Instructor Trainer bios
The members of our esteemed team of Pilates Instructor Trainers are accomplished and internationally sought-after educators known for their comprehensive knowledge, dedication and professionalism. Each hold full certification in the STOTT PILATES® method and have achieved additional designations to complement their training.
A diverse group, they come from varied backgrounds including physical therapy, exercise science, athletic therapy, dance, and group and personal fitness training to name a few. Every member of the team strives to uphold the highest standards of training that have been developed worldwide.
Darcy McMurray
Floating
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels
Bio
With an extensive background in dancing and a fascination with the intricacies of the human body, Darcy easily embraced her Pilates practice when she began studying it in 2001 at the Merrithew® Corporate Training Center in Toronto. By 2003, she was asked to join the company as an Instructor Trainer and her career took off with international travel to represent Merrithew as an Instructor Trainer at workshops and exams. She also played an intrinsic role in the development of Merrithew’s DVDs, manuals and other course materials for STOTT PILATES®. She continues to attend workshops and study anatomy to further deepen her understanding of mindful movement.
David Freker
DFX Pilates
Sacramento, California, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP
Additional credentials and designations
ACE Personal Trainer, BS and MS in Electrical Engineering
Bio
With Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering, David worked for fifteen years designing computer chips for Intel Corporation. He was first introduced to Pilates in 2000 by a Physical Therapist as a cross training method for cycling and mountain bike racing. With a strong technical background, he was fascinated with the precision, biomechanics and effectiveness of the method. He pursued instructor training with several organizations before choosing the STOTT PILATES® method and becoming a fully certified instructor. Passionate about Pilates, David changed career paths and became a STOTT PILATES® Instructor Trainer in 2004. After teaching the program in Northern California for several years, he founded DFX Pilates which serves as the Merrithew® Licensed Training Center for the Sacramento region. David became a Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer in 2016.
Deborah Degano
Berliner Pilates
Berlin, Germany
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer
Additional credentials and designations
B.A. in Ballet & Modern Dance from the Dance Academy in Milan, Italy; Musical Fitness Instructor for F.I.F. (Fitness Italian Federation); Professional Theatre Acting Diploma
Bio
Deborah discovered Pilates while obtaining a professional degree in Ballet and Modern Dance from the Dance Academy in Milan, Italy.
She started her STOTT PILATES® training with Merrithew® Lead Instructor Trainer Claudia Fink at Pilates Italia® and in 2009 moved to Germany where she continued to focus on her Pilates education. In 2011, she became a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor and immediately founded the Berliner Pilates Studio, where she enjoys training clients of all levels in the vibrant multicultural environment of Berlin.
She became a Merrithew Instructor Trainer in 2019, specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork & Reformer. In addition to teaching Pilates and running her studio, Deborah is still passionate and active in many dance performance projects that are regularly presented at the independent art venues of Berlin.
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Debra Hunt
Floating
Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels, ISP; ZEN•GA® Mat & Equipment; Merrithew® Fascial Movement
Additional credentials and designations
BA Dance, Mills College
Bio
Debra began her journey with STOTT PILATES® after experiencing 18 years of chronic pain from injuries sustained in a car accident. She immediately took a liking to the STOTT PILATES method, realizing it was the only modality that actually worked to heal her body. Becoming a Full Certified Instructor in 2005 and an Instructor Trainer in 2006, her STOTT PILATES training is complemented by a background in dance and gymnastics. She is now a Merrithew® Lead IT.
She works with people in all states of health, wellness, recovery and restoration, including high level athletes. Debra was chosen to work with touring Cirque de Soleil performers in 2013, and in 2014 she began to travel annually to Korea to provide STOTT PILATES professional training for enthusiastic Korean students.
Debra revels in learning about new, innovative mind-body modalities and anatomy. This is exemplified by her enthusiasm and leadership in ZEN•GA®, Merrithew Fascial Movement, and other mindful movement modalities. She has been immersed in the study of fascia for over ten years and is consistently successful with client concerns, addressing complex dysfunction through a fascial lens.
Denise Carter
Floating
Nassau, Bahamas
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels; Total Barre®
Bio
Denise has always had a love for fitness and after many years as a personal trainer in the exclusive Lyford Cay Club in Nassau Bahamas, decided to explore Pilates. After extensive training in Toronto, Canada, she returned to the Bahamas and opened a Licensed Training Center for Merrithew® in 2005. Denise is a fully certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew and has travelled from Australia to Italy to train future instructors in the STOTT PILATES® method. Denise currently teaches Pilates, Total Barre®, Pre and Post Natal exercise, Post Rehab movement and Active Isolated Stretching from her studio in Nassau, Bahamas.