Instructors
Pilates Education is not only very important it is critical for your safety and peace of mind. At Pilates Santa Fe
we have been certifying teachers since 1993. All Pilates Santa Fe teachers are certified and undergo rigorous
continuing education courses. This way you will be receiving some of the best Pilates teaching in the world.
Pilates Santa Fe teachers are all trained in wellness and complimentary alternative medicine.
Alessandra Dallera
Was born in Milan and raised in different cities in Italy and throughout Europe. As a young girl she
trained as a ballerina after an accident which ended her dancing career she became a top athlete.
Alessandra has a degree in Classic Studies and Philosophy from the University Statale di Milano
and a Masters Degree from St Johns College USA.
She holds many Certifications in various massages systems including Trager, Alexander, Cranial Sacral,
Brimhall Wellness, Eden, Ahshiatsu, Visceral Manipulation, Osteopathic, Chiropractic and Graduated in
Thailand for Thai massage. She is also a certified nutritionist. Since 2000 Alessandra has been a fully
Certified Pilates Instructor, certified from Pilates Santa Fe. She has also studied with Michelle Larsson.
Alessandra is one of the first to create the "New" Pilates which combines the five styles of Pilates including
Classical and blending with Western and Eastern Medicine to produce long lasting, deep and profound health
benefits. Alessandra is the Director of Advanced studies at Pilates Santa Fe.
Jeannette Curtis
Is originally from Michigan and has been a New Mexican since 2000. She holds a
degree in Liberal Arts and was fully certified in Pilates in 2004. Jeannette has
practiced Yoga since 1985 and became certified as a Yoga Instructor in 1996. She gently incorporates the
wisdom of Yoga with her clear and precise Pilates instruction. She is enrolled in the Certification program
of the Alexander Neuromuscular re-education as well as the the new healing system of CoreAlign.
Megan Huston
Megan Huston is a proud graduate of the Comprehensive Pilates program at Body Arts and
Science International in Costa Mesa, CA. She has studied with numerous teachers in California
and Oregon, and she welcomes learning opportunities whenever possible.
Megan’s love for Pilates developed during her musical studies at Pepperdine Univ., when a
“Movement for the Stage” class incorporated Pilates as a method to develop core strength and
coordination. She soon discovered that Pilates was so much more, and she even began to see
improvements in her Vocal Technique. From then on she was hooked and has since taken
Pilates at numerous studios around the country.
Having been a lifelong athlete and fitness enthusiast, Megan spent the majority of her life
between the pool and the volleyball court. While swimming and Volleyball we’re great, Megan
found a whole new appreciation for the body when she began a regular yoga practice in 2005. It
was with that love and passion for mind-body fitness that she decided to pursue a teaching career
in Pilates.
“I am passionate about the unique body and about improving quality of life through Pilates. My
approach to Pilates is one part fun and one part functional. Proper alignment and biomechanics
carry on long after a session is over, and the end result is beautifully efficient movement, more
energy, less pain, improved strength and endurance, an elated mood, and a sense of
empowerment! Helping someone do what they love with greater ease is the best part of my job.”
Megan recently traded in sunny LA for sunny Santa Fe and couldn’t be happier with the
transition! When not teaching Pilates you can catch Megan on her mat at one of the many yoga
studios around town, riding her Bianchi Milano on the trails, dining out and exploring Santa Fe
with her love Michael and puppy Kahlo.
Phil Cohen
Was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and moved to Santa Fe in
1985 to open a major branch of Gallery 10, one of the most prominent galleries in the country
dealing in the best of Southwestern Native American art.
He received his BA from the University of Arizona with a focus on Economics and Personnel
Management. Phil began studying Pilates in 2003 when he became a client of Pilates Santa Fe
in an effort to expand his training regimen for competitive Racquetball. Phil continues to compete
at a very high level and playing and winning at local, state, national and international events. Phil
achieved his full certification in Pilates Mat work and all Apparatus in 2006 from Raymond Kurshals
at Pilates Santa Fe. He continues to teach in Santa Fe and continues his Pilates education in
workshops and seminars throughout the USA.
Suellen Haag
Former Managing Director of the Sokolow Dance Foundation, holds a BA in Art Education
from Kutztown University and an MFA in Modern Dance Performance from the Philadelphia
College of the Performing Arts. She has also studied at the Martha Graham School of
Contemporary Dance and the Limon Institute, both in NYC. As managing director of the
SDF, Ms. Haag has assisted and set reconstructions of Ms. Sokolow’s repertory, taught
Sokolow Legacy Workshops and helped to archive the vast repertory of Anna Sokolow.
Notably, Ms. Haag was a member of Sokolow Now!, The Anna Sokolow Contemporary
Dance Company and a founding member of Dancefusion, a Philadelphia contemporary
modern dance company. Performing credits also include dancing with
Anna Sokolow's Players’ Project in New York and numerous independent performance
projects in Philadelphia and New York.
Suellen has been working in the Pilates method since 1985 and has been teaching
since 1995. She trained in the original tradition of Joe Pilates by being a client for eight
years and then apprenticing for two years under the tutelage of Karen Carlson. Ms. Carlson
is the founder and owner of Pineland Pilates in Philadelphia, a nationally recognized Pilates
Additionally she has studied with Jean-Claude West, Louis Shultz and most recently
received a Level I certification in Zenga from Stott.
In Philadelphia, Suellen had her own practice of private clients. Upon moving to
New England she taught at C.O.R.E, Providence, RI; L. C. Pilates, Little Compton, RI;
and Rhythm and Flow Studio in Sharon, MA, a Balanced Body certifying studio.
Ms. Haag feels having been a professional dancer in Philadelphia and New York City
for over 30 years has been an asset in teaching Pilates and helps to be a creative teacher.
Theresa Shrader
New Mexico Native: Born in Northern New Mexico, raised in Las Cruces & Santa Fe.
Married with two grown sons. My Husband is a local small business owner.
Has been teaching Pilates Since 2000, Certified in 2001. Certified with Raymond Kurshalls At Pilates Santa Fe.
Started practicing Pilates in 1995. Has a 12 year background in dance, studied Ballet & Jazz , with Sue West;
Broadway Jazz, with Sam Shankman, and Contemporary Dance with Maryanne Newhall. Worked for three years
as an exercise therapist with local Chiropractors. Attended the University of Maryland in Europe Graduate of
Santa Fe High School.
Personal Thoughts: Upon first becoming a Pilates instructor my main goal was the benefits of exercise in
peoples lives. I was given the opportunity to work with people who had ailments, injuries and physical Limitations.
I discovered I liked that. I liked being able to work with people of all ages who faced Challenges, to change the
way we see an exercise for the individual. Working with all types of people, Men, women, athletes, dancers,
children & the elderly. Able bodied people sometimes just need to improve subtleties in their work, Dancer’s
need to learn how to stay strong & healthy while excelling, but people with limitations can still find the means
to improve through exercise. Working with people with scoliosis, Parkinsons, Spinal Stenosis, Cerebal Palsey,
or hip & knee replacements, as well as everyday injuries has given me the ability to help people find a
better quality of movement, all based on the Principles that Joseph Pilates established in his work.
Pilates Santa Fe is always interested in fully Certified, well-trained, and caring Instructors.
Contact us:
Info@PilatesSantaFe.com
(505) 995-9700
