Ellie Herman

Founder of Ellie Herman Studios

Ellie has been teaching Pilates for almost twenty years. She is an internationally recognized Pilates Instructor and author of eight Pilates books, including Pilates for Dummies. She also has a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

For more info about Ellie, click here for A Brief History of Ellie Herman

Brooklyn Instructors

Denise Vidal

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Denise was certified in Pilates instruction in 2005 and Standing Pilates Instruction in 2007 with the Physical Mind Institute, and with Balanced Body University in 2008. She has studied very closely with Doris Pasteleur Hall and Lesley Powell, CMA, while continuing her education with Irene Dowd, Eric Franklin, and Tom Myers.  Denise has danced professionally with the Pennsylvania Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and the New Chamber Ballet.  Currently, Denise is earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at City University of New York.

Anna Tibbetts

Senior Trainer

Anna began her career in movement when she entered the dance program at Marymount Manhattan College of Liberal Arts in New York City’s Upper East Side.  There she trained in both ballet and modern dance with a strong focus in the Martha Graham technique. After completing her B.F.A. in dance, she was introduced to the Kane School of Core Integration.  It was there that she discovered Pilates as an aid to better understanding movement in dance and everyday life.  When Ellie Herman decided to move her business to the east coast, Anna was part of the first teacher training program. Anna was certified and is currently a Senior Trainer at our Brooklyn Studio.

Liese Schneider

Certified Trainer

Liese originally engaged with holistic health work while searching for a sustainable, non-invasive remedy to the chronic foot and back pain she has suffered since she was a teenager. In the course of her successful therapeutic study, she graduated from Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2007 as a Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Liese studied Pilates under Ellie Herman, managed the Ellie Herman Studios in Park Slope for over a year, and was certified by Ellie as a Pilates Instructor.  She still teaches at Ellie Herman Studios and is also the fitness instructor at the Brooklyn Latin School. In her private practice, Liese specializes in foot and back injuries, therapeutic rehabilitation, youth, and general fitness.  She has worked with clients of all kinds – young, old, experienced or with special needs – to achieve strength, endurance, optimal body weight, balanced nutrition, and healthier lifestyles.

Devona Cartier

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Devona has been teaching Pilates since 2000. She is familiar with a wide variety of styles of Pilates, from the original choreography to rehabilitation.  Her focus in Pilates is to help clients move with better body efficiency, and fitness.  She can easily adjust to the learning styles, and personal goals of clients, creating work outs with a focus on stress relief and relaxation, or a driving brisk workout, and any where in between.  Devona has a real talent for pinpointing what creates an imbalance in the body and giving the client what they need to create balance, helping the client to understand how their body works along the way.

Tara Frederickson

Senior Trainer, Rehabilitation Specialist

Tara Schoch Frederickson is a certified trainer at Ellie Herman Studio.  She studied dance and theater at The Boston Conservatory, and started practicing Pilates after an injury.  She received her certification through STOTT Pilates, and has been teaching since 2001. She studied anatomy with Irene Dowd, and also has experience in Alexander and Proprioceptive Movement Techniques.   She is both energetic and patient, and is great for clients looking to hone the basics, as well as advanced students seeking to deepen their training.

Nicole Stephens

Certified Trainer

Nicole is a modern dancer and certified pilates instuctor. She completed her certification with Ellie Herman Studio, and also holds a Mat pilates certification with Power Pilates. She has a passion for discovering and sharing the complexities of the body, as well as the knowledge it gives us. Nicole aims to help people find greater body awareness while providing a challenging workout at any fitness level.

Ariel Cohen

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Ariel Cohen received her M.F.A. in dance from Smith College on a full tuition waiver and as a teaching fellow (2007), her a Pilates certification from the Ellie Herman Pilates Studio in San Francisco, California (2003) and has completed Lizz Roman’s rehab intensive in San Francisco, California (2003) and a 180 hour massage intensive through the Amherst School of Massage Therapy in Amherst, Massachusetts (2004).  She has taught Pilates to people of numerous populations including athletes, dancers, new mothers, MS and diabetes patients, the elderly, those diagnosed with osteoporosis, at risk teens, children diagnosed with autism and asperser’s syndrome and people with various disc injuries.  She has taught Pilates through the Ellie Herman Pilates Studio in California, and at the following locations in Massachusetts: Momentum the Pilates Center, Northampton Community Chiropractic and Wellness, Amherst Ballet, Pioneer Valley Ballet, John Dewey Academy, East Street ballet and Movement Resource.   Ariel has been on Faculty in the dance departments of Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College and Keene State College. In addition to teaching Pilates and dance, Ariel has performed with numerous modern dance companies and independent choreographers throughout New England, California, New York, Houston and Scotland.  She was invited through the American College Dance festival to perform a solo of her making at the Kennedy Center as part of their national gala, and was nominated for the ACDFA/Dance Magazine Choreographer’s Award.  Currently she performs with Wire Monkey Dance in Western Massachusetts where she dances on scaffolding, Niles Ford in New York and is the Co-Artistic Director of slipperyfish dance.

Chantall Brachmann-Scott

Certified Trainer

Chantall turned into a Pilates believer by experiencing it transform her own body. Being able to move free of pain, with ease, efficiency and confidence changed her life. This ignited her desire to share this method with others. Lesley Powell, Doris Pastelleur-Hall and Denise Vidal are her mentors and teachers and she certified through Balanced Body University.  Chantall works with a variety of clients: new and seasoned movers, special populations, post- or pre natal.

Chantall competed the intenSati (satilife.com) leader training with Patricia Moreno and is excited and grateful to bring this body sculpting workout and method of creating awareness and intention through movement to the Ellie Herman Annex.

Zoe Levine

Certified Personal Trainer and MELT instructor

Zoe Bowick Levine is a certified personal trainer and MELT instructor who specializes in pre and post-natal training and rehabilitative fitness. She has a degree in dance, is certified through the American Council on Exercise, and has been helping her clients reach their health and fitness goals for the past 8 years.   Her goal is to inspire and motivate people to move, bringing energy and health into all aspects of their lives.  In addition to training extensively with Sue Hitzman the creator of the MELT Method, she also recently enjoyed acting as the exercise specialist at Renew Physical Therapy under the guidance of women’s health specialist Isa Herrera and just this year has completed a Doula Training course.  Zoe is currently studying Craniosacral Therapy, and is always looking for ways to help people get out of pain and back into their lives.  She has been a dancer, yogi, and passionate student of the human body for most of her life and is part of a growing number of fitness professionals looking to redifine fitness. Fitness is no longer just about big muscles, superhero strength, and pounding yourself into the ground until you can’t walk the next day. Fitness is a body that is pain free, active, and healthy on a regular basis.

Benn Rasmussen

Yoga Instructor

Benn teaches Vinyasa Yoga classes and improvisational modern dance classes throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan.  He completed the teacher training at OM Yoga and holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota.  He is a firm believer in a holistic approach to ones’ body and mind.  As a professional dancer and a life long mover Benn appreciates and encourages movement, breath and passion in each person he meets.  Benn has five siblings and enjoys meeting new people, realizing the most fulfilled yogi or artist lives with the most exposure to all of humanity.  He hopes through his classes and art practices to offer an opportunity to each student or audience member the proposal to live a life closer to the truth, full of courage, clarity and compassion.

Ashleigh Altman

Yoga Instructor

With a yoga teacher for a mother, Ashleigh Altman has been surrounded by yoga for most of her life. Beginning her deep and dedicated exploration of yoga at an early age, Ashleigh is now honored to be the youngest Certified Anusara® Yoga Instructor in the world. She has been teaching yoga for over five years and maintained a playful and strong personal practice for nearly a decade.

In 2008, Ashleigh had the great priviledge of traveling with John Friend, Anusara’s founder,  both nationally and internationally while assisting him and his tour staff. Through this life-changing experience, she accumulated hundreds of classroom hours with John which empowered her to grow exponentially on a personal level as well as in her teaching. Ashleigh continues to study with John regularly throughout the year and loves the ongoing invitation and challenge to connect with her Highest self.  By remaining a student herself, Ashleigh is always discovering new and exciting ways to guide her students on this beautiful path of yoga.

Ashleigh’s classes are light-hearted, fun and powerful as she invites her students to connect with their Heart, empowering them to experience and celebrate the beautiful gift that every moment has to offer!

Ashleigh is deeply grateful to her many inspiring teachers including John Friend, Zhenja La  Rosa and Douglas Brooks and of course her mom most of all.

Katie Kapoor

Yoga Instructor

Katie is a registered yoga instructor with the Yoga Alliance and she completed her training through the Sacred Strength Yoga Education Program.  She also holds an MS in Social Work from Columbia University.  Katie’s lifetime interest in fitness and mind-body connection allowed her to discover yoga and she continues to practice it for the associated physical and emotional benefits.  Other mind-body therapeutic modalities that Katie follows include IntenSati, biking and running; however yoga, in particular, has had the most impact on her life and teachings.  Katie endeavors to impart transformational power into each one of her classes.

Anna Sheinman

Yoga Instructor

Anna teaches her students with instructions that are focused on protecting and honoring the body and connecting the breath with the movement. Her classes incorporate poses (asana) chanting, breathing (pranayama) and meditation; this multi-faceted approach allows students to experience many different aspects of yoga. The goal of the classes, is for all students to leave feeling energized, centered, and rejuvenated. Anna is teaching Astanga based power Yoga, Vinyasa Krama and Vinyasa.

Anna is 500 hour certified yoga teacher.
She has studied with Christopher Hildebrandt, Guta Hedewig, David Hollander, Dr. Jeffrey Rubin and Srivatsa Ramaswami, as well Dr. Edwin Bryant in the lineage of TKV Desikachar, BKS Iyengar, and K Pattabhi Jois. Anna completed a Yoga therapy intensive week with TKV Desikachar and Gary Kraftov at Yoga Journal Conference in 2009.

Robin Schiff

Certified Pilates and Alexander Instructor

Robin has been teaching the Alexander Technique for 20 years and began incorporating Pilates in to her work in 2004. She developed the Alexander Technique and Pilates programs at Brooklyn College for their Physical Education and Exercise Science Department where she has been teaching faculty and students since 2003. Other local institutions where Robin has taught include Mannes College of Music (regular and extension divisions), Kingsborough Community College and Elise Long’s Spoke the Hub. She maintains a private studio in Park Slope and enjoys working with a diverse range of students. Robin holds a BA in Music Therapy and certifications in the Alexander Technique (M.AmSAT, ACAT) and Pilates (Physical Mind Institute through Lesley Powell and Doris Pasteleur Hall).

Tracie Matthews

Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior Trainer

Tracie Matthews is a senior trainer and rehabilitation specialist at Ellie Herman Studio. Her professional training includes kinesthetic anatomy with Irene Dowd, Somatic Movement Therapy with Dr. Martha Eddy, as well as numerous professional continuing education courses with the PMA, ACE, Pilates Style and others. In addition, she is experienced in working with pre- and post-natal, clients in post-rehab, dancers and other professional movers. Tracie’s keen observation skills coupled with her effortless skills as a Pilates communicator challenge and nurture her clients through the Pilates exercises. She is always working to guide, inspire and challenge her clients through movement and the mind-body connection. Tracie strives to provide a quality and personal Pilates experience to meet the health and fitness goals of each person.

“In 8 months she’s completely transformed my body. …I can’t imagine anyone guiding you through it better than Tracie.” Sitij Agrawal

Beth Meluch

Apprentice Trainer, Studio Manager, Visual Artist

Beth completed Ellie’s teacher training program in 2008. She is also an award winning visual artist.

April Silverman

Certified Trainer

April became interested in movement when she realized that regular conditioning can not only aid in everyday life, but can enhance creative movement and breath. She studied Theater Arts at Portland Sate University and went on to complete a degree in Music at Hunter College in Manhattan. When April stumbled across the opportunity to be involved in the teacher training program with Ellie Herman at her Brooklyn studio, she was pleased to witness all of her educational skills come together. Pilates enforces and sharpens many important tools April used in dance, theatrics, and vocal performance. She learned to be aware of the body, breath, and alignment through an even more precise avenue. April uses this personal interest to introduce new clients to the Pilates world, as well as, challenge advanced clients to enhace their skills. April is always inspired to further her education and continues to take workshops in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Lauren Bernard

Apprentice Trainer

Lauren graduated from the University of the Arts in 2010 with a degree in Jazz Dance. Since moving to New York she has completed the Ellie Herman Teacher Training Program and is currently working towards her Pilates certification while continuing to pursue dance.

Meghan Frederick

Dance Teacher

Meghan has been dancing since before she could walk and is thrilled to be making a career of it in New York City. She grew up in coastal Maine and graduated from Hampshire College in 2007 with a self-designed degree in cultural studies. Meghan currently dances with the Brian Brooks Moving Company and is working on her Pilates Certification through Ellie Herman Pilates. Meghan is very excited to be teaching dance classes at the Annex; her class will draw from many current release techniques presented within a more traditional structure, ensuring that you get a chance to MOVE.

Steve Dowdell

Certified Trainer, Teaches Pilates for Men

Steve has been an avid weightlifter and cyclist since his teens, and as an older adult also trained in martial arts. He turned to Pilates in 2007 on the advice of a physical therapist, after a series of injuries sidelined him from his weight-training regimen. Thanks to Pilates’ focus on training the whole body in an integrated fashion, he soon recognized, and learned to correct the imbalances and lack of flexibility that 30 years of conventional athletic pursuits had wreaked upon his body. He was hooked. A writer and editor by profession, Steve also had “workstation jockey” postural issues that Pilates also quickly cleared up.



Freddie Pearson

Apprentice Pilates Trainer, Dance Instructor

Freddie Pearson is a movement artist, focused on the function and form of the human being, its motor performance and control earning his BFA in Dance from New York University. Studying under Pilates Elder Kathy Grant, Kinesthetic Anatomy with Irene Dowd and Lynn Martin, Dynamic Alignment and Imagery with Eric Franklin, Yoga and Qigong with Master Frankie Hart, and the list continues. For over 15 years Freddie has devoted his life to the study, discovery and sharing of faith, body, mind and spirit modalities. He is excited to offer to you Pilates training bringing health, healing and vitality to your reach so that you too may discover, grow and be your life purpose.

With great gratitude Freddie is here to offer his knowledge and training in Pilates and Kinesthetic Anatomy to serve you.

Oakland Studio’s Fabulous Trainers Amie Castaldo Certified Pilates Instructor, Massage Amie is former dancer and gymnast, and has studied movement and body work for the past ten years.  She is certified in neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release. She also studied Feldenkreis and Alexander technique. She completed her Pilates teaching training with Ellie in 2008. Melanie Clifford (no photo) Senior Instructor, Pilates, Rehab Melanie certified with Ellie in 2004, and has been studying and expanding her knowledge ever since. She has a personal practice of dance and yoga which informs her work. Yaira Carpenter Certified Pilates Instructor, Pre & Post-Natal Yaira’s movement experience comes from a diverse variety of dance, yoga, aerobic and strength training. She has practiced Pilates in the Bay Area since 2001 and certified with Ellie Herman.  Yaira has studied Pilates for Osteoporosis and  Pre and Post-Natal  Pilates populations. Zoe Fyfe Certifed Pilates Instructor, Dance and Barre Instructor Zoe is certified in Pilates through Ellie Herman and Balanced Body University, Zoe also has an MFA in dance and directs the dance program at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. Kirsten Gerding Pilates, Cardio Pilates Kirsten is a professional dancer and musical theater artist. She is certified in Pilates by Ellie and her teaching style tends to be both challenging and fun.