ED ANIEL (Creative Director)
Ed Aniel began his jazz training with Hotlegs and the Metropolitan Dance Theater at 18 years old. While taking a choreographer’s workshop, he was offered scholarship at Hotlegs. During this time, his teachers encouraged him to study ballet, leading him to enroll at the CCP Dance School where he was granted a scholarship as a danseur within one year. In between ballet classes, he continued his jazz education with the Danny Vincluado Dance Department and the Metropolitan Dance Theater, Hotlegs, Powerdance, and not long after, Adrenalin. He appeared in numerous TV shows, major concerts and was part of the European leg of the “Convention City of Manila” and has toured and performed in cities like Geneva, Paris and London.
In the mid-90s, Ed also began a successful career as a production designer creating props and costumes, and then moving into backdrops and elaborate stage designs for music videos, product launches and events.
Still a dancer at heart and upon seeing the rising interest in pole dancing abroad and its soulful benefits, Ed thought about introducing this form of exercise in the country. Using books and videos on pole dancing, he then incorporated his jazz moves with pole dancing tricks and created a cardio workout he called Jazz le Pole, which he first tried out on his jazz buddies in 2004. Since then, he has been unlocking the inner goddesses of many women – from the housewife to the corporate powerhouse.
Ed's 15-year experience as a top-notch production designer, his training as a danseur, his foundation in jazz and his 13-year stint with Adrenalin has allowed him to incorporate the disciplines of dance, design and showmanship with the pole to develop a hybrid performance style between theatrical art and pole dance. At the same time, he offers a unique, fun and effective workout for both men and women.
Today, Ed Aniel is the Creative Director of Pole Academy Philippines, the first and leading Pole Dancing School in the country that offers the best in Pole Dance/Fitness and Pole Art. Ed's former student (now associate), Eisa Jocson, won the title of Philippine Pole Champion in the recently concluded 2010 Philippine Pole Dancing Competition. Another student (now a PAP instructor), Merry Farnal, competed in the International Pole Star Competition and won First Runner-Up for Pole Art in June 2010.
Celebrities, foreign pole dancers, teachers and members of other pole dance groups have, at one time or another, studied pole dance under Ed Aniel.
MERRY FARNAL (Instructor)
Merry Farnal has been gracing the dance floor for over twenty years, taking her first classes at five years old. Merry gained an extensive background in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary dance during her study at Beyt-Cherner School of Dance, Israel.
She has appeared in major Philippine television shows and various local movies, events and concerts and is currently a senior instructor and performer of Pole Academy Philippines.
In June 2010 Merry competed in the International Pole Star Competition and won First Runner-Up for Pole Art.
