Instructors

Ms. Dixon opened Harmony Mind Body Fitness in 2002, in pursuit of creating a welcoming Pilates studio environment where clients of all ages and physical abilities could succeed. Over the past eight years, Harmony has been recognized as a leader in the Chicago Pilates community, consistently providing fun and effective mind-body fitness options. Laura’s movement background began with ballet at the age of three, and has since grown to encompass several exercise systems. With a passion for dance and performing, Ms. Dixon earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Following college, she performed with professional dance companies in Chicago and Detroit. An advocate of continuing education, Laura has completed various teaching workshops including Prenatal Pilates, Pilates for Arthritis, Pilates & Women’s Health, Pilates for Athletes, and numerous Stott Pilates® workshops. As a Certified Stott Pilates® Instructor Trainer, Ms. Dixon also travels nationally to teach courses to new instructors. Laura is also an adjunct faculty member of the DePaul University Theater Department, where she teaches Pilates to graduating M.F.A. candidates. In addition to teaching, Ms. Dixon has also been a contributing writer to Pilates-Pro.com, an educational resource for Pilates instructors and devotees.

Certifications: Stott Pilates® Instructor & Instructor Trainer, Gyrotonic®, Gyrokinesis®, Xtend Barre®, TRX®

Three words that describe Laura’s teaching style: Clear, dynamic, thorough.

Top dream travel destinations: Greece, Bali, Yosemite National Park.

Laura is also passionate about: Dance, theatergoing, spending time with family & friends, trying new restaurants in Chicago, and visiting the dog beach with my dog, Remy.

Tara was introduced to the Stott Pilates® method while studying dance as an undergraduate student. With a background in dance, theater and sports, Tara brings strong physicality, a keen eye and creative spirit to her sessions. Her additional specialized training includes BOSU, foam roller work and applications of ballet to Pilates. Tara enjoys helping her clients achieve a deep understanding of the theory behind Pilates and challenges even her most advanced clients to rediscover the benefits of the fundamentals. Ms. Gillespie earned her Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree with minors in Dance and Humanities from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Certifications: Stott Pilates®, Cardiolates® Instructor Trainer, Xtend Barre®, & TRX®

Three words that describe Tara’s teaching style: Detailed, varied, challenging.

Top dream travel destinations: Greek Islands, London.

Tara is also passionate about: Running, taking hip-hop dance classes, college sports, supporting the Steppenwolf Theatre, and volunteering for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Jamila discovered Pilates as an undergraduate student, and has been continuously inspired to share her passion for movement ever since. She enjoys challenging clients by maximizing the use of small props, and recognizes the importance of infusing humor and positive feedback into every session. Jamila’s specialized training includes Survive & Thrive™, pre and post natal workshops, and BOSU programming. Ms. Kekulah Kinney holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Kent State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College in Chicago.

Certifications: Stott Pilates®, Gyrokinesis®, Gyrotonic® Instructor & Pre-Trainer and TRX®

Three words that describe Jamila’s teaching style: Explorative, honest, expressive.

Top dream travel destinations: New Zealand, Morocco, Spain.

Jamila is also passionate about: Life-long learning and hanging outdoors with my husband and our dog, Kenya.

Melissa received her certification at the Stott Pilates® International Head Office in Toronto, Ontario, where she worked as an instructor and soon after an Instructor Trainer. She has created and taught specialty workshops, including: Partner Pilates, Pilates for Performers, Pilates for Men and Pilates for Athletes. While in Toronto, Melissa also created and instructed Pilates for Teens and m.a.c. Pilates for Kids, highlighted in Wellness Magazine and on CTV’s Breakfast Television. Whether instructing groups or private clients, Melissa is able to weave her knowledge of biomechanics with her creativity and energy, creating fun, efficient and transforming sessions. Ms. McNamara earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre at York University in Toronto, where she created and performed physical theatre and comedy for ten years throughout Ontario. Most recently, Melissa received her Masters Degree in Contemporary Performance from the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University.

Certifications: Stott Pilates® Instructor & Instructor Trainer, A.C.E. Personal Trainer

Three words that describe Melissa’s teaching style: Passionate, creative, precise.

Top dream travel destinations: Ireland, Africa, Australia, Idaho.

Melissa is also passionate about: Running, yoga, theatre, and exploring Chicago with my fiancé.

Molly originally began her study of Pilates in 1996 while studying dance in undergraduate school, and began teaching Pilates in 2002. Through her years of teaching, Molly has gained an understanding for both the fitness and therapeutic approaches to Pilates. She also embraces other movement modalities, such as Iyengar yoga and Body-Mind Centering®, to enhance her teaching and understanding of the human body. Molly has assisted a wide variety of people whose fitness levels vary, including dancers and athletes, individuals with osteoporosis, scoliosis, sufferers of back pain, and clients who simply want to feel better and achieve better posture. With an emphasis on alignment and form, as well as breath and easefulness, Molly gears sessions towards each client’s specific needs and goals. Ms. Wilson-Jarvis earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Certifications: PhysicalMind™ & Kane School Pilates, Gyrotonic®

Three words that describe Molly’s teaching style: Positive, encouraging, patient.

Top dream travel destinations: India, Thailand and U.S. National Parks.

Molly is also passionate about: Photography, exploring all the parks in Chicago, and hanging out with my husband and son.

Katie discovered Pilates matwork at age fifteen, during a musical theatre training program, and years later, got her first taste of equipment work while working as an office manager for a studio in London. Nearly 10 years after her first “100s”, she gained a whole new appreciation for Pilates while rehabilitating a fractured clavicle. Pilates was invaluable to her recovery and helped her return to full range of motion without surgery. After her own injury, she especially enjoys helping individuals with shoulder issues, though she loves working with people of all ages and fitness levels as they discover more about their bodies and reach new goals. Ms. Yohe graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama.

Certifications: Stott Pilates®, Cardiolates®

Three words that describe Katie’s teaching style: Spirited, motivating, hands-on.

Top dream travel destination: Galapagos Islands during sea turtle hatching season.

Katie is also passionate about: Volunteering at Gigi’s Playhouse, teaching theater classes for children with Down Syndrome, animal rescue, travel, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending time with my charming boyfriend and our three cats.