Our Teacher Trainers

Olga Tamara

Director and Principal Teacher Trainer – Authentic Pilates Education
Director – Authentic Pilates Studio
Certified – New York Pilates Inc
Certified - Romana’s Pilates
Diploma Of Professional Pilates Instruction – 91491NSW
Cert 1V -TAE40110 / TAA40104
PAA Member – Principal Trainer
PTA Board member

Olga Tamara is founder and Principal Trainer of Authentic Pilates Education International (APEI) teacher training program and the director of Authentic Pilates Studio. Olga first experienced Pilates during her years as a professional classical dancer with the Australian Ballet Company from 1971 to 1976. After retiring from the Ballet Company, Olga went on to be a certified personal trainer / fitness instructor in 1980. In 1986 she opened “Designing Moves” teaching body-conditioning classes and managed the corporate gymnasium at “Carlton United”.

She also taught movement classes to aspiring young actors as well as freelancing as dance coach at McDonald School of Performing Arts.

Olga trained in several Pilates studios over the years however it was when she experienced “classical / authentic Pilates” at the “Pilates Method Studio”, that she found the true essence of the method as developed by Joseph Pilates. Impressed by the authenticity, quality and integrity of the Pilates Method of Body conditioning (“Contrology” as Joe called it), Olga was motivated to undertake a fully comprehensive Pilates teacher training course and became a certified instructor of “The NY Pilates Method” and “Romana’s Pilates” (True Pilates).

Olga manages her own studio in Lilyfield NSW Australia as well as facilitating teacher training seminars in APEI Teacher Training Courses in Australia, New Zealand and Korea. She also presents workshops nationally and internationally and produces the APEI Pilates Conference biennially.

Katie Agnew

Katie is the director of Authentic Pilates and Physiotherapy and a teacher trainer with Authentic Pilates Education New Zealand (APENZ).

Katie received her BHSc in Physiotherapy in Auckland, NZ in 1994. She was certified in Authentic Pilates in 2001, at Joseph Pilates New York Studio, under Master Teachers Romana Kryzanowska, Sari Meija Santo and Juanita Lopez. Combined with Katie’s more than 20-years’ experience as a physiotherapist, she teaches a wide range of clients, from pre and post spinal surgery through to professional athletes and Cirque Du Soleil artists.

While living in the US, Katie’s experience included working as a physiotherapist for Cirque Du Soleil, at a leading sports clinic and teaching Authentic Pilates.

In 2003 Katie returned home to New Zealand to practice physiotherapy and to open her own Authentic Pilates studio. As the most experienced New Zealand teacher of Authentic Pilates in the country, Katie also lectures both locally and internationally to share her knowledge and passion for the method. She regularly attends continuing education and conferences

Her sporting background is in Rhythmic Gymnastics which she started at the age of 9. Katie won many National titles and represented NZ in multiple international competitions from 1986 – 1991. She competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games and 1987 – 1991 World Championships.

She now combines her medical, sporting and Authentic Pilates background to educate, prevent injury and integrate total body wellbeing.

Authentic Pilates & Physiotherapy Ltd

www.AuthenticPilates.co.nz

Eve Fairbairn

APEI Mentor and level 2 Teacher Trainer Victoria
Certified Authentic Pilates Education International Instructor
Diploma Of Professional Pilates Instruction
Peak Pilates Level 1 Master Instructor
Certified Peak Pilates Instructor

Eve Fairbairn (Marie-Eve) was first introduced to Pilates at a professional dance studio in Quebec City in her jazz and modern classes but really pursued her love for the discipline of Classical Pilates once in Melbourne. This is where she fully trained as an instructor with Peak Pilates and also became a Level 1 Master Instructor with them.

To further her profession development and gain greater knowledge and abilities, she entered the Authentic Pilates Education International bridging course. With her vast experience teaching skills, Eve was recruited as a mentor for the APEI certification at APM.

As Eve’s journey as a Pilates instructor evolves, her goal is to be working with athletes of all ages. She feels that classical Pilates is a great avenue to develop greater strengths and abilities for the practice of a sport at an elite level whether it is tennis, golf, football, ski or any other sport. It is also a great way to help with injury prevention.

Marda Willey

Marda Willey is a 2nd generation Pilates teacher. She certified with NY and Romana’s Pilates and has a Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction 91491NSW and TAE40110 C1V in Training and Assessment. She is also an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSA). Marda has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement, Diploma of Education in Physical Education, and Certificate of Remedial and Sports Massage.

With Post Graduate studies in Dance and Movement and Exercise Sports Science, Marda has the perfect blend of understanding human movement and bio-mechanics along with traditional Pilates training.

In 1997, Marda was one of the first in Australia to train in the Authentic NY Pilates method. In July 2010, she was granted teacher trainer status with Romana Pilates.

Marda undertook to direct her own Sydney based Pilates studio in 1997, was the Vice – President of The Pilates Alliance Australasia from conception in 2001 and in 2010 she stepped out of that role to became Continuing Education Officer. In 2012 she retired, leaving behind a new group of inspiring committee members.

In 2009 Marda moved back to Victoria, to be close to her family. After a few years of freelancing in a variety of Pilates Studios, Marda will soon be studio manager and Senior Instructor at Authentic Pilates Melbourne (opens in 2017) . Marda is a PAA principal trainer and teacher trainer in Melbourne for APEA.

Marda has continued to develop her skills in breaking down the exercises within all methods of Pilates and creating a sound basis for the ‘why do the exercise’ question. She has a special interest in bio-mechanics of the human body within exercise and more specifically the Authentic Pilates Method.

Deborah Spencer

Originally from the UK, Deborah Spencer has dedicated her life to fitness and wellness. With a degree in Sports Science from Loughborough University, she began her career managing private health and fitness spas, progressing into roles training spa managers and certifying personal trainers.

Her passion for movement led her into sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation — stepping stones that ultimately guided her to Pilates. After moving to Sydney in 2000, Deborah began her Authentic Pilates training under Cynthia Lochard, studying directly with Romana Kryzanowska.

From 2005, her global journey as an expat took her to Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Ghana, Dubai, and South Africa, establishing Pilates studios in each country. Along the way, she deepened her knowledge, learning from renowned teachers such as Sari Mejia Santo, Jerome Weinberg, and Anthony Rabara. While in Dubai, she became a teacher trainer for Romana’s Pilates International.

In 2021 she moved to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where Deborah now runs Precision Pilates Academy, offering workshops and masterclasses that honour and preserve Joseph Pilates’ original method.

Nicole Smith

Dancing and horse-riding are natural lead-ins to classical Pilates—and Nicole excelled in both areas, reaching her teaching exams in dance and becoming a Pony Club instructor and Dressage judge. While dancing and riding are no longer among her activities, Nicole maintains her involvement with horses, breeding and showing Arabians.

Before her career as a Pilates instructor, Nicole gained certification in personal training, group exercise and massage, and worked for many years in those disciplines.

Nicole has trained under some of the best classical Pilates instructors. As a Romana-trained Pilates Method teacher, she also holds comprehensive certification by Peak Pilates, is certified by Clare Dunphy, studied under Alison Percic and is certified with Authentic Pilates Education International (APEI).

Knowing the importance of maintaining her skills and updating her teaching techniques, Nicole attends workshops and seminars, and participates in on-line forums with other instructors. Her clients benefit from the subtle changes in her instructing that come from Nicole’s continuing education.

Nicole’s love and enjoyment of Pilates are evident in her teaching and she is keen for her clients to learn Joseph Pilates’ original method of body conditioning, that he called ‘Contrology’, as a complete way to fitness and health.

Nicole is the owner Classical Pilates Studio in Brisbane, and is a faculty member of APEI hosting the APEI certification to train aspiring Pilates teachers in her studio on QLD.

Jaeryeong (Jenny) Jung

Jenny was motivated to enter the world of fitness and sports as she watched her father as she was growing up by her father perform as a master of Artistic gymnastics and later, a physical education teacher.

Jenny was privileged to accompany her father when he was invited to National Sports Festival in Korea as a referee. During the festival she witnessed one of athletes thrown off from a hurdle resulting in a sever injury. It was at this point Jenny became interested in remedial exercise as well as strength training. After graduating from uni, she continued to try various sports/exercise studies and found that Pilates was so effective in rehabilitation, that she decided to train as an instructor. Early 2000 Jenny received her first Pilates certificate in Korea.

Jenny became a freelance lecturer/ teacher at various studios and schools for several years, and finally opened her first studio in 2013.

Jenny opened her second space in 2016. She lectured at the 2017 Busan International Medical Tourism Convention, on the topic of Baruncheokchu (healthy spine) Pilates. Jenny continued promoting the benefits of Pilates by lecturing at various institutes including The National Police Agency and The Public Prosecutors’ Office.

The deeper Jenny delved into the Pilates technique, the more questions she had. She became curious about “classical” Pilates. Jenny’s curiosity took her to Sydney Australia where she searched/visited Authentic Pilates Studio and too numerous private sessions. After some detailed sessions with Principal Teacher Trainer of the Authentic Pilates Studio, Olga Tamara, Jenny enrolled in the APEI Teacher Training Program to master the technique of Joseph’s authentic Pilates.

“Olga’s work ethic and dedication showed me that teaching is not just a “job” but a “real passion”. My exciting goal from now is to produce excellent and better instructors through the APEI Teacher Training program who can then go on to the Classical Pilates method”.

International Guest Teachers

Brooke Siler

She opened her award-winning Manhattan studio, re:AB Pilates, in 1997 and was quickly embraced by Hollywood’s A-list from Madonna to Dustin Hoffman. “Brooke gave me the best workout I’ve ever had in my life!” Kirsten Dunst, Actress.

Brooke is best known for penning the New York Times’ best-seller The Pilates Body, which has become the highest grossing Pilates book of all time. She has followed it with titles: Your Ultimate Pilates Body Challenge, The Pilates Body Kit, The Women’s Health Big Book of Pilates and the Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners dvd.

Brooke has been seen in hundreds of national and international publications from Vogue and Glamour to the New York Times and was the first-ever recognized Pilates instructor chosen for the cover of Pilates Style magazine. In addition, she has appeared on multiple dozens of news and lifestyle programs world-wide.

After moving to the UK in 2015 for her family, Brooke still teaches independent classes, workshops, courses and conferences and sits on the board of the Authentic Pilates Union, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the authentic work of Joe Pilates. She has remained at the forefront of the Pilates community for more than 20 years because she remains fiercely passionate, purposeful and authentic in her work.

Miguel Silva

Born in OPorto, Miguel Silva inherited the taste of the father for physical activity from an early age. He practiced several outdoor sports as handball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, Cycling, Swimming, Surfing and indoor sports. During his years in the UK, Miguel Silva starts practicing Yoga, increasing his interest in an entirely different concept of the human body.

Back in Portugal Miguel Silva began to study of Alternative Medicine, specializing in Shiatsu – Japanese massage technique – and later in Spain – Seville (current city of residence) – the technical improvement.
It was while in Seville, Miguel had his first contact with the Pilates method.

The need to know more about the Pilates Method led him to several Pilates courses and workshops until he met the Master teacher Fabien Menegon of the Spanish School. After successfully finishing his formal training. Miguel Silva has also on to complete one of the world most recognised classical (Authentic Pilates) programs in Vintage Pilates Los Angels, with Pilates elder, Jay Grimes.

Thanks to his talent and dedication to the method, Fabien Menegon invited him to become an intrigal part of the studio and to teach the teacher training course at his School of Pilates.

Passionate about the Pilates method, a member invited by several institutions, co-owner of Pilates Universe and pedagogical director, carries out some of his dreams of implementing the Pilates Portuguese School and spreading the original work of Joseph Pilates “contrology”!
Miguel Silva’s workshops are becoming increasingly popular thourghout Europe with his style or presentations and deep knowledge of the work.

Jean Claude Neilson

Born in Munich, Jean-Claude Nelson entered the Academy of Music at the age of 7 to study classical and modern ballet. After receiving his state diploma, he was directly engaged by the Bavarian State Ballet and soon after moved abroad to dance as a soloist with the London City Ballet, the Ballet of Monte Carlo and the Ballet of the Opera of Lyon.

After intense international touring, Jean-Claude suffered a serious knee injury that forced him to interrupt his career. In this difficult period of life he started to study the Authentic Pilates Method.

He began his training in The Hague with Marjorie Oron and worked with Romana Krysanowska ,Sari Meija Santo, Sabina Formichella among many others. He received his diploma in 2006 from the internationally renowned master teacher Romana Krysanowska (True Pilates New York, Romanaʻs Pilates).

In 2012, he decided to return to his home city of Munich to found the Bluebird Pilates Studio.

Jean-Claude has produced a series of Pilates videos that brought him worldwide recognition.

He is giving workshops through Europe, Asia, North and South America.

Mejo Wiggin

MeJo began her Pilates study with Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska in 1990. She was fortunate to study with many renowned teachers including Sari Majia Santos, Kathy Grant, Jay Grimes, and Bob Liekens. By 1995 she was teaching next to Romana at Drago’s Gym in NYC and was later certified by Romana in 2003 as a Teacher Trainer for Romanas’ new school, Romana’s Pilates.

MeJo is recognized as one of the leading practitioners in the method, and is considered one of Romana’s protégés.
Romana often referred to MeJo’s work as “Poetry in Motion,” and she awarded MeJo with a Gold Card in 2002 for her advanced abilities.

MeJo is featured in over five DVD’s, including the Romana’s Pilates Mat Series, Romana on Pilates: The Legacy Edition, Pilates Revealed with Jay Grimes, and her own videos: 20 Minutes Twice a Week and The Gratz Arm Chair. She is also a featured teacher for Pilatesology.

While running her own studio for 13 years in Greenwich, Connecticut, she became sought after. Her keen eye and skillful hands-on approach, has changed hundreds of bodies. She has also applied the Method to help students suffering from injuries, scoliosis, back pain, and many other conditions. MeJo’s work quickly gained popularity, and soon doctors from the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in NY referred their patients to her for rehabilitation pre and post surgery.

Today, MeJo is a strong advocate and example of the Classical Pilates Method. She is sought after for her captivating seminars in the United States, Europe, and Russia. MeJo’s mission is to continue teaching and inspiring students and instructors worldwide in the Classical Pilates Method in her teacher program program, The Pilates Syllabus.

Simona Cipriani

Simona Cipriani directs Authentic Pilates Studio, The Art of Control®. She is a Teacher/ Trainer with the USPA, and a Certified Instructor of the Authentic Pilates Method for more than 18 years. Simona studied extensively with Romana Kryzanowska at Drago’s Gym in New York City, where she taught by Romana’s side for many years.

A former dancer for more than thirty-five years, Ms. Cipriani started performing professionally at the age of fourteen in Italy, and continued to dance throughout Europe and the United States. Simona has worked with many dancers, athletes and movie actors such as Glenn Close, and others in the Westchester and Connecticut area for the past 18 years.

Simona Cipriani studied at Juilliard and holds a B.F.A. in Dance from SUNY at Purchase, and has been a faculty member of SUNY Purchase since 2006. She is a licensed massage therapist in Connecticut and New York State.

Simona was a member of the massage therapy team at the Olympics in the Athens Summer Games in 2004, and the Torino Winter Games in 2006. She was also the massage therapist for director Darren Aronofsky during the production of “Black Swan.” Ms. Cipriani has co-written two articles with Dr. Joseph E. Muscolino on Pilates that have been published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies and co-written three articles with Dr. Muscolino for Pilates Style Magazine.

Simona is a Feldenkrais practitioner and is a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City in July 2009 as a Health Counselor. Currently she is traveling throughout the USA, Europe and Australia to teach seminars and host workshops. She is a member of the AMTA, FENA, NCBTMB and APU.

Brett Howard

Brett Howard is the Director of Education and the Senior Teacher of Teachers of the United States Pilates Association™. The United States Pilates Association™ is a licensee of the Authentic Pilates™ Method of Body Conditioning, as well as the New York Pilates Studio® Teacher Certification Program- the first and oldest Pilates professional training program in the world.

Brett Howard was certified by the New York Pilates Studio® Teacher Certification Program under the tutelage of First Generation/ Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska in 1998, he has been a Teacher of Teachers for the program since 2003. He has trained extensively with First Generation/ Master Teachers Mary Bowen, Jay Grimes and Lolita San Miguel, as well as Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Sari Mejia Santo and Steve Giordano. He is a PMA Certified Pilates Teacher and is on the PMA Pilates in the Schools committee. He is featured in the Pilates book, The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning by Sean P. Gallagher and Romana Kryzanowska.

Brett Howard is recognized in the Pilates industry as an expert in the Joseph Pilates Archival Exercises, and teaches them around the world. He also specializes in continuing education courses focused around Authentic Pilates™, Anatomy and Biomechanics and Special Needs Populations.

Brett Howard holds a M.A. in Dance Education from New York University Steinhardt School of Education, Culture and Human Development and a B.F.A. in Dance from S.U.N.Y. Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. He has studied in Anatomy and Biomechanics, training under Irene Dowd, Lynn Martin and Sean P. Gallagher.

Gloria Gasperi

Gloria began her Pilates journey in Boston in 1999. After exploring many courses, she discovered the depth of true Classical Pilates in the United States and went on to complete her comprehensive teacher training with Clare Dunphy Hemani.

With a lifelong background in sports and fitness, Gloria is now fully dedicated to Pilates, teaching from her own studio in Sarzana, a charming seaside town in Italy. She has also furthered her studies through the Vintage Pilates Master’s Program with Jay Grimes, Sandy Shimoda, and Karen Frischmann.

Gloria’s mission is simple yet profound: to keep growing in her own Pilates practice while contributing to the development of Classical Pilates across the globe.

You can train with Gloria at Studio Pilates di Gloria Gasperi in Italy or follow her journey on Instagram @glopilatesmotion.

Joel Crosby

Joel brings over 30 years of experience as a fitness trainer and more than 25 years as a dedicated Pilates teacher. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional fitness approaches, he is passionate about re-educating people in how to move and exercise with efficiency, strength, and joy.

At his Vitality Method studio, Joel teaches with precision and enthusiasm, showing clients how to move dynamically and powerfully while minimizing risk of injury.

His work spans a wide range of individuals—from professional athletes and Olympians to people with special needs—and he consistently finds that the original Pilates method enables them all to achieve greater functionality, resilience, and power.

He also conducts yearly Contrology teacher training certification programs and provides continuing education to instructors internationally.

For Joel, the greatest reward is helping people unlock their potential and inspiring them to achieve more with their bodies—a mission that makes every day in the studio deeply fulfilling.

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