About The Pilates Center

Studio Reformer is the traditional Pilates apparatus. For 30 years, the world's most respected Pilates instructors have used and recommended the Balanced Body Pilates Studio Reformer.

The Cadillac (also known as the Trapeze Table) is one of the most effective and versatile pieces of exercise equipment ever to be engineered. The Cadillac was originally devised by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate bedridden patients back when he was working as a hospital orderly. The apparatus has evolved a bit since the makeshift bed spring days, but its inspiration is apparent and it continues to be a bridge between exercise and physical therapy.

Designed to strengthen muscle groups not easily reached by more traditional techniques and equipment, Chair workouts focus on upper and lower body strength and conditioning, and enhance stability, body control and balance. Designed to strengthen muscle groups not easily reached by more traditional techniques and equipment, Chair workouts focus on upper and lower body strength and conditioning, and enhance stability, body control and balance.

Combines ladder rungs with a barrel surface on which stretching, strengthening and flexibility exercises can be performed.

Wall Tower is free-standing, giving you the flexibility of using it with a Reformer or a mat. Gives a three-in-one exercise system: Reformer, mat station, and Tower. A tremendous variety of exercises can be performed on this versatile fully-feature equipment.

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 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 of Ballet Austin from 1992-2003 and danced a variety of classical and contemporary roles, including the original Lady Capulet in Stephen Mills' Romeo & Juliet.

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 the summer of 2009, she attended a workshop conducted by Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle and Michele Larsson that gave her additional insight into working with older clients. Vlada is also a Post-Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist, and has developed a specialized rehabilitative workout for breast cancer survivors.

In 2002 Vlada worked in a physical therapy clinic with Allison Bennett (Women’s Health specialist) and joined the Ballet Austin's Pilates Center as an instructor. In 2005 she was acknowledged as a "Pre-eminent Purveyor of Pilates" by Austin Monthly Magazine. In 2007 Vlada was appointed Program Director of Ballet Austin's Pilates Center. She designed the layout of the original Pilates studio and has worked closely with the Bommarito Group during the expansion of Ballet Austin's Pilates Center.

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 instructor.

stephanie.albrecht@balletaustin.org

As senior manager of the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness, the Ballet Austin Academy, and the Pilates Center, Stephanie is responsible for the day-to-day management of programs, operations, and customer relations. Her goal is to ensure the overall organizational effectiveness and efficiency of these areas, while optimizing the customer's experience. Stephanie also serves as the Summer Intensive coordinator, managing operational and administrative responsibilities for the program which serves several hundred ballet students each summer.

Stephanie joined the Ballet Austin team in 2013 bringing with her over 10 years of hands-on experience in customer relations and project management. Prior to joining Ballet Austin, she performed similar duties for the Bullock Texas State History Museum and The University of Texas at Austin. She is a native Austinite and a proud supporter of the Texas Longhorns. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Originally from San Antonio, Marisa began dancing competitively starting at the age of 7. She was accepted into the nationally ranked performing arts high school, Northeast School of the Arts where she had the privilege to participate in master dance classes, seminars with professional artists and various performance opportunities. Marisa continued her passion for dance at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she received her BFA in 2007 with an emphasis in choreography and dance performance.

Inspired by the strength, flexibility and the mindfulness that Pilates provided throughout her years of dance, Marisa became a certified Pilates instructor through DK Body Balancing under Dolly Kelepecz at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2008. Wanting to explore her love of dance and fitness further, Marisa relocated to New York where she spent the past 8 years teaching Pilates for the luxury fitness brand, Equinox.

Now back in Texas, Marisa looks forward to being a part of Ballet Austin Pilates Center and is passionate about caring for clients and getting them the best result.

Tyler has had a passion for fitness and nutrition all her life. Her involvement in athletics and interest in clean eating habits led her to pursue a Personal Training certification through ACE. After graduating from SMU with a degree in Journalism, Tyler moved to Austin and began her career in fitness, teaching boot camps, spinning classes, and creating customized programs to help clients reach their goals.

Tyler began her advancement in Pilates training through PEAK Pilates in 2009 while continuing her personal training pursuits. She is an education enthusiast who loves learning about the body and what techniques help each client find their ideal level of fitness and performance. Tyler has an understanding and compassionate approach to fitness. She enjoys challenging her clients and tailors each workout regimen carefully to ensure that she is meeting the particular needs of each client.

In 2013, Tyler took a leap to follow her passion of health and attended The Natural Gourmet Culinary Institute in New York. There she gained an understanding of the fundamentals of human nutrition and the connection between food and wellness. This 619 hour program excelled her to start helping clients not only with fitness, but also with food and lifestyle choices. Tyler makes herself available to her clients at all times to answer questions, motivate, and help each client reach their true potential.

Brittany was introduced to Pilates though her 15 years of classical ballet training. She studied under Vlada Sheber, director of Ballet Austin's Pilates Center. She is also certified with Peak Pilates and Power Pilates; both internationally recognized companies.

Brittany danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's scholarship program and The Richmond Ballet. Her knowledge, experience, and passion for fitness and movement help her guide clients though personalized sessions to achieve personal goals and specific fitness needs. Her group Pilates-based drop-in classes are also favorite workouts. Brittany also implemented the Mommy & Baby Fit classes at Ballet Austin, including the ever-popular Babywearing Barre Workout.

Follow Brittany on Twitter @HarpoleBrittany

Originally from San Antonio, Felicia began her ballet training at the age of 12. She attended summer intensives at Houston Ballet, The Chautauqua Institute, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Austin and also trained as a trainee with Charlotte ballet. Felicia has danced professionally with companies such as Ballet Austin II, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, Hedwig Dances, Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, Chicago Repertory Ballet and Hubbard Street 2. She has performed works by Jiri Kylian, Matts Ek, Mauro Bigonzetti, Dominic Walsh, Stephen Mills, Alejandro Cerrudo, Maurya Kerr, Penny Saunders, Edgar Zendejas, Gabrielle Lamb, and Robyn Mineko Williams.

Felicia has also guested for three seasons with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens in their production of The Nutcracker. She has toured to Italy, Germany, and The Netherlands for various performance opportunities with a few of the companies listed previously. Within the past year, Felicia expanded her skill set and can now dance on stilts as well.

Felicia is currently based out of Austin and will continue her freelance career dancing in Austin with ARCOS Dance as well as smaller companies outside of the city. Felicia is extremely excited to be back in Austin and has a great interest in fitness and movement as a certified Balance Body Pilates instructor.

Alex Miller is a modern dancer and certified Pilates instructor originating from Louisiana. She earned her BFA in Performing Arts with a concentration in dance in 2010 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After moving to Austin, Alex completed her Pilates certification through Balanced Body University in mat work, reformer, chair, cadillac, and tower.

Alex danced with Verge Dance Company, Lorn McDougal, Katherine Hodges, Jennifer Sherburn, and was a back-up dancer at Austin City Limits Music Festival for pop-star Grimes in 2013. Alex completed her first evening length work entitled "Forgotten Memories" in December 2014. She has taught modern dance at several local dance studios and is currently teaching both dance and Pilates at Ballet Austin.

Alex continues to keep up with her training in the ever-changing dance world, includeing Tisch NYU Summer Intensive, Bates Dance Festival, American College Dance Festival, Doug Varone Summer and Winter Intensives, Prague International Contemporary Workshop, and most recently, completed a mentorship at DanceInArt in Haarlem, Netherlands. While in the Netherlands, she had the pleasure of doing a master class with Netherlands Dance Theater, study at Henny Jurriens, Chasse Studios, and Amsterdam Dance Center. Alex's Pilates instruction is motivating; her dance classes are upbeat.

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.

Ramsay has taught many forms of movement for over fifteen years. She began teaching spin classes in 2001 and then ventured into Pilates and yoga. In the last few years, Ramsay has expanded her fitness repertoire to teach dance fitness classes, fusion classes, and barre. She is a registered Yoga teacher (E-RYT 200), a certified mat Pilates instructor, a certified barre instructor, a licensed Dance-Fit instructor, and has a general group exercise certification through AFAA.

Her primary goal is to make her students feel at home, happy, and healthy in her classes. She takes pride in doing so, and loves what she does! You will enjoy her upbeat and personal teaching style.