Lead Instructor Trainers

Adriana Rotella is a certified Lead STOTT PILATES^® Instructor Trainer, Holistic Nutritionist, and studio owner based in the Greater Toronto Area. With extensive experience in both movement and nutrition, she integrates Pilates and holistic wellness into her work with clients of all backgrounds.

Adriana has traveled globally to educate future Pilates instructors, teaching in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and has been featured in Merrithew^® DVDs and Merrithew Connect. Her depth of knowledge and dedication to the method continually inspire her students and clients to pursue personal growth and technical mastery.

In addition to working with professional athletes, rehabilitation clients, and general populations, Adriana provides integrated wellness guidance rooted in her nutrition certification. A valued member of the STOTT PILATES Academy Team, she has trained under several Master Instructor Trainers, including Moira Merrithew. Her natural passion for movement and healthy living is reflected in over two decades of experience in the fitness and wellness industries.

Amanda discovered Pilates through physical therapy following multiple knee surgeries due to a skiing accident. However, this twist of fate led her to discover her passion, earning her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2005. With nearly two decades of experience, Amanda has mastered the art of seamlessly blending the fitness and healing aspects of Pilates in her training. Her expertise extends from joint replacements to spinal injuries, alongside everyday minor ailments. Yet, amidst her therapeutic work, she leads dynamic classes focused on overall fitness.

As a Lead Instructor Trainer, Amanda cherishes opportunities to share her knowledge internationally, having taught instructors in Istanbul, Seoul and the United States. In 2016, she founded Conscious Education, dedicated to offering STOTT PILATES instructor courses, exams and education workshops in Denver. In 2024, she co-founded Conscious Pilates with Jacqui Pilkington, establishing a fully equipped STOTT PILATES studio.

Amanda first became STOTT PILATES^® Certified in 2004 and in 2005, moved on to become a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing in STOTT PILATES. She has an extensive background as a fitness instructor, and likes to combine her STOTT PILATES teaching with her successful personal training and sports massage business.

Amy was introduced to Pilates while completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree as a Dance major at York University in Toronto. After pursuing a career in modern dance she turned to Pilates for her next challenge. In 2004, she became a STOTT PILATES^® Fully Certified Instructor and was invited to work at the Corporate Training Centre in Toronto. Amy moved to Asia in 2008 where she spent 10 years in Singapore and now resides in Saigon, Vietnam. She continues to represent Merrithew^® as a Floating Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES, Total Barre^® and Halo^® Training. She has traveled extensively worldwide teaching courses and presenting at international fitness conferences such as FILEX in Melbourne/Sydney, Australia, China Fit in Beijing, FIBO in Shanghai, the Yonion Yoga Festival in Xiamen, China and the online World Wellness Weekend. Amy has also been featured on Channel News Asia AM Live “Fighting Fit” series, was a visiting Fitness Specialist at the prestigious Amanoi Resort in Vietnam, and has worked with the artists of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem. Amy currently is enjoying her role in Saigon as the Director of Education at CHI Pilates, where she teaches both clients and courses to students who are pursuing a career in the Pilates industry.

Angel is the Technical Director for Akro Studio and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® as a Lead IT who has worked in various Pilates centers in Madrid, Spain. He studied Occupational Therapy and leads the Rehab Pilates program at the European University of Madrid, where he works with individuals such as Diane Lee to guarantee the development of the STOTT PILATES curriculum within his latest research. Throughout his fruitful career, Angel has had the opportunity to work with several noteworthy professionals, including the renowned dancer, Victor Ullate, and is a recognized teacher and presenter all across Spain and South America.

Born in Hong Kong and educated in Canada, Anita moved to Shanghai in 1995. She is the co-founder of the Orange Room Wellness Centre (2006), a pioneer in Pilates education in Mainland China. Together with her business partner, Patricia Liao, she introduced the STOTT PILATES^® method to the region in 2012, thereby establishing the foundational framework for Merrithew^® education in the country. Their leadership has positioned the Orange Room as a leader in Merrithew training volume. Anita is one of the China’s first Instructor Trainers (2015) and currently a Lead Instructor Trainer. She teaches in Putonghua, Cantonese and English, and has had the privilege of mentoring numerous new Instructor Trainers in China and Hong Kong. She is dedicated to building a cohesive, skilled team of Instructor Trainers to uphold the high standards of Merrithew education in China for years to come.

Ashlee began her Pilates journey through rehabbing overuse injuries as an endurance athlete. She fell in love with the rehabilitative, but yet challenging aspects of Pilates. With the realization that Pilates was a tool that could help her remain active as she aged, she knew this was what she the direction she wanted to take her career. She took her first STOTT PILATES^® Training in 2006 and has been continuing her education in the field of health and wellness ever since, becoming a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer in 2008 and Lead Instructor Trainer in 2018. Ashlee took her education a step further and graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2016. Her professional interests include women’s health, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and working with individuals with chronic pain. She is passionate about continuously furthering her education and encouraging clients and students to realize their full potential.

In her free time Ashlee enjoys anything outdoors! Working on her Nebraska prairie is almost a 2nd full time job; In addition, she stays active with gardening, any adventure in a kayak or on a bicycle, swimming, backpacking and camping with her favorite adventure pup!

Bianca Bolissian has been a devoted dancer since the young age of four. This is exemplified by her graduation in 2004 from the Dance University in Campinas, Brazil where she expanded her knowledge of classical ballet and contemporary dance. In 2006, Bianca moved from Brazil to Toronto, Canada, becoming a fully certified STOTT PILATES^® Instructor by 2007 and moving further to become a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® Specializing in STOTT PILATES and Total Barre^®. Her passion for teaching and body movement is displayed by her outgoing and caring demeanor, always putting her clients first and providing them with an enjoyable and productive workout.

Brigitte started her career in the fitness industry more than 18 years ago working as a freelance personal trainer and aerobics instructor. After being exposed to Pilates for rehabilitation purposes, and finding it to be a perfect compliment to the high energy exercise she always enjoyed, she went on to become a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^®, ZEN•GA^® and Total Barre^®.

Carlos Yuste Vaquerizo's high energy and youthful humor makes him an impressive motivator, displaying his passion in all aspects of his work. He became a Certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^® in 2006, and CORE^™ in 2013. He has continually distributed his knowledge through teaching in Europe, South America and Asia. Carlos brings a high degree of knowledge to the forefront, with his advanced education and certification in physiotherapy from the University of Nursing and Physiotherapy of Castilla in Spain. Carlos continually strives for more and exemplifies his passion, as he is actively involved in management of the International Education Department of his affiliated studios. He is now a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer.