Leading a double-life: college student by day, pole dancer by night

Corey Piotter (top) twirls at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

Only a few years ago, Mizzou veterinary student Corey Piotter told her mom that she was going to go pole dance for around 15 hours a week. Piotter says that her mom warned her about the stigma, but that only made the challenge more enticing.

“She’s also her own little hippie self, and she said, I’m not gonna tell you no, you’re an adult, you can make these decisions," Piotter said.

"But be aware that there’s a stigma about it. And me, being kind of the butthead that I was, I was like, yeah! I accept this as a challenge! I’m gonna go sign up.”

Corey Piotter dances in a group number at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

She registered with Muse Pole Fitness, a Columbia studio that instructs a wide variety of skill levels. Piotter says that she knows about a dozen students who dance to an equivalent of a part-time job each week. They all have the option of auditioning to dance with professionals in shows like Vertical Desires at the Blue Note.

“There’s showcases, which is what’s open to anyone at Muse taking classes," Piotter said.

"You get to create your own piece, there’s a few group numbers, but you mostly have your own artistic liberties. And then there’s Vertical Desires, which is more like their professional, sexy show.”

Two students from Muse Pole Fitness pose in a group number at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

Piotter wanted an emotional outlet while staying in shape in school. She admired the dancers who could flawlessly lift themselves sideways and spread their legs completely open, backwards, and contort their bodies into a cornucopia of pretzel positions.

Corey Piotter dances in a group number at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

“I’m much more comfortable in my body now then I’ve ever been. You’re not judging your body based off how you look. It’s like, wow… I’m going to judge my body based off of what I can do. And I can hold my body sideways, so that’s pretty cool,” Piotter said.

She doesn’t care about the stigma, and knows that like every dance, each performer has their own backstory. She was also surprised by the reaction of some family and friends who are more conservative.

Instructor Jordan Mazur from Muse Pole Fitness performs in a solo number at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

“Really, I was surprised by how supportive, people who initially I thought, naw, they’re not going to be supportive of this. They turned out to be perfectly fine with it," Piotter said.

"I haven’t had to cut ties with people. I haven’t had to hide that aspect of my life completely.”

Students from Muse Pole Fitness pose in a group number at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

However, she knows this acceptance isn’t the case for the majority of dancers. As time goes on, she knows that she’ll be more open about pole dancing on every social platform. She says that she doesn't regret anything, not even the bruises.

Instructor Jordan Mazur from Muse Pole Fitness practices her solo number before performing at the Vertical Desires pole dancing showcase at the Blue Note on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.