Instructor Trainers

Laurentia was trained in ballet and traditional dance at a young age and it is through her passion in body movement that she was intrigued to learn about Pilates. She received her STOTT PILATES^® certification in 2012 and became a certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2014. Along with the STOTT PILATES method, Laurentia is also qualified in CORE^™ Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training^™ and an Instructor Trainer for Total Barre^®.

In 1997, LeeAnn began working with athletes in the prevention, emergency care and rehabilitation of injury. She developed her passion for teaching during two years of instruction in the Athletic Training Program at James Madison University. But it wasn’t until 2004, after spending several years as a rehab integration specialist (as well as with working through her own struggles with Scoliosis), that Pilates emerged as a focus for her.

LeAnn since went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in 2007, specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. The same year, she joined Balance Pilates Training Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A.. She now possesses 25 years of experience working in the fitness industry, and continues to love sharing her knowledge and skills with future instructors.

Clara Chen had always been an avid Yoga practitioner. She was introduced to STOTT PILATES^® back in 2018. She was amazed at how STOTT PILATES helped her improve her posture and correct knocked knees. Her transformative journey inspired her to pursue Halo^® Training which enabled her to help clients improve their postural alignment. Clara Chen is now a STOTT PILATES Pre- and Post-Natal Specialist and she also became STOTT PILATES certified in Mat and Reformer in February 2022. She became a Halo Training – Part 1 Instructor Trainer in November 2022.

Leonieke Albreghs’ Pilates journey first began after undergoing a major surgery in 1999. Leonieke used Pilates as part of her rehabilitation after surgery. In 2000, after years of continuous studies and teaching in health clubs, she discovered STOTT PILATES^® and became inspired to further her education in the method. Building on her background as an aerobics, dance and school teacher in The Netherlands, she was keen to share with others the knowledge that had eased her pain. Leonieke’s extensive Pilates education and teaching experience began in 2008 while living in The Netherlands. She has since moved to The U.K. and has continued to share her passion for teaching STOTT PILATES.

It was not long after that Leonieke’s love, dedication and passion for educating others about Pilates encouraged her to become a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer in 2016 specializing in STOTT PILATES.

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.

Lisa, originally from the UK, is a former member of the British National Gymnastic Squad. Currently based in Sydney, she has been teaching health and fitness for over 20 years. She is a Merrithew^® Instructor Trainer specializing in STOTT PILATES^® and CORE^™. She is also a registered fitness leader in Australia, an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Physiologist and an Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA) Level 4 Professional Practitioner Member. Lisa teaches STOTT PILATES courses and workshops in Australia and has her own Pilates studio in Sydney that specializes in private Pilates training.