northwest Pole Championships Exotic Level 3 – Bronze Medalist
2016 Northwest Pole Championships Freedance Level 3 – Gold Medalist
2016 National Pole Championships Entertainment Level 3 – Bronze Medalist
2015 Idaho Pole Dance Championship – Honorable Mention
2016 Pacific Pole Championships Entertainment Level 3 – Bronze Medalist
2015 Northwest Pole Championships Entertainment Level 3 – Silver Medalist
2015 Northwest Pole Championships Doubles/Groups – Gold Medalist
2015 Pacific Pole Art Championships Dramatic Level 2 – Gold Medalist
2015 Pacific Pole Art Championships Entertainment Level 2 – Silver Medalist