Sayaka Higashi, Pilates Instructor.
Sayaka is originally from Japan. Growing up she studied Japanese traditional dance, Jazz and Modern dance, and performed around the country. When she came to the US she started taking Pilates as a method of daily exercise, in addition to her dance training and has been hooked ever since. She believes Pilates is one of the most effective mind body exercise available today. Sayaka received her Pilates certification from Power Pilates in 2005.
Shanna Funk, Scarsdale Studio Manager.
Shanna graduated from the Art Institute of Seattle with a degree in Fashion Marketing. She brings to this position an extensive background in customer service and management.
Alexia Simmons, Pilates Instructor.
BA in Theatre, Texas Tech University. Certification: The Pilates Studio/Romana Kryzanowska, 2003.
Amanda Asmar, Pilates Instructor.
Amanda Asmar graduated cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College in 2009. She holds a BA in dance and a minor in Biology. She was awarded the “gold key” in dance and is the first in the department to graduate with a “Body, Science and Motion” concentration. Through this concentration she interned at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries located in NYU’s Hospital for Joint Diseases. Amanda has extensive training from The Martha Graham Conservatory of Dance where she received scholarships for summer intensives and participated in company workshops. She also demonstrated the Graham technique for former principal Graham dancer Alessandra Prosperi at Centro Nacional de Danza Contemporanea in Queretaro, Mexico. Amanda completed the Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification through Center for Movement in 2009. Amanda is very passionate about teaching the Pilates Method and loves helping her students reach their individual goals!
Andrea Lynne Balliette, Pilates Instructor.
Lynne Balliette has been a certified Pilates instructor since 1998, receiving her initial training from Romana Kryzanowska in New York, NY. She holds certifications from Romana’s Pilates, The Pilates Studio, and The Pilates Guild, and is a gold-certified instructor and member of the Pilates Method Alliance, an international professional association for the Pilates method. Lynne was the first full-time Pilates instructor in the Dance Department at Goucher College, Maryland, where she taught from 1998 to 2001. In addition to teaching Pilates in the US and abroad, she has appeared in television news programs, newspaper articles, and an instructional DVD on Pilates. Prior to her Pilates training, Lynne received an M.F.A degree in dance performance and choreography from the University of Michigan and danced and choreographed professionally in New York. She has studied anatomy and kinesiology with Irene Dowd, among others, and she completed a Master of Arts degree in movement science from Teachers College, Columbia University, in May 2009
Anna Moy, Pilates Instructor.
BS in Management, New York University. Certification: The Pilates Studio/Romana Kryzanowska, 2001.
Barbra Schneider, Pilates Instructor.
BA in Special Education, Lesley College. Certification: Pilates Comprehensive Certification Center for Movement, 2008.
Courtney Zimmerman, Pilates Instructor.
Courtney Zimmerman was born and raised in the great city of New Orleans, Louisiana. After high school, she went on to become a dance major at the University of California-Irvine, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree and graduating Cum Laude. While training in Southern California, a spinal injury ensued and led her to the discovery of Pilates. She received her certification in California before venturing out to New York City and has now been teaching at the Center for Movement since the Summer of 2007. She finds her work to be extremely rewarding and enjoys working with clients who are looking to benefit from what everything Pilates has to offer.
Jean McCabe, Pilates Instructor.
Jean McCabe is a former ballet dancer with the Joffrey Ballet of New York and the Stuttgart Ballet of Germany. She performed in a varied repetoire from "Swan Lake" to the "Taming of the Shrew" to "Mythical Hunters", while doing extensive international tours. Jean studied Pilates with the master teacher Romana, Joseph Pilates student and disciple. Jean enjoys performing in community theatre productions and does ballroom dancing. She brings her varied and eclectic background to her teaching. Jean has been teaching at Center for Movement for 10 years.
Jeannie Michaels, Pilates Instructor.
BFA in Dance, BA in Anthropology, SUNY Purchase. Certification: The Pilates Studio/Romana Kryzanowska, 2000.
Jennifer Ottati, Pilates Instructor.
Holds B.A. and M.A. in education from Manhattanville College. Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification through Center for Movement, 2006.
Jess Sandberg, Pilates Instructor.
Jess Sandberg began her pilates studies in California at the University of California Irvine. She studied at Irvine as a classical dancer and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from one of the top programs in the country. She also participated in a sports medicine internship in the schools athletics department. Pilates was the perfect compliment to her dance training, and something she learned to appreciate more and more. Upon arriving in New York City, she entered into Center for Movements instructor training program. Along with working as a physical therapist aide at a spinal and sports medicine office, she has been enjoying teaching ever since. Jess loves to be able to introduce the benefits of pilates and help her clients attain their personal goals. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of pilates training and taking each student to the next level.
Kristen Baker, Pilates Instructor.
Kristen is a classically trained ballerina through the Royal Academy of Dance and has studied under some of the most noted instructors in the nation. She holds a BS in ballet from Indiana University, where she also obtained her Pilates certification in 2005. She has since become certified in personal training through Hunter College and the American Council on Exercise. Kristen continues to attend seminars and classes to further her knowledge of Pilates, exercise science, and kinesiology
Lisa Duncan, Pilates Instructor.
BA in Exercise Sports Science, minor in Dance, Texas Tech University. Certification: The Pilates Studio/Romana Kryzanowska, 2003.
Marcia Green, Pilates Instructor.
BA in Music & Theater, Long Island University. Licensed Cosmetologist. Certification: Core Pilates, 2007.
Melissa Woyshner, Pilates Instructor.
Melissa began studying the Pilates Method as a student in 2004. She loved the results that Pilates had on her own body and decided to increase her understanding of the method by enrolling in a comprehensive certification program. In 2007 she completed Core Pilates Comprehensive Certification. In addition she has been certified in Pre-Natal and Post-Natal care.
Morwen Banq, Teacher Trainer- Center for Movement's Certification Program.
Dance Degree from France. Certification: The Pilates Studio/Romana Kryzanowska, 2003. Morwen joined our staff in 2003 and has proven herself as an accomplished and talented instructor. Morwen's commitment and passion for upholding the integrity of Joseph Pilates' method has not only lead her to become one of our most popular instructors, but has allowed her to become the head instructor for CFM's Pilates Certification Program.
Olga Maidan, Pilates Instructor and Gyrotonic Instructor.
Certification: Pilates, 2004. Certification: Sal Anthony's Movement Salon, Gyrotonic, 2007.
Patrick Garvey, Pilates Instructor.
Holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Antioch University, Ohio. Serves as a FDNY Paramedic. Completed certification through Core Pilates, 2008.
Simone Cardoso, Pilates Instructor.
Former Professional Dancer, Dance Theater of Harlem. Certification: The Pilates Studio/Romana Kryzanowska, 1997.
Stephanie DeNardis, Pilates Instructor.
BFA in Dance, The New School/Joffrey Ballet School. Certification: New York Pilates Studio, 2004.
Susan Uriarte
Holds a B.A. from Emory University, Pilates Comprehensive Certification Center for Movement 2006.
Tamara Williams, Gyrotonic Instructor.
Tamara was introduced to the world of Gyrotonics through her ballet professor and Master Trainer, Anjali Austin, in 2005. She continued her studies with several Master Trainers including; Gina Paolillo , Young ah Kim, Justine Bernard, and Leda Franklin. Tamara currently works with Urban Bush Women as an apprentice company member and has been teaching at Center for Movement for 1 year.
Tara Harrison, Pilates Instructor.
Tara graduated from Wagner College with a B.A in Musical Theater Performance with a minor in Dance and English. Her certification is from Center for Movement completed 2008. After obtaining several injuries including a labral tear in her hip Tara turned to pilates as part of her physical therapy and brings this experience to her teaching. Tara also dances and choreographs around the country.
Yael Lubar, Pilates Instructor.
Yael has studied ballet since the age of 5, and graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor degree in Dance Arts with High Honors, and a Bachelor degree in English with Distinction. While studying in the Merce Cunningham Professional Training Program on scholarship in New York City, she decided to obtain her Pilates teaching certificate from the Romana’s Pilates program, run by Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Mejia Santo. It completely changed and strengthened her body, making her fully aware of the benefits of authentic Pilates training, not only for dancers, but for everyone. Yael is absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to teach this wonderful and effective method at The Center for Movement.
Simone DeRosa, Pilates Instructor.
Simone DeRosa to Center for Movement in Scarsdale. Simone moved to NY as a teenager from Brazil to persue her love of dancing. She has over 10 years of Pilates teaching experience and trained directly under Romana Kryzanowska in the exclusive independent study program.
Jennifer Ottati, Pilates Instructor.
Holds B.A. and M.A. in education from Manhattanville College. Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification through Center for Movement, 2009.
Nicole Baltes, Pilates Instructor.
Nicole grew up in Southern California and began her Pilates training in 1998 after sustaining a variety of injuries resulting from dance. Pilates offered her a way to rehabilitate from these injuries, as well as to continue to maintain her life as a dancer. Having over 20 years of training in all styles of dance, Nicole has performed both concert and commercial work throughout the Southern California and New York areas, has taught and choreographed, and was a cast member aboard a Holland America Cruise Line. After moving to New York in 2004, she continued her Pilates training and performing. As a way to bring together her love for Pilates, movement and teaching, Nicole received her Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certification as well as her Advanced Mat Certification through Core Pilates NYC in 2009. She is very passionate about the abundant benefits that Pilates can bring to everyone and always looks forward to sharing this passion and excitement with her clients.
Luiza Bateldes, Pilates Instructor.
Luiza Bateldes is a professional dancer with over 15 years of teaching Ballet. She holds an associates degree in Dance, and has been involved in fitness her entire life. She has comprehensive pilates certification through Romana's Pilates with over 1000 studio hours.
Heidi DePante, Pilates Instructor.
Certification Pilates Studio 2007. I have always maintained an active lifestlye by incorporating Pilates, running and dance in my daily routine. I take great pride in motivating and helping others understand the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.
Brooke Broussard, Pilates Instructor.
Brooke Broussard became interested in Classical Pilates because of her love of indepth
study in biomechanics. She has spent her entire life studying the body as a technician and
approaches her understanding of the body as an artist. After spending 9 years as a principal
dancer and founding member of the successful modern dance company, Shen Wei Dance
Arts, Brooke progressed into pilates to further foster her passion for studying, healing, and
maintaining the human body. She is certified through Power Pilates of New
York and has been teaching for over 3 years. Her approach to teaching Pilates is sincere and energetic. Brooke has helped several of her clients with their personal ailments by influencing them with her knowledge gained during both her pilates training as well as her life training in dance. Her goal is continue to gift others with the knowledge and joy she has found in Pilates and hopes to further her life as an artist by creating contemporary dance
