While history seeps from nearly every pore of McFaul’s IronHorse Tavern in Parkville, much of what is concocted behind its bar and prepared in its kitchen is refreshingly contemporary. That combination has made it one of the most popular spots in Baltimore County since it opened in 2012.

Its location, on the east side of Loch Raven Reservoir, was home to a blacksmith’s shop in the 19th century and, in the ensuing years, housed a post office, a VFW hall, and ice cream shop. The iron horse name is a nod to both the train station that once was across Cromwell Bridge Road and to the late Ernie Tyler, the Orioles’ legendary umpires’ attendant who worked 3,769 consecutive home games between 1960 and 2007. (Cal Ripken Jr. called him “Baltimore’s true Iron Man.”) Newspaper stories about Tyler, who was co-owner Walter Glen McFaul III’s and general manager Nick Molinaro’s grandfather, adorn some of the walls.

A cozy, homey feel permeates the tavern, which includes several dining rooms (one with a fireplace), an outdoor space, and a bar in the back. The cocktail list changes three times a year, and when we stopped by in October seasonal flavors were front and center. A pumpkin Old-Fashioned, made with pumpkin butter from Weber’s Cider Mill Farm in Parkville, screams fall. A whiskey apple cocktail is prepared simply enough—Woodford Reserve bourbon is mixed with juice from fresh Granny Smith apples, poured over ice, and garnished with a dehydrated apple slice—but tastes like a revelation. It’s refreshing and warming at the same time, which is tough to pull off. An autumn mule is made using fat-washed butter rum, spiced apple bitters, apple cider, and lemon ginger beer.

Every seasonal cocktail we tried was terrific, but if cold weather favorites aren’t your thing, classics like a Cosmo and Sazerac are solidly made as well. Multiple kinds of mules, margaritas, crushes, and even oyster shooters are available, along with a solid beer and wine list.

New chef Fili Marin took over the kitchen in September, and the revamped menu reflects some of his sensibilities. We had never had fried devil eggs before, and the four chickpea crusted eggs filled with crab meat didn’t disappoint. Neither did the excellent smoked Old Bay wings, which were moist and pulled lightly from the bone. Other items, like a Peruvian half chicken, paella, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and beef pot pie, aren’t found on most bar menus, and we’re looking forward to trying them all.

McFaul’s draws customers from throughout the county, and on one of our visits, a Friday evening, the bar was packed and people were waiting outside for tables in the dining rooms. A guitarist was setting up to play in the bar area, and everyone who was drinking, slurping down raw oysters, or eating anything else seemed to be having a great time.

More than a decade after it opened, McFaul’s, like an iron horse—or iron man—is still going strong.

At Das Bierhalle, October is more than a month. It’s a feeling. Co-owner Scott Bauer visited Germany during Oktoberfest a decade ago, and the trip changed the arc of his life. In 2018 he and his wife, Melissa, opened a German beer hall in their hometown of Parkville, with the mission of bringing Deutschland’s famously jovial drinking culture to Baltimore County 12 months a year.

Visit their German-American fusion restaurant and bar on Harford Road (it’s in the old home of The Barn, where you may remember taking your first legal drink—or your last underage one) and you’re struck immediately by the diversity of the clientele. The lunch crowd comes to enjoy sandwiches like the brat and kraut grilled cheese or the Gerbano, essentially a Cuban with bauernwurst. Soon it’s happy hour, when any of the 32 rotating beers on tap are $6 for a half-liter or $9 for a full one.

Dinnertime includes plenty of families. When the kids finish off their last schnitzel finger (or something less continental, like wings or the excellent mac and cheese), grown-ups fill the bar and long tables to drink and jam to live music or a deejay or tunes on the sound system.

In the original location (there’s a second in Bel Air), the décor could be described as a melding of German and Baltimore aesthetics. A Ravens jersey with “Das Bierhalle” written across the back hangs next to shelves of beer steins. Hofbräu banners line the perimeter of the ceiling, on which hangs a Maryland flag with a Natty Boh face on it.

This attempt to blend two cultures is evident on the menu as well. Appetizers include all-beef Bavarian franks ‘n’ beans, sauerkraut balls, and currywurst. The majority of the sausages come from the legendary Binkert’s, but the Old Bay and cheddar jalapeño varieties are made in-house. Pretzels garner their own spot on the menu. They range from bites to king-sized and can be topped with everything from cinnamon sugar to pulled pork.

During one visit, our 12-year-old guest gave the plain old salted variety an enthusiastic thumbs-up, but if your palate is a bit more adventurous, myriad dipping sauces are available. Hot horseradish mustard was the best we tried.

About half of the draft beer lines are dedicated to German brews. They change frequently, but you’ll always be able to find a wide variety, like Schwarzbier, Witbier, and Kölsch, among others. In July, a grapefruit hefeweizen was on tap. In addition to the drafts, 120 bottles and cans are available. For non-beer drinkers, more than a dozen crushes are usually listed on the menu, but there’s also a crush of the month—and it can be wild. Pink Starburst crush and ice lemon cake have been featured in the past.

Weekends often mean themed trivia brunches. One week it may be Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the spotlight (as the Bauers have four kids under four, it explains the kid-themed brunches); the next may be an all-ages pajama party.

Das Bierhalle strives to provide something for everyone, and to that, we raise our glass and say, “Prost!”

IDENTITY CRISIS: My style is modern boho meets tropical jungleliciousness. I do whatever I want—I’m not conforming to the rules in design. I’m constantly proving to myself that I’m creative enough to get the job done without an interior design degree.

THE 1970S CALLED: My favorite pieces include a cobra chair—a big ’70s wicker chair with a huge high back that looks like the head of a cobra. I scored it on Marketplace for an unbelievable price. It’s a total unicorn. But my favorite are the disco balls. Nothing uplifts the serotonin more than the sun hitting the disco balls throughout the day.

FAMILY MEETING: We spend most of our time in the living room and kitchen. My husband, Hassen, is a fantastic chef and I love being in the kitchen with him. I usually sit at our little table while he’s cooking or help prep by cutting vegetables. It has great light so we put up shelves for our plants. The living room is where the whole family likes to hang, including our cats, Coconut and Catsy Cline.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING OLDER: I enjoy a little bit of everything. While I love vintage rattan/wicker—give me all The Golden Girls vibes—I also really like acrylic and ’80s-inspired items. I love that a vintage item has a past, and I often wonder what its story is.

NO BUYER’S REMORSE: I’m an impulse buyer. If I like it, I like it. Plus, if you’re shopping at thrift or discount stores, you must buy it immediately because it probably won’t be there tomorrow.

INSIDE OUTSIDE: I gravitate toward certain colors—pinks, peaches, yellows, teal, and mint—inspired by summer and tropical flowers. Spring and summer are our favorite seasons, so we keep that vibe year-round with color. When it gets warm, our backyard becomes an extension of our home. We flood it with hibiscus, portulaca, geraniums, snapdragons, and every other colorful flower we can find. Our outside becomes our little tropical oasis in Parkville.

You can follow Erika Bowen’s home adventures on Instagram @papillonbohemehome.

This is the perfect moment to shake off winter and get back out with friends and family. With its convenient location, Baltimore County is an ideal destination for travelers from afar or those who want to explore something new in their own town.

Life sure has had its ups and downs in recent years, but one thing has stayed the same: Baltimore County is a lively home to a wide array of activities to suit any interest. Our parks, restaurants, shops, recreational areas, and golf courses are open for everyone to safely enjoy.

In the following pages we provide you with information that is sure to inspire your next outing. Cuisine connoisseurs will appreciate a taste of all that we have to offer, from farm-fresh produce to world-class restaurants and wine from locally grown grapes.

We offer charming main streets for strolling, the perfect way to shop small. For families looking to reconnect, Baltimore County has outdoor adventure, arts, athletic, and recreational activities that will surely entice even the most reluctant in the family to put down that device and enjoy some fresh air.

It’s time to get back to play again. Whether you’re ready to pick up the game of golf, want to return to open air concerts, or are looking for a way to amp up your fitness practice (paddle pilates, anyone?), let Baltimore County welcome you with all we have to offer.

The construction of the Milton Inn dates to the mid-18th century and it began its life as a coach stop for local Quakers. It is still a haven of hospitality in Baltimore County, only now it welcomes diners with discerning palates from all around the region.

“OUR LONG-TIME CLIENTS AND OUR NEW NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN SO ENTHUSIASTIC. ALSO IT’S NOT HALF BAD FOR A CITY BOY LIKE ME TO GET TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE OF NORTHERN BALTIMORE COUNTY EVERYDAY. ” — TONY FOREMAN

The announcement that the Foreman-Wolf Group were going to reopen The Milton Inn— its first restaurant in the county—created a shockwave of culinary joy.

Foreman-Wolf refreshed the historic building’s interiors and kitchen, opening the restaurant in 2021 under the guidance of chef and coowner, Chris Scanga. Today, The Milton Inn offers cuisine focused on the Southwest of France showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients from over two dozen of the mid-Atlantic’s finest farms and purveyors.

Looking to taste more of what Baltimore County offers? Try these delectable destinations:

THE TILLERY, OWINGS MILLS
Dine in on classic American fare and craft beverages or enjoy sitting outside, perhaps around the firepit.
thetilleryowingsmills.com

PERENNIAL, TOWSON
Enjoy Chef Jay Rohlfing’s innovative, seasonally-inspired menu and a “robust cocktail program,” right in the heart of Towson.
perennialtowson.com

LA FOOD MARKETA, PIKESVILLE
Chefs Chad Gauss and Johntay Bedingfield bring the same quality of its sister restaurant in the city, The Food Market, to Quarry Lake.
lafoodmarketa.com

SUNSET COVE, MIDDLE RIVER
This beach bar and restaurant with its perfect waterfront view is the place to enjoy long, warm summer days and evenings.
sunsetcovemd.com

THE HUB, CATONSVILLE
This food hall features cuisine from multiple vendors so you can sample everything from Korean street food to all things hot pot goodness. There’s even a Montessori-inspired kids play area.
thehubfoodcourt.com

BOORDY VINEYARDS, HYDES
Enjoy everything from a tour of the vineyard to food truck cuisine and farmers’ markets, all with a sip of wine from one of the county’s oldest vintners.
boordy.com

Catonsville became Baltimore County’s first state-recognized Arts and Entertainment District in 2020. The award was given by the Maryland State Arts Council, and it is easy to see why. Catonsville is home to a host of live music venues and shops—and places like Bill’s Music House and Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe that are both shops and live music destinations. Perhaps it’s no surprise the Maryland General Assembly dubbed it, “Music City, Maryland.”

But there’s more to Catonsville than just great music, and many of its charms are best explored on foot with a leisurely stroll down Frederick Avenue. Here you will find enticing places to shop small, such as locally owned antique shops, boutiques, and artisan food markets. And whether you need a restorative jolt of caffeine or a delicious meal to recharge during your saunter, Catonsville features coffee shops and restaurants to suit all tastes.

With Catonsville leading the way, Baltimore County is sure to continue its growth as a recognized center of arts and entertainment.

Looking for more places to stroll and shop local? Be sure to visit the county’s retail hubs:

TOWSON: The county seat features small shops, boutiques, and great restaurants.

HUNT VALLEY: While the energetic town center is Hunt Valley’s heart, don’t miss the small shops, garden centers, and markets along York Road.

REISTERSTOWN: From one end of Main Street to another you can pick up kids clothes at The Elephant’s Trunk, enjoy a coffee at Reister’s Daughter, and get ice cream, salon styling, and more in between

Do you have an aspiring golfer in your household or do you want to share your love of the game with a young person? The Fox Hollow Training Center (FHTC) in Timonium is the perfect place to start—or to get a seasonal refresher.

Golf is a sport a child can learn now and play for a lifetime. Since it’s noncontact, it’s a great way to exercise with less likelihood of injury.

At FHTC, children learn the game from trained professionals and are introduced to important life skills like integrity, sportmanship, and self-control.

The facilities at FHTC are top notch, including 60 hitting stations, three lighted putting greens, and practice bunkers. FHTC is routinely ranked nationally as a Top 50 Driving Range
by the Golf Range Association of America.

Now is the time to get in the swing of things, with special offers like professional instruction at reduced rates for juniors and reduced and/or complimentary access to any of Baltimore County Golf’s five courses for golfers 17 and under. Or take advantage of one of FHTC’s summer camps.

baltimoregolfing.com

Baltimore County has countless places to get out and connect with friends and family.
Here are just a few:

CROMWELL VALLEY PARK, PARKVILLE
Just minutes from Towson, this park encompasses 460 acres of stream valley and upland habitat, a combination that makes it perfect for birding. The nature center offers many programs or simply enjoy its hiking trails.
cromwellvalleypark.org

MARSHY POINT NATURE CENTER, CHASE
Sitting within a 3,000-acre nature preserve on the Upper Chesapeake, Marshy Point offers innnovative programs and exhibits for visitors, hiking trails, and Baltimore County’s first water trail for kayaking or canoeing!
marshypoint.org

BENGIES DRIVE-IN THEATRE, MIDDLE RIVER
Recapture a bygone era at Maryland’s only remaining drive-in theatre. Featuring the “biggest movie theatre screen in the USA,” Bengies is a great spot to enjoy the latest blockbuster.
bengies.com

PRIGEL FAMILY CREAMERY, GLEN ARM
At the scenic Prigel Creamery enjoy a scoop of chocolate peanut butter, caramel pretzel, or even a choose-your-own ice cream sandwich, while the farm’s dairy cows graze happily in their pastures. P.S.: They serve way more than ice cream!
prigelfamilycreamery.com

HAMPTON NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, TOWSON
In 1790, Hampton was perhaps the largest home in America. Today, the architecturally significant home and surrounding site offer a chance to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the complex history of our nation.
nps.gov/hamp

There’s no better way to spend a hot, humid summer day than lazing down the Gunpowder River in a tube. The always cool and shaded river winds its way by pastures and woodlands, meandering parallel to the NCR hike and bike trail. Tubing is the antidote for harried lives.

The Monkton Bike shop, housed in the historic Monkton village, offers tubes for rent for kids and adults. It has also marked two tubing routes accessible by foot. Simply walk north on the NCR trail and look for the blue tree markers to find the path where you put in at the river. When you coast under the Monkton Road bridge you’ve reached the end of your float.

The Gunpowder is generally tranquil and often shallow enough to walk and splash in, making it a perfect outing even with young kids.

Looking for more outdoor adventures?
Here are a few destinations to add to your summer bucket list:

LOCH RAVEN RESERVOIR
The protected woodlands around the reservoir feature 60 miles of hiking trails while its calm waters are perfect for kayaking.
baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/environment/watersheds/lrmain.html

NCR (TORREY C. BROWN) TRAIL
Whether you’re a runner, walker, or biker, the nearly 20 miles of trail following the meandering path of the former Northern Central Railway (NCR) offers optimal conditions. Just look out for tubers sharing the path on hot summer days!
dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/tcb.aspx

B’MORE SUP
Interested in paddle pilates? Or a board excursion with your pup? Whether you simply want to try staying upright in a begininers paddle board class or you’re ready for yogaflo on your board, the three locations of B’More SUP are here to help.
baltimoresup.com

ROCKY POINT GOLF COURSE
Go for par—which is 72, by the way—on this exceptional course set in meandering natural wetlands, the only waterfront course on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
baltimoregolfing.com/course/rocky-point

PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK
There are 200 miles of hiking trails inside the park’s more than 16,000 acres. See for yourself why the park is nationally recognized for its trail system and scenic beauty.
dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/patapsco.aspx

When Jim Phelan, a former jockey and pub owner, moved to Baltimore from his native Ireland 15 years ago and began looking for a home, he had one big must-have on his list: a perfect basement.

A home with a bar in the basement is hardly uncommon, but most wouldn’t have designs on transforming their basement into an authentic pub. Nor would they spend a couple months and several thousand dollars turning a bare space into a bona fide piece of the Emerald Isle on American soil. But lucky for one Parkville street, their friendly neighborhood Irishman isn’t most people.

“The worst part about owning the pub [in Ireland] was having to deal with customers,” says Phelan, who these days manages farm animals at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture instead of rowdy bar patrons. “I joked at the time that I’d love to have a house and just put in a private bar, so I don’t have to deal with all the hassle. So eventually when I came over here about 15 years ago, I decided that I would look for a place with a basement that was basically wide open, a blank canvas to build something like that.”

He found the future home of Phelan’s Irish Pub in a three bed, two bath, 1,334-square-foot house, where the entire lower level had been combined into one room. Just white walls, carpet, a fireplace, and an exit that led up a few stairs into the yard. And with inspiration from a few local pubs back home, Phelan set about designing his own. A bar along one wall, a stage where his band, The ShamRogues, could practice and play, and a pool table were the essentials.

“I just started doing it from scratch, and everything ended up being done by hand,” says Phelan. “My wife, Katie, and I did all the building of bits and pieces, like the bar and the stage and everything. My mother-in-law painted the place for me. So it was kind of a little family project between the three of us for a while.”

They created every part of the pub together, save for the floors, which were laid down by a friend. A group of friends then joined Jim to lend a hand when flood damage to the space required major repairs three years ago. And the DIY-ing goes all the way up to the mock tin ceiling.

“I had an idea to put in a nice tin ceiling,” Phelan says. “I knew nothing about that sort of a thing.” After doing some research, he discovered that the real tin tiles ran about $25 apiece, but a cheaper PVC alternative that could be cut at home had a nearly identical look. “I bought a hundred fully expecting that I would return them, that they wouldn’t look as good as they did online—like most things. But they arrived, and no one could tell the difference.” Instead of $2,500, Phelan ended up spending $600 on the project.

The result is a near-perfect replica of the antique tin tiles that came into fashion around the turn of the 19th-century. With the basement’s low seven-foot ceilings, visitors to Phelan’s Irish Pub can, and have, reached up to touch the intricate pattern. Still, they don’t believe it’s not tin. It’s just one of the many successful projects that the rookie DIYer took on to create his dream bar.

“I spent a lifetime riding horses, so I never did anything artistic or anything like that before. I kind of joked about it, because I have a wood-burning fireplace upstairs, and I was just going to go out, buy a bunch of two-by-fours, and worst-case scenario, I’ll just tear the whole thing down and I’ve got firewood,” says Phelan. “So I started from scratch, and bit-by-bit-by-bit it just started to come together. And the more I did, the more confident I got. I got pretty decent at it by the time it was all finished.”

Pretty decent is one way to describe it. Lucky friends and neighbors can take the outside stairs to a door under a glowing Guinness sign and enter a dim, welcoming space with felt green walls for a drink and good company. (To be clear, tempting though it may be, folks can’t just walk in off the street. This pub is private, and no one’s keeping a tab.)

While Phelan himself is a Bud Light man (“I don’t drink whiskey or spirits at all, which is not very stereotypically Irish.”), there are bottles of every type lining the back wall and plenty of beer on offer. And whether they choose to belly up to the handmade bar or gather around one of the high tops, there’s plenty of history to look at—or sit on.

The barstools were saved from Ryan’s Daughter, the shuttered Irish pub where Phelan had one of his first drinks in America. So, too, was the shelf on the left side of the bar, where eagle-eyed visitors might spot knickknacks and tchotchkes from the former Belvedere watering hole.

Phelan’s home has become a final resting place for relics from quite a few past pubs. As bars have closed, friendly owners who have hosted his band have gifted Phelan with glasses, mirrors, signage, and all manner of ephemera.

“There was one bar in Baltimore called Patrick’s of Pratt Street, which was the oldest family-owned Irish pub in America,” says Phelan. “They closed down four or five years ago, and Pat, the owner, I knew him very well. He gave me some lovely bits of pieces that had been hanging up in that pub for years and years. He wanted to keep them local, and he said that he’d like to have them in a pub. So he gave them to me.”

Everywhere you look, there’s a theme. One wall is covered with motocross jerseys, plaques, and trophies collected by Katie’s brother, Sean Simmons, who died shortly after the pub was completed. Another corner is dedicated to pieces Phelan’s brother sent over from his own pub back in Ireland, signs for Guinness and the like.

But the wall above the fireplace features the collection that Phelan is perhaps proudest of. Above the mantel, a custom-built cabinet (another DIY project, with a decal painted by a friend) houses 49 Preakness Stakes commemorative glasses—so far.

“They introduced the Preakness commemorative glasses in 1973, and there were only a few of them made that year because it was a brand-new thing. But it worked out that Secretariat happened to win the Triple Crown that year. He became the most famous American racehorse of all time. So from that, the glasses became very, very sought after and rare,” says Phelan.

He searched all over the country, eventually coming across a 1973 glass in excellent condition. When the cabinet was built, it housed just two glasses. Now, only the slot for 2022 remains. Phelan even had plans to have Secretariat’s jockey, Ronnie Turcotte, sign the original glass last year, but the appearance was canceled due to COVID-19.

“I’ve reached out to his team, and they’re going to let me know when he’s going to make another appearance,” Phelan says. “Wherever it is, I’m going to go and get that thing signed.”

Pandemic life slowed the stream of friends and guests that typically filled the space, but pre-COVID, the pub played host to birthday parties, New Year’s celebrations, concerts, and gatherings for races and game days. And with restrictions loosened up and vaccinations on the rise, the couple has slowly returned to hosting friends, even getting a few live bands back on stage. As we return to normal, Phelan is looking forward to living above a proper gathering place again.

“It’s nothing if you don’t have the friends around you,” he says. “The people make a great pub.”

When you hear the term “pole dancing,” the idea of achieving your fitness goals may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But Tegan Williams, owner of Xpose Fitness in Parkville, is looking to change that. After owning her studio for four years, Williams has taught countless students (ranging in age from 18 to 65) that pole classes have similar benefits to yoga and pilates and that they can be an amazing core and upper body workout. We decided to try it for ourselves and talked with Williams about her inspirational beginning, surprising clientele, and breaking down certain stigmas.

How did you get started at Xpose Fitness?
Out of grad school, I set a weight loss journey for myself. After I accomplished that goal, I was just looking for yet another challenge. I found Xpose Fitness on Groupon, and I just decided to try it. Surprisingly, I ended up really loving it! I became an instructor after about a year. Then, a year or so after that, the current owner approached me about purchasing the business, and I’ve owned it for almost four years now.

What kind of classes do you offer?
We offer five different levels of pole classes where we use isometric exercises to strengthen and tone. Our pole fit class is an all levels class where there’s no routine. You just work on strengthening. There’s also floor/chair, which is a combination of yoga and pilates moves with exotic dance. Tricks and spins is also an all levels class where there’s no routine, but it is more individually focused, so you can come in and let the instructor know which move you want to work on or improve. Our sexy stretch class is pretty similar to yoga, but it involves more active stretching. Finally, there’s our x-fit class, where we mainly use exercise balls and bands.

What is the recommend attire for classes at your studio?
It’s a little different for each class—anything you are comfortable moving in is fine. We do recommend barefoot or socks for sexy stretch and floor/chair classes and tennis shoes for x-fit. Heels are not really required, but if you would like to wear them, there are certain heel specifications we follow. Additionally, you can purchase heels at our studio if you’d like. For pole classes, we recommend above-the-knee shorts because skin helps you stick to the pole.

Who typically attends these classes?
We have mostly women, but we do have some co-ed classes. The typical age range is 18 years old to 65 years old. However, if you’re older than 65 years and you still want to come, I’d say come on and try. There are modifications for you.

How do you make people who’ve never taken classes like these before feel comfortable?

We really try to make personal connections. I always try to introduce myself to everyone that pops in the class. If you are nervous, I understand, you can bring a friend. In pole, a lot of people are really nervous because it is really different. We encourage people by reminding them that it is about them and their journey, and everyone else is on a different journey.

What are some of the exercise benefits?

You are definitely strengthening your arm, abs, and back. Even though we don’t have a lot of cardiovascular classes, any repetition of a movement is going to give you some heart-healthy benefits.

Do you have any success stories of clients?

We have a couple of clients that have been attending for about 13 years. They are some of the strongest women I know. They keep coming back because they love the way the feel. Other clients have lost weight from the classes, and some are training for competitions.

But I think my favorite success stories are the little ones. I had a client who doubted she could ever invert. I encouraged her to keep coming in and trying. A week after, she accomplished it. I have a lot of clients that have doubts here and there about if they can do a particular move and I always tell them, Wwe are just going to keep working on the muscles that you need for it.’

What are some of your favorite classes to teach?
I love them all, but I really love teaching tricks and spins. I especially love it because people come in and share their goals, and I can help them towards that goal.

What are your favorite songs to teach to?
It changes a lot because I love music, but lately it’s been “Bacon” by Nick Jonas and “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5.

What is the ultimate goal you want people to achieve at the end of a class?
I want clients leaving empowered and strong. Sometimes you leave with a new goal. I really try to turn ‘I can’t’ into ‘I can’ or ‘I can’t yet.’ Sometimes you go to a class—and I’ve been there—that’s really challenging, and you say to yourself I couldn’t do any of those things. I still want you to leave feeling like you can do them some day.

What would you say to someone who is a little apprehensive about taking pole classes?
I think 13 years ago, when the studio opened, there was a big hurdle to go over where pole dance was viewed as this really taboo thing. I think it is less of a taboo now. There are people who do pole for sport just like you would do gymnastics or ice-skating. That’s what we do here—we dance sexy, but mostly we want to be strong.

Also, if your barrier is that you don’t feel sexy or you don’t want to feel sexy, I’d say there’s probably an instructor for you. We have instructors that are sportier, instructors that are really sexy, and some that are moderately sexy. I didn’t feel sexy when I started, so I decided I just wanted to do it for the fitness. It took me a little bit to feel more comfortable doing sexier things. So I’d say, honestly, just try it. There’s someone for your style.