INSTRUCTORS AT METROPOLITAN PILATES
DOROTHEE VANDEWALLE | Co-owner, Master Teacher
Dorothee VandeWalle is a master Pilates teacher and is recognized as one of the leading teacher-trainers and master Pilates practitioners in the world. Dorothee has been teaching Pilates for over 20 years and has trained individuals at all levels of fitness from elite athletes to injured and/or older clients. She started teaching in New York City with Romana Kryzanowska and was a teacher-trainer for Romana's Pilates for over a decade before starting her own training program. Dorothee teaches in the tradition of the original, authentic Pilates method. She enjoys teaching instructors and practitioners from all different backgrounds and believes that anyone can benefit from authentic Pilates training.
Originally from Belgium, Dorothee started dancing at the age of seven and was trained on scholarship at the Institute für Buhnentanz. She danced professionally for over ten years in Europe and the United States. She's been teaching in Seattle since 1993 and has had her own studio since 1999.
LAUREN ALBERT
Lauren Albert has been a certified Pilates instructor since January 2003 and has been training under the guidance and supervision of Dorothee VandeWalle since she began her Pilates journey in 2000. Lauren studied dance and fitness, and her clients appreciate her clear direction and sense of movement. She has been teaching at Metropolitan Pilates since 2003.
CHRISTOPHER BLACKBURN
Christopher Blackburn was trained by Dorothee VandeWalle at Metropolitan Pilates and was certified in the Spring of 2006. Chris is a trained gymnast and former dancer whose interests include nutrition and healthy eating. He loves teaching Pilates and enjoys making each workout fun yet focused and effective. Chris has been on staff at Metropolitan Pilates since 2006.
DARA DALTAS
Dara Daltas credits Pilates with changing her body. She has been training with Dorothee VandeWalle since 2009 and in 2011 completed her Pilates certification at Metropolitan Pilates. Dara graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Women's Studies and a focus in Psychology. Her interests include cooking and nutrition.
CLARE KENNELLY
Clare Kennelly has been teaching Pilates since 2002. Before relocating to Seattle, she taught in the Washington, DC, area and studied with Peter Fiasca and Pure Joe Pilates. At Metropolitan Pilates, she studied with Dorothee VandeWalle and was certified in 2008. Clare graduated from Smith College with a BA in Literature and a minor in Theater and Dance. She enjoys rowing, swimming and ballroom dancing.
CAROL MEACHUM
Carol Meachum launched into Pilates several years ago and never looked back. Carol is not only an enthusiastic spokesperson for how Pilates can change the shape of one's body, but how it can change one's outlook on life as well. Carol has been teaching since 2003 and her clients love and appreciate her special brand of unbridled enthusiasm.
RICK MORRIS
Rick Morris has been a student of Pilates since 1995. He completed his apprenticeship through The Pilates Studio and with Dorothee VandeWalle. He has taught at Robert Leonard, Pilates Seattle International and at the University of Washington Women's Center. Rick's exercise background includes cycling, hiking, street skating and running. Rick has been on staff at Metropolitan Pilates since 2003.
LEVI NORDQUIST
As a high school athlete and men's club volleyball player, Levi Nordquist was constantly looking for ways to become stronger and more limber. Pilates proved to be the method he had been searching for. An USAV volleyball player, Levi started Pilates after moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He earned his certification from Dorothee's M•A•T Pilates Program in 2013.
ANNIE PLANK
Annie Plank is a former National Champion Ultimate Disc player who learned the value of combining Pilates with sports. In addition to sports injuries, she also suffered from chronic pain for over 12 years. She found that Pilates was the most effective way to prevent injuries and relieve her chronic pain. Annie earned her certification from Dorothee VandeWalle's M•A•T Pilates Program. She also works part time as a mechanical engineer.
THERESA SACCO
Theresa is a graduate of the M•A•T Pilates Teacher Certification Program designed by Dorothee VandeWalle. She started her Pilates training at Metropolitan Pilates in 2005. Pilates transformed her body. Theresa enjoys the outdoors; she gardens and is an avid walker and explorer of local neighborhoods. She has a University of Washington business degree and a master's in blind rehab specializing in Orientation and Mobility.
ADRIANNA VAN ELSWIJK
Adrianna van Elswijk credits Pilates with giving her the increased strength of mind, body and spirit needed to address health and personal challenges. She began her apprenticeship at Metropolitan Pilates in April of 2006 and was certified soon thereafter. Adrianna combines her educational and practical experience in Pilates, theater, ballroom dance, clinical social work and entrepreneurship in a caring and humorous, yet demanding, teaching style.
SILVIA FURIA | Co-owner, General Manager
Silvia Furia was certified as Pilates instructor in 2002. She was trained by Dorothee VandeWalle and Romana Kryzanowska at The Pilates Studio and Physical Therapy Center of Seattle. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Silvia was trained in classical ballet and danced with the Ballet do Rio de Janeiro before coming to the United States to study English. She has lived in the United States for over 30 years and has graduated from Whitman College. She worked at Microsoft Corporation until 1999, holding various positions in project management, business management, and product planning. She is currently studying web design at Seattle Central Community College.
TAHIRA AL-FAHAM | Front Desk Manager
Tahira joined Metropolitan Pilates in 2012 as a Front Desk Associate and was promoted to Front Desk Manager in April 2013. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Washington in 2013 with a major in English.
At Metropolitan Pilates we know there is more than one way to teach something, and each of our certified instructors recognizes the need to tailor their teaching to each student's style of learning. All our teachers have been thoroughly trained by Dorothee VandeWalle and know how to coordinate a personalized Pilates workout that will benefit each individual. Our primary concern is always safety, and teachers are well versed on how to modify and tailor a program for different levels of fitness and for those who currently have or are recovering from injury.