Instructor Trainers

Melanie graduated with a degree in Physiotherapy from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and is a Merrithew^® Pilates Master Instructor Trainer for the STOTT PILATES^® Rehab Program. Specializing in orthopedics and manual therapy, she spent the next 10 years working as a physiotherapist at a private practice. In 1999, she became an IT teaching the full repertoire for STOTT PILATES Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, as well as Injuries & Special Populations. Melanie is one of few instructors in the United States instructing the STOTT PILATES Rehabilitation Series. Utilizing Pilates for the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, brings her the most joy in her career.

Melina graduated from the Dance University in Campinas, Brazil in 2005, where she studied classical ballet and contemporary dance. Her background made it easier to teach people how to understand their own body and create a good quality of movement. Currently studying Physiotherapy in Brazil, Melina started her STOTT PILATES^® training in 2010, and went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer in 2013. She added Cadillac, Chair and Barrels IT credentials to her resume in 2015, when she co-opened her own studio, Espaço Manawa. In 2013, she became the first Total Barre^® Instructor Trainer in Brazil. She continues to be an advocate of the STOTT PILATES method and the Five Basic Principles in particular.

Melissa started teaching group exercise in 1985, and was certified through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She eventually became a CEU provider for ACE, and certified in Personal Training and Spinning. Melissa continued her interest in health and fitness by becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant. In 1998, Melissa found STOTT PILATES^® and became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES in 2003. Melissa owns a studio in East Greenwich, Rhode Island and is also certified in Zumba^®, Yamuna^® Body Rolling, TRX^® and holds belts in Krav Maga, Budokon and MMA. Melissa graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor degree in Human Sciences, and from Bryant University with an MBA in Marketing. She holds professional certifications from the American Society for Training & Development, Seton Hall School of Law & Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Healthcare Compliance program, the Healthcare Compliance Association, Dale Carnegie Training, and an EMT license from the State of Rhode Island's Department of Health.

Melissa has always had a passion for movement and physical health, obtaining her Physical Therapy degree from Marquette University in 1989. She became certified as a STOTT PILATES^® Instructor in 2001 after working in a variety of clinical settings with a specialized focus on Geriatric Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Melissa became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® in in 2002 and is a Lead IT for STOTT PILATES. She continues to add variety to her repertoire by taking new workshops and integrating that material into her programming.

Melissa’s interest in Pilates began while she was at university in Singapore. Someone recommended Pilates as the best way to improve her posture and tone her muscles, and from there, her journey began. In 2006, Melissa moved to Canada, where she completed the instructor training program at the STOTT PILATES^® headquarters in Toronto and earned her full certification.

Since then, Melissa has completed numerous other certifications including prenatal Pilates, Yoga Teacher training, Stretch Therapy, TRX, Surfset Fitness and Neurokinetic Therapy. Melissa has trained clients and managed studios in Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Melissa has gained a wealth of knowledge from many years of teaching, but her greatest joy remains sharing a passion for Pilates and functional movement with her clients and students.

Melissa Harrington is an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^®, specializing as a Lead IT in STOTT PILATES^®, who has been working in the fitness industry since 1995. In addition to teaching Pilates, she is a certified Yoga instructor and faculty member of YOGAspirit, a certified Holistic Health Counselor, NSCA certified Personal Trainer and an ACE Group Exercise Instructor. Melissa lives on the north shore of Boston with her husband and two stepchildren. She is known to bring a healthy dose of humor and warmth to her teaching.

Melissa's passion for movement in its many forms began at an early age with gymnastics, swimming, diving, and dance lessons. She trained in classical ballet and modern dance and has performed professionally in Minneapolis, MN and the Bay area. Melissa began studying Pilates in 2000 and found it to be a powerful supplement to her dance training. She began her STOTT PILATES^® training in 2007 and completed her full certification in 2012. In 2013, she became an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES. Melissa is trained in Injuries and Special Populations and loves working with people of diverse movement backgrounds and fitness levels. She believes that movement has the potential to heal the body and mind; her goal as a movement facilitator and teacher is to guide people toward greater freedom and joy in movement and to healthier lives.

Melissa is the owner of mind.art.core PILATES PERFORMANCE, rated the Chicago Reader’s “Best Of” Pilates Studio 2014, 2016 and 2017. Having received her training at the Merrithew^® Corporate Training Center in Toronto, she began teaching as an Instructor Trainer in Toronto, and is now a Lead Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® at her host site in Chicago. Melissa has taught throughout the US, in New Zealand and in South Korea. Melissa is proud to be an IT not only for STOTT PILATES^® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chairs & Barrels and ISP, but in Merrithew's other branded programs, Total Barre^® and ZEN•GA^® Mat. She has trained extensively in injuries and special populations, Pre and Post-natal, is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and the creator of m.a.c. Pilates for Kids! She has been highlighted in Wellness Magazine for her Pilates for kids program, on CTV’s Breakfast Television and is currently publishing a book. Melissa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre at York University in Toronto, and in 2010, received her Masters Degree in Contemporary Performance from the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University, specializing in Body Mind Centering Techniques and experiential anatomy. Her creativity is witnessed through her classes, which are innovative and challenge the boundaries of Pilates and functional fitness. From the novice to advanced, post-rehab to the elite athlete, Melissa is able to weave her knowledge of biomechanics with her creativity and energy, creating fun, efficient and transforming sessions. Melissa is active as a Movement Director for various theatre companies in Chicago and has written and produced a comedic web series about a Pilates studio, called, "The Studio." You can find Seasons 1 and 2 here: www.thestudiowebseries.com

Melissa Noble is a movement specialist focused on both the performing and the healing arts. In addition to her work as an Instructor, dancer and choreographer, Melissa is a Certified Instructor and Instructor Trainer for Merrithew^® specializing in STOTT PILATES^®. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, who has been assisting clients with injuries using therapeutic massage and Pilates since 1996. Currently on Faculty at the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance, she opened Bodycenter Studios in Washington in 1999, which became the first Merrithew Licensed Training Center in Seattle. After moving to Bloomington in 2007, Melissa opened Bodycenter Bloomington and started one of the first STOTT PILATES Certification courses in a University setting at Indiana University in the Dance Department.

Melissa first encountered STOTT PILATES^® rehabilitating an injury she incurred as a young professional dancer. Once retired from dance, she pursued a career in massage therapy specializing in brain/spinal cord trauma and athletics. She has worked with many national sports teams and both Olympic and professional athletes.

When her massage therapy career was coming to an end, she began training as a Pilates Instructor at Calgary Pilates in 2006. In 2007, she proceeded to open re:focus PILATES in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Her post-rehabilitation and athletic skills attracted the attention of the national biathlon and Nordic ski teams, and she proceeded to work as a strength and functional movement coach.

A move to Calgary enabled Melissa to finally pursue her goal of becoming an Instructor Trainer in 2016, and she's now Certified in Matwork & Reformer, CCB and Total Barre^®.