In June 2025, I will celebrate 30 incredible years as a professional dancer. Along the way, I've embraced many roles with passion and heart - movement director, dance coach, creator of The Body is Art Training and Lifestyle Method, author of Secrets of a Ballerina On Nutrition, and founder of several dance studios across Europe and the UK such as London's Professional Dance Schools Ltd., The London Studios ASD in Northern Italy, and Firebird Studio in Barcelona, Spain.
I began my professional dance career as a young ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada in 1995. It was a dream come true. However, after three years with the company, a difficult turn came when the newly appointed artistic director, James Kudelka, made the decision to reduce the company’s roster due to budget cuts. Like many others, I found myself redundant, a moment that was both challenging and uncertain.
In 1998, I relocated to Europe where I found a new opportunity and I became a member of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, Germany. But life had another unexpected challenge in store. Just two years later, I was involved in a severe car accident that left me with a broken neck, and injured foot, abruptly ending my daily life as a ballerina. The road to recovery was long and hard, but eventually it led me to something unexpected: pole dancing. This new dance form helped me rediscover my strength and self-belief. It reignited my passion for movement and self-expression, offering a creative outlet that helped me heal in ways I hadn't imagined. It was here that I found a new form of artistry - one that was completely different from my classical training, but no less powerful.
In 2003, I moved to London - the city I had always dreamed of living in. London was everything I had hoped for, offering a vibrant culture and endless inspiration. However, as a freelance dancer and teacher, I struggled to make ends meet. Pole dancing became my second passion and through the years of dedication I made history. In 2005, something truly transformative happened: I won both the UK and the first-ever World Pole Dancing Championships the same year. This achievement gave me the confidence to branch out on my own and begin teaching pole dancing independently.
By 2006, I was fully self-employed, renting space around London and sharing my love of dance with others. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world, teaching dance in many different countries and connecting with incredible communities of women from all walks of life. I traveled as a free lance pole dancer, creating my solo shows and performing on international stages across North America, South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East - sharing my art with people around the globe. My love for the sport earned me the “Instructor of the Year” award from the IPDFA in 2012. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of performing for Sir Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball raising funds for his AIDS Foundation, performing for the former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev for his Leukemia Foundation, performed alongside the beautiful Dita Von Teese at Erotica London, as well as building my own dance studios in London and in several European countries.
My journey is about more than just performing and teaching dance - it’s about creating spaces where people can grow, express themselves, and feel empowered.As an author, I've helped many dancers develop their skills for teaching dance through my Instructor Development Course certifications. Since 2010 I have had the privilege to have been an artistic judge on the panel of 29 dance competitions around the globe including the POSA Pole Sports and Arts World Federation, and World Pole Art Italy, having been able to shape the future of pole dancing. My commitment to improving the dance community has made me an active member of organisations such as the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO, the International Pole Federation, and Equity. I am a Level 3 member of the Register of Exercise Professionals and I was honoured with the “Pioneer Award” from the Pole Dance Community in the UK.
In September 2024, I felt a calling to return to London - to rebuild my community here and reconnect with the city that had always filled me with joy, energy, and a sense of freedom. London has always been a place where I feel most myself, where I can thrive, and where I continue to push forward with the drive to succeed. My greatest joy remains helping others discover their own strength and joy through dance. My heart is in everything I do - always striving to inspire, uplift, and empower those around me.
Through all the twists and turns, challenges and triumphs, I’ve learned that no matter the setbacks, there is always a way to rebuild, reinvent, and reconnect with the things that bring us joy. My journey has been one of growth, reinvention, and a deep love for movement, and I’m forever grateful for the lessons learned along the way.
My Wkipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elena_Gibson
My education:
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain; National Centre for Circus Arts, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain; The Hangar Arts Trust, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain; YogaWorks, New York City USA; The National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto;