Instructor Trainer bios

Leslie was a 15 year professional dancer when she was led to the STOTT PILATES^® because of an injury and credits the method for prolonging her career. Leslie became a Certified Instructor in 1997 and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2002. She was most recently awarded the designation of Merrithew Lead IT, which qualifies her to mentor other Instructor Trainers around the world. Throughout her dance career, she performed with the Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre and BODYVOX.

As a young dancer, she was a student of The North Carolina School of the Arts and was awarded the 1988 Peabody Scholarship Award for Excellence. Leslie loves utilizing her experience to train dancers, athletes, fitness clients and aspiring instructors. She has been co-owner of Pacific NW Pilates since its launch in 2001, and takes a primary role in managing and marketing the studio.

Formerly a professional dancer, Leslie was introduced to the STOTT PILATES^® method after an extensive knee injury and a multitude of surgeries ending her career as a dancer. Her familiarity with body movement and muscular strength made the transition to Pilates feel completely natural. She quickly advanced herself in the industry and is now a Merrithew^® Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in Total Barre^® and STOTT PILATES. She is a valued member of the Merrithew education team and presents on their behalf. Leslie continues to train both future instructors and private clients including Cirque du Soleil performers, NHL Players, Olympic athletes and is an adviser/instructor to “SpiderTech Kinesiology” Executives.

A native Brazilian, Leticia has been in the health and fitness industry since 2001 when she began dance lessons. In 2005 she was certified by UNIFIEO as a physical educator, but sustained considerable joint damage after teaching a large number of fitness classes. Leticia began her career with STOTT PILATES^® in 2007 to enhance her knowledge and use the technique for her own benefit. Realizing the benefits, she left the gyms and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2010.

A former Indonesian athlete in badminton and swimming, Lily became a STOTT PILATES^® Certified Instructor in 2004, and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2007. In 2012, she was named a Lead Instructor Trainer. She is also is Certified Redcord Active Instructor Trainer. Based at the Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Jakarta, Indonesia, this high-energy Indonesian native has traveled to present workshops and teach the STOTT PILATES method around the world. Lily’s vibrant and down-to-earth attitude has made her one of Indonesia’s most respected Pilates personalities. In addition, Lily is a regular contributor for leading health, fitness and women's magazines and a member of the advisory board for Pilates in SHAPE Magazine Indonesia. Teaching is a part of her never ending pursuit of knowledge as to what she believes “We learn so much more when we are teaching.”

Lisa first became aware of Pilates when she was 16 years old, but it wasn't until she joined ballet Memphis in 1999 that she was introduced to STOTT PILATES^®. She received her STOTT PILATES certification in 1999 and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®; specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer in 2009. Lisa has a BS in Ballet with an Outside Field in French from Indiana University. She danced professionally for 10 years with Louisville Ballet, Lexington Ballet and Ballet Memphis and was a guest artist with a number of smaller companies. Most recently, Lisa graduated from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in May of 2014 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and has recently relocated to the D.C. metropolitan area where she is working as both a Physical Therapist and a STOTT PILATES Instructor and IT. She is currently in an orthopedic residency program for Physical Therapy and is pursuing an orthopedic specialty license. Her continued education has enhanced and informed her teaching and personal practice.