MICHAEL BIRMINGHAM

In 2015 pain brought Michael to yoga and began his healing journey. Moving pain-free inspired Michael to passionately move and dance. His natural curiosity to understand the “why” behind everything inspired him to return to school to learn and teach.

*2017 Personal Training certification

*2018 500-hour TT yoga cert /Kinesiology with Emphasis in Health &    

*Applied Nutrition degree

*2019 Founded Inner-Fire Wellness

*2020-21 Pursuing BA in Dance

Michael’s goal is to help others find the same union while healing body and mind.

CONTACT INFO: Innerfirewellness.org

LESLIE BLAKE-WALKER

Leslie Blake Walker is a professional dancer, actress, and singer based out of New York City/Las Vegas. She is a graduate of the Musical Theatre program at the Hartt School and is represented by CESD Dance Division. She also judges dance competitions for KAR and Rainbow, and loves to teach and choreograph! She has worked at many acclaimed regional theatres including Papermill Playhouse, Hartford Stage, and Connecticut Repertory Theatre. She is so thankful for her Apolla family for all of their support!

CONTACT INFO: leslieblakewalker@hotmail.com

LIZ BOROM

Liz has been a professional in the dance industry for the past 18 years as a dancer, dance educator, & choreographer. Currently she is on Faculty as a master instructor for Platinum Dance Collective and Platinum Dance Experience Conventions. She is also part of the Relative Motion Creative Team and a certified TSpheres Instructor.

CONTACT INFO: https://www.lizbdance.com/

EMILY BUFFERD

On faculty at NYC’s Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, “Emily Bufferd continues to impact the New York dance scene.” Examiner.com Emily is the Producer of The Young Choreographer’s Festival (YCF) in NYC, presenting #thefutureofdance, and a sought-after Educator around the US and abroad.  

CONTACT INFO: emilybufferd.com

CARA DIXON

Cara Dixon, co-founder of Relative Motion, is originally from Virginia Beach, VA where she taught at Denise Wall’s Dance Energy. Cara went on to be faculty at Broadway Dance Center, and adjunct faculty at Old Dominion University. She has performed for companies such as Cirque Du Soleil and Stiletto Entertainment, along with various contracts for companies in NYC, where she was featured in commercials as both a dancer and a teacher. She currently teaches master classes and adjudicates on the competition circuit. She has a BA in Dance and is certified in yoga and injury prevention.  

CONTACT INFO: www.therelativemotionexperience.com

JAIMIE GOODWIN

Jaimie Goodwin grew up in Virginia Beach, Va training under Denise Wall. She’s gone on to perform on SYTYCD both as a top 10 contestant and an Allstar. She has also appeared in commercials, movies, and television shows including Dancing With The Stars, Ellen, Glee and more. She’s enjoyed making appearances on the Emmys, The Academy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and The American MusicAwards , toured with Travis Wall and Shaping Sounds, as well as working with several artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift,Kylie Minogue, and Miley Cyrus. When she’s not performing, she nurtures her passion to share through teaching and choreography for dancers all over the world.. She was most recently associate choreographer to Nick Florez and RJ Durell on ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live. In the midst of her performance career Jaimie overcame several severe injuries that have led her to be an advocate for wellness and injury prevention in dancers. She has been certified in Sugarfoot Therapy’s injury prevention and conditioning program as well as the T Spheres’ injury prevention and recovery program to broaden her qualifications in bringing the knowledge of wellness and longevity to our Community. Jaime and her sister have created Relative Motion Experience. The goal is to simplify anatomy so it is understandable and applicable, taking the complex and making it accessible. This will strengthen and align the body for technique, so that movement serves the body and the body supports the movement.  

CONTACT INFO: www.therelativemotionexperience.com

SHELI HALLY

Sheli Hally is a music, yoga, meditation & mindfulness teacher and mom to Apolla Advocate and dancer, Chloe Joelle Hally. Sheli has been teaching music in public middle school outside of Philadelphia for 22 years. Seeing the potential benefits of yoga and meditation for her students, Sheli completed an RYT-200 yoga teaching certification as well as a 95 hour children’s yoga certification. She also holds a BA in Music Education, a MA in Music Therapy and several module certifications from Mindful Schools. Sheli designs and teaches yoga/mind body courses and curriculum, provides professional development for staff in multiple districts, and presents the work she is doing with mindfulness at various workshops She now teaches 3 daily yoga classes for students and a weekly class for staff. Sheli believes that yoga is for every BODY and is looking forward to being part of the Apolla community!

SUSAN HAINES

Susan Haines is a Dance Kinesiologist based in Bellingham, WA bridging the latest research in fascia, biomechanics, and neuroscience into dance training. Susan is a Level III NeuroKinetic Therapy practitioner; a sophisticated treatment modality that addresses the causes of dysfunctional movement in the motor control center. This work led her to create Dance Conditioning Technique, a unique training system that focuses on foundational strength. She has worked with dancers from American Ballet Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, Ballet Austin, and Oregon Balle Theatre to create conditioning programs for greater ease in turnout, pointe work, and partnering. She has an MFA from UNCG-Greesnboro where she studied with leaders in the field of Somatics and Kinesiology: Dr. Jill Green and B.J. Sullivan. She is a NCPT Pilates instructor who studied under Carolyn Watson, MS, LaC, and Karen Clippinger. She is trained in functional movement patterning and taping with Dr. Perry Nickelston and is a certified FMT Mobility Specialist. She is on faculty at Western Washington University teaching contemporary, ballet, jazz, and kinesiology in her Apolla Shocks. She has presented her dance conditioning research at conferences nationwide.

CONTACT INFO: https://www.danceconditioningtechnique.com/

NATALIE IMRISEK, MSPT, CSCS

Natalie Imrisek, MSPT, CSCS is the owner and founder of Framework Physical Therapy. She holds a Masters in Physical Therapy from Columbia University’s with over 18 years experience. Natalie's career began in New York City, where she treated dancers of internationally-recognized dance companies, ballet and Broadway through her work with NYU/Harkness Center for Dance Medicine.

She moved to Los Angeles in 2012 to serve as the physical therapist for the touring musical Fela!. She continues to work with a wide range of dancers, performers, and choreographers in Los Angeles, both on-site and in the clinic. Also, providing services for many touring shows. She is currently the on-site physical therapist for the Westside Ballet Academy.

CONTACT INFO: www.frameworkpt.com

HOLLY JANISZEWSKI

Holly is Minneapolis-based personal trainer and owner of Holly J Fitness. Her calling is to inspire her community to fall in love with fitness and have fun doing it. When she’s not training clients or working out herself she enjoys being outside and on lakes, drinking coffee (and wine), finding new restaurants and hanging out with her husband, Joe, and their fur child Golden, Surly.

Holly is certified as a personal trainer through NASM, as well as a certified pre/postnatal performance specialist through PROnatal, an ambassador for lululemon and a long-time volunteer for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

NICOLE JORDAN

Nicole Jordan is trained in all forms of dance and absolutely loves the challenge and variety that dance offers. She has over 18 years of teaching experience in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap; and works with students ages two through adult. She is an award-winning choreographer and has taught for several studios in the DFW area. Nicole is certified in Paula Morgan Technique, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Sugarfoot Therapy. Utilizing these techniques give her a clear assessment of her students and help them unlock their true potential. Nicole believes in “Big Picture Learning” and unlocking a self motivator in each student!

JENNIFER KARMA

Jennifer Karma is a certified 200 hour registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. A mother, musician, artist, nature lover and life-long teacher, Jennifer incorporates yoga into functional activities and demonstrates poses, breathwork, and mindfulness in an approachable and accessible way. She encourages students to bring yoga into the home, throughout the day. Yoga is happy, healthy playtime!!! Jennifer earned her indoor cycle teaching certification in 2009 and began teaching in various facilities and class settings. In 2015, she completed her yoga teacher training. She has been blessed to teach yoga and cycle to children, seniors, and everyone in between.

Jennifer is passionate about making yoga accessible for an ALL LEVELS practice. Yoga is for EVERY BODY. Every student is encouraged to follow their own rhythm and find their own practice, both on and off the mat. While Jennifer feels it's important to reinforce alignment, she takes a playful approach to yoga, after all, why stress? Let's have fun together! Everyone falls down, but a yogi gets back up!

KIM MADSEN-THOMAS

Kimberly Madsen-Thomas has spent her life performing ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, and even found herself dancing as a member of Das Sound Machine in Pitch Perfect 2. She has been teaching dance for fifteen years and leading group exercise for a decade. She has certifications in spin, yoga, barre, group exercise, and Progressing Ballet Technique. She believes in the importance of physiotherapy and cross-training for a lifetime of dance and movement. She currently resides in Memphis, TN and dances with Tennessee Ballet Theater.

CONTACT INFO: @kimamadsen on Instagram

ASHLEY MOWREY

Ashley Mowrey is a Mindset Coach and Educator for dancers. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Arkansas, is a Certified Professional Coach through Coach Training World, a trained facilitator in Tara Mohr’s Playing Big Leadership Program for Women, and a specialist for Doctors for Dancers. Ashley trained as a competitive dancer out of Dallas, TX before teaching and eventually directing a company and dance studio in Fayetteville, AR. It was during those years that she felt drawn towards the dancer’s mindset and the need for training and tools in the dance community to foster mental health and wellbeing. She sees clients in person and via Skype/Zoom all over the country and travels to studios for customized group workshops. Ashley has recently been featured on Dance Studio Amplified Podcast (Ep. 14), University Mastermind guest presenter, and the Dance Boss Podcast.

CONTACT INFO: https://www.ashleymowrey.com/

DESIREE PARKMAN

From her work as a Broadway performer to kicking with the Rockettes, Desiree has perfected the art of entertainment and creating memorable experiences. Learning from some of the best in the business that helped mold a deep work ethic and attention to quality.

Route and Align has provided the perfect backdrop to utilize all of Desiree’s talents. Through her various wellness experiences, Desiree shows you how just a little goes a long way and that self-care is a lifestyle and an ongoing relationship that needs nurturing.

CONTACT INFO: www.routeandalign.com

MALLORY REILLY

Strength training has been the catalyst in my life to mental peace. I am here to help you build physical strength with mental toughness to match. You will live confidently in your body and develop a proactive mindset, so you have more mental bandwidth for simply HAVING FUN in life. As a therapist and coach with years’ experience in outpatient clinics, schools and hospitals with people of all ages, I am no stranger to the gifts that lie in the medicine of movement within the body. I will lead you through a safe, inspiring, effective, experience that will leave you feeling empowered.

STACEY ROBERTS

Hi, I’m Stacey. I am a wife, mom, and lover of movement. I began gymnastics at a young age and played competitive sports for many years. As an adult I fell in love with group fitness. After years of being the student I decided to become an instructor and truly found my passion. I teach at several facilities and last year I started an outdoor fitness program for my community. The main classes I teach are Barre, Interval, and High Fitness. Because regular movement helps us both mentally and physically, making fitness fun is my goal!

CONTACT INFO: Fitnessmomness.com

THE ELLOVÉ TECHNIQUE®

The Ellové Technique® is a conditioning and cross-training class for dancers that reduces the risk of injury by improving alignment, control, muscle balance, and body awareness. Set to music, and incorporating the techniques of strength training, yoga, Pilates, and ballet, this continuous movement sequence is a full-body workout. Recommended for all levels, age 12 to adult. A mat and light hand weights (1-2 lbs) are optional. Ellové has been presented at numerous conferences and events, such as the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS), the National Dance Education Organization, Regional Dance America, and The Ballet Alliance, and at many summer intensives, including The Joffrey Ballet School and Oregon Ballet Theatre School.

CONTACT INFO: https://www.theellovetechnique.com/

NINA YOSHIDA

Nina Yoshida was born in New York City and trained at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. Upon graduation, she joined the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Company. Currently, Nina is with the American Repertory Ballet. During her time at both companies, Nina has danced many leading and soloist roles. Her repertoire includes Marie/Sugarplum and Dewdrop in The Nutcracker, Lead Bacchanal in Walpurgisnacht, Maria in Cavalry Halt, and Eternal Spring Pas de Deux from Yakobson’s Rodin. Nina is also a certified RYT200 yoga instructor, and she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance at St. Mary’s College of California’s LEAP (liberal education for arts professionals) program.

MALEEK WASHINGTON

A native New Yorker Maleek Washington is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist at Broadway Dance Center. Previously Maleek has worked with Sia, Kyle Abraham, Rihanna, ASAP Rocky and currently a collaborator with Camille A Brown and Dancers.

With multidisciplinary, experiential performance works that investigate the people, practices, and spaces shaping Washington's black identity, he is proud to present his art in 2017 at the Boston Dance Festival, Pepatian and BAAD!, PeriapsisDance and Music Noesis, and at the legendary Movement Research at Judson Church in Spring 2018. Washington is also a 2017-18 Dancing While Black top 10 choreographic finalists. Gibney granted Mr. Washington a evening length show in 2019.

CONTACT INFO: www.Maleekwashington.com

KRYSTEN WALKER

Krysten Danielle is a Florida based dance educator. Teaching various styles across many studios over the years, Krysten finally settled on ballet as her primary love and focus. Krysten is a PBT certified instructor, member of the National Dance Educators’ Organization(NDEO), as well as NDEO’s 2020 Professional Development Scholarship Recipient. Krysten currently teaches at New Level Dance Company and serves as Ballet and Assistant Team Director at Tampa Bay Dance Academy.

CONTACT INFO: mskrystendancecda@gmail.com

ANDREA ZANTOPULOS

My name is Andrea and I love to practice all kinds of movement: yoga, handstands, dance, as well as lifting weights! I love taking care of myself inside and out. I am E-RYT 200, RYT 500, and have been teaching yoga since 2016, as well as workshops in arm balances and inversions and a dance flow workshop I created that incorporates both yoga and dance. I am so excited to be part of the Apolla Performance team!

CONTACT INFO: Andreazantopulos@gmail.com

JENNA ZAFFINO

Jenna is a dynamic leader who offers education for your brain, body and business through professional coaching, movement experiences, writing, and speaking. The balanced alignment of this trifecta is the platform from which Jenna helps hundreds of fitness and wellness professionals access mindset shifts, physical resiliency and empowered individuality in their business practices. Jenna is a seasoned Pilates Teacher Educator, a Small Business Coach and a Certified Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She has evolved her small business from a multi-purpose movement center to an online educational hub and support system for wellness pros. Motivated by her own personal recovery from professional burnout, Jenna hosts online support programs, her movement center JZ Studio and hosts her wildly popular podcasts, Pilates Unfiltered™ and The Capable Podcast™. She currently runs a private coaching and movement teaching practice in Chicago’s North Center.

CONTACT INFO: www.jennazaffino.com