About the Pilates Center

vicki.parsons@balletaustin.org

Vicki Parsons develops, implements and directs dance and fitness programming for Ballet Austin's Butler Center for Dance & Fitness and Pilates Center. Health, fitness, and overall wellness are a priority, and through classes, community-based programs, and BeWell Talks she helps promote the value of life-long health and well-being in the Austin community. Vicki also oversees employee wellness initiatives at Ballet Austin.

Vicki joined the staff of Ballet Austin in 1997 and has over 25 years of experience working in the field of Long Term Care, specifically in direct care as a Recreation Therapist, using therapeutic recreation as a treatment intervention to improve overall wellness. She also worked extensively with young children, developing physical activity programs that are developmentally appropriate and promote an active and healthy life. Vicki taught at Austin Community College for 13 years and worked with several non-profit organizations to develop and present workshops on lifelong health and fitness. Promoting physical activity and wellness to people of all ages continues to be one of her greatest interests and passions.

She holds current certifications as a Senior Fitness Instructor, a Youth Fitness Specialist, a Group Exercise Instructor, and in Advanced Sports Nutrition. She is also a certified Fitness Business Manager. Vicki also teaches the Better Balance & Movement Workshop, a falls prevention program for adults. She implemented the BeWell Healthy Living Talks, offered at no cost in the Austin community. Her advice is simple, "it's your life, your health, YOU are in control. Be active. Be resilient, Be well!" Vicki looks forward to developing people and programming that will fulfill one of Ballet Austin's Core Values: "We dance to encourage lifelong health and well-being."

Follow Vicki on Twitter @VickiBeActive

vlada.sheber@balletaustin.org

Originally from the Ukraine, Vlada Sheber received her training in classical ballet from the State Classical Ballet College of Russia (Voronezh.) Vlada performed as a soloist in the Donetsk Ballet Theatre before immigrating to the United States. She was a company member with Ballet Austin from 1992-2003.

In 2002, Vlada received her diploma as a Certified Core Connections® Pilates Instructor from the Core Connections® Comprehensive Teacher Training Program at the Pilates Center of Austin. There she studied under Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle.

In 2007 Vlada was named Program Director for Ballet Austin’s Pilates Center, participating in both the original design of the Center and expansion in 2015.

In 2009, she attended a training under Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle and Michele Larsson providing insight and approaches into working with older clients. In 2010 Vlada attended the Pink Pilates Program training in Houston, Texas and became a certified Post-Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist. Having worked with breast cancer survivors continuously since 2010, she further developed a specialized rehabilitative workout for breast cancer survivors to include humor and compassion; Ballet Austin’s Pink Pilates.

Vlada also has trained extensively in a physical therapy clinic under Allison Bennett (Women’s Health specialist) which expanded her knowledge of anatomy and Pilates rehabilitation. She has developed Pilates workouts specifically for osteoporosis, scoliosis, and chronic back pain.

In 2005 she was acknowledged as a "Pre-eminent Purveyor of Pilates" by Austin Monthly Magazine. In recognition of Ballet Austin's commitment to excellence, Ballet Austin’s Pilates Center has been chosen as “Best Pilates Studio in Austin” by Rare Magazine and Austin Fit Magazine. Vlada's knowledge and approach to her practice of Pilates make her a highly requested master Pilates instructor.

April is a Minnesota native who was introduced to Pilates about 15 years ago when she was on a quest to gain more energy, flexibility and strength. Not only did she see a positive.

transformation of her body but also truly looked forward to working out. In 2014 April began her journey to become certified Pilates instructor by taking the STOTT Pilates Mat and Reformer
courses. She loves to teach both group and private lessons and share her passion for mindful movement with others to help them reach their goals and improve their wellness.

Currently April is certified in all levels of Pilates Mat, Reformer and Barre. Her goal is to continue taking courses and workshops to expand her knowledge of Pilates and improve as an instructor.
When not teaching, April enjoys studying and learning about nutrition, holistic healing and alternative medicine. She also loves traveling, music (especially 80’s New Wave), animals, cooking, reading and spending time with her family.

Originally from the Chicago area, Elise began her ballet training with Judith Svalander in Crystal Lake, Illinois. In 2007 she was accepted into Ballet Austin's Trainee Program and moved to Austin to further her dance education. In 2009 Elise joined Ballet Austin II and became a Ballet Austin company member in 2011.

Elise had utilized Pilates as a part of her ballet training and as a means of injury prevention and rehabilitation, but after moving to Austin Elise found a passion for Pilates, fitness and wellness. In 2009, Elise studied with Ann Arnoult and became certified in the D.K. Body Balancing Method of Pilates mat instruction. She is also certified with Balanced Body Pilates. When not dancing, she enjoys running, kickboxing, Pilates reformer classes, and teaching swim lessons.

Elise looks forward to working with clients in the Pilates Center, and motivating people through her fitness and conditioning classes to achieve results and improve wellness through movement all while having fun.

Balanced Body trained and PMA® Certified Pilates Instructor.

Megan began training in ballet at the age of four in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She was first introduced to Pilates in 2001 through her studies in dance. She quickly noticed how effective the exercises were in strengthening and toning the body, as well as helping enforce proper alignment and aiding in injury prevention. Recognizing the compliment to her ballet technique, she continued practicing Pilates throughout her performing career. 

In 2008, Megan received her Bachelors Degree in Visual Arts with a concentration in Photography from McNeese State University, and began teaching ballet while continuing to dance. 

Megan is enthusiastic about pursuing a career that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle for herself and others, while staying involved in the Arts.  She began her Balanced Body Comprehensive Training with Susan Clark in 2017. She attended Pilates on Tour in 2018 and had the opportunity to recieve continuing education from Shari Berkowitz, Diedra Manns, Karen Clippinger, Tom McCook, and Joy Puleo. 

Morgan Stillman is originally from Fort Wayne, Ind., and joins the Ballet Austin company for the 2017/18 season after dancing two years with Nevada Ballet Theater where he was featured in a variety of classical and contemporary roles. Morgan received most of his formal training at Indiana University Ballet Theater under the guidance of Michael Vernon, Violette Verdy, Jacques Cesbron, Guo Pin Wang, Victoria Lyras, and Shawn Stevens.

Morgan is also a certified Pilates instructor, having received his training and certification at Las Vegas's Classical Pilates Comprehensive Pilates Training Program.

Boo Wong began dancing at the age of 3 where she trained in tap, hip hop, jazz and ballet until the age of 12 when she entered the pre-professional training program at Ballet Austin under Mr. Stephen Mills.   After graduating from high school Boo worked professionally in the commercial and contemporary dance worlds in Chicago, LA, Toronto, New York and Spain. She began teaching hip hop, jazz, breaking, and contemporary styles in 2000, and began her second career in Pilates in 2007.  

She helped open the Ballet Austin Pilates Center with Master Instructor Vlada Sheber in 2008.   As an educator Boo believes deeply in the importance of self acceptance and love in order to find your voice in movement. Her hope is that dance and Pilates instruction with her will feel therapeutic.