At Renaissance Pilates, our team of instructors proudly practice and teach Pilates while combining their own ideas and innovations of that of a Renaissance thinker. The Renaissance Pilates concept influence’s positive change in the body and in the mind. The instructor teaches the student how to achieve optimal results both physically and mentally through specific mind body connection exercises guided by creative cuing techniques. All Renaissance Pilates instructors are highly skilled professionals trained in STOTT PILATES™ and PILATES ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL and proudly dedicate their life work towards Pilates training, always learning and applying the newest research to their teaching technique
Julia Letarte
Julia Letarte graduated from the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business with a degree in Financial Economics and Business Administration. She is a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative by day and a passionate Pilates Teacher by night. Throughout her entire life she has been an athletic and enjoyed being active through playing soccer for 15 years. In her college years when her soccer career ended she found a new passion for running and is still an avid runner. Julia discovered Pilates in 2005 at Renaissance Pilates as a way to take her fitness to a new level and it was “Love” at first Teaser!! She quickly realized how effective and inspiring Pilates is and began to pursue her Pilates mat and apparatus certificate (including Pre Natal) in 2007. She dreamed that she would be able to share her passion for Pilates and become a teacher and inspire others as she had been. Julia trained and received her certificate through Pilates Academy International in NYC in mat and apparatus. She is a highly valued instructor here at Renaissance Pilates, and is recognized by many as having a strong and athletic teaching approach. Julia is excited to share her Love for Pilates through teaching the students at Renaissance Pilates.
Rona Shaw
Rona Shaw holds a doctoral degree in Education, preparing teachers to work with blind and visually impaired students. She has been a college professor for over 30 years and has published articles and books as well as presented at local, state, and national conferences on a variety of topics related to children who are blind or visually impaired. Rona discovered Pilates 5 years ago and its positive impact on her core strength, posture, balance, and flexibility influenced her decision to become a Stott certified Pilates instructor. Rona’s knowledge of the importance of verbal mediation for children with limited or no vision has made her keenly aware of detailed cueing of exercises to enable class participants to achieve body movements and to coordinate them with Pilates breathing. Rona also proudly specializes in a specific “Pilates for the Mature Core” workshop for the fabulous fifties and beyond which was created specifically for the Renaissance Pilates student. Her unique teaching abilities have added variety to the studio and her presence is very much valued here. As she leaves the world of the college campus, Rona is looking forward to expanding her skills in the Pilates field and pursuing a full time Pilates career.
Rona has recently become a part of the growing nation wide Pink Ribbon Program team of professionals and proudly holds a certificate of achievement as a Post Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist. She is proud to work with Breast Cancer Survivors and brings a very gentle and special quality to Renaissance Pilates.
Danielle Fleming
Danielle Fleming graduated from Towson State University with a Bachelors degree in Health Services Management and a minor in Nutrition. With hopes to pursue her career in wellness and exercise shortly after, she began practicing Pilates to keep her body balanced and energized. She followed through with her practice during her first pregnancy and was amazed at how Pilates helped her get back into tip top shape shortly after her daughter was born. Now, a full time mom to Isabella and Scarlet and devoted Pilates Instructor in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrel through Pilates Academy International (PAI) at Pilates on Fifth, Danielle has made teaching her passion. Danielle also obtained her Xtend™ certification and is part of the strong Xtend™ team of instructors quickly spreading across the country. Danielle has also obtained a fully certified Pilates palate to include Pre/post Natal and Special Populations.
Danielle Gerard
Danielle received her degree in both elementary and special education, and gained a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology. Danielle is a dedicated special education teacher at an elementary school in Summit,NJ by day and a passionate Pilates instructor for Renaissance bynight. Her natural ability to teach with special care and patience shines through in her teaching etiquette and skills, making her an exceptional Pilates instructor in all aspects. Danielle turned to Pilates to strengthen her core muscles and increase her flexibility. A long time runner, Pilates helped Danielle achieve a strong, flexible and lean physique. Danielle wanted to combine her love for teaching with her passion for Pilates. After five years as a devoted Pilates student at Pilates on Fifth in Manhattan and then at Renaissance Pilates, she became certified through Pilates Academy International in NYC, in both Essential through Advanced mat and apparatus. She also enjoys working closely with the Pre Natal Pilates and Special Populations students. Danielle is a part of the nationwide Xtend Barre™ Workout team and is proud to become part of the Xtend Barre™ team of instructors at Renaissance.
Abbey Bell
Abbey Bell has been a teacher most of her adult life. From running corporate teaching positions in NYC to educating children grades 1-8 on a sub time basis in our local school systems, coaching has been her love. Abbey Bell began practicing Pilates at Renaissance Pilates in 2003 as one of Danielle’s very first students. She became positively enamored with Pilates and the sense of accomplishment she felt from her practice, five years later, she decided to leave her corporate life behind and become a professional Pilates instructor. She holds all certifications from the Pilates Academy International from Beginner to Advanced in both mat and apparatus, including Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels. She has enrolled in numerous small prop workshops to enhance her overall teaching repertoire and specializes in Pre Natal on the reformer. She has been teaching both mat classes and private lessons at Pilates on Fifth since October 2006. Abbey joined Renaissance Pilates in January 2010, bringing her Pilates career full circle. The passion struck her again when she took her first Xtend Barre class in the summer of 2009 and decided she needed to add this amazing class to her Pilates spectrum. She became Xtend Barre certified in January 2010 and has been making great strides ever since.
Amy Stimpfle
Amy Stimpfle grew up in Utah and has been dancing for nearly 30 years. She has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, ballroom, tap, clogging, gymnastics and tai chi. Amy’s training with the company “Corps Espirit” spanned her childhood years through college. Corps Espirit is known for their work with many well-known Choreographers which proved instrumental as the group won several National titles. Amy became one of the youngest members of the Phoenix Suns dance team and spent three seasons with the the team. Amy has also worked with celebrity choreographer Jimmy Locust and has been a principle dancer in shows for corporations such as: Reebok, New Balance, Speedo, Compaq, and Mario Production. She’s also appeared in spots on MTV, ESPN and Bravo. Amy has educated young artists for over 20 years through guest teaching and choreography at studios, colleges, and high schools from NYC to London. Her most recent venture has become a pioneer Elite Instructor for the DanceBody™ Workout. The DanceBody Workout consists of dance fitness classes such as DanzEnergy™ Fitness, Yollet™ Technique and The SPICE Workout. Amy has been teaching at prestigious athletic clubs such as ELITE, Gold’s Gym, LB Kass Studio and is looking forward to sharing this unique program with others. Dance and fitness have always been a part of Amy’s life and she hopes to continue to influence others who share her passion for dance here at Renaissance Pilates.
