ABOUT STUDIO IVANHOE

Gina Barrera is the owner of Studio Ivanhoe where she teaches Pilates Mat, Pilates Equipment and Barre Pilates. She is thrilled to share her love of Pilates and movement with each and every client she meets. Her down to earth approach will always make students feel welcome!

Gina has been teaching Pilates for over 15 years. She completed her Mat Pilates certification in 2008 and her full equipment certification in 2009 under Karen Sanzo’s comprehensive Pilates instructor training program, Pilates Unlimited. Her studio is a culmination of many years she has worked as a Pilates and dance Instructor and a professional dancer (and a little bit of a childhood dream to own a studio :). Gina has taught Pilates at many facilities including The Pilates + Yoga Studio at the Hi-Pointe and has taught dance classes at studios including Dance Elite, COCA, Leaping Lizards, and Lou Conte in Chicago. She currently is a dancer in St. Louis Rhythm Collaborative's MoSTLy Tap dance company.

Gina is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) under the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) and a Certified Personal Trainer under the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Gina also holds current CPR/AED certification under The American Red Cross and has completed many continuing education courses and secondary certifications in Pilates, anatomy, Pre/Post Natal Exercise, Zumba, etc. 

Melissa is a Pilates and Group Fitness Instructor and has been in the fitness industry since 1993.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for movement to her clients.  She strives for her sessions and classes to be fun and informative as you develop strength, balance, and endurance. You will gain body awareness along with functional fitness that will enhance your daily life and prepare you for your next adventure.

Melissa’s Pilates certification is through Balanced Body University.   She has held multiple certifications over the years including ACE Personal Trainer, ACE Orthopedic Specialist, AFAA Group Exercise, and Spinning.  She is continually learning and loves to share her knowledge with clients and other instructors.

Daphne is a native of St. Louis, MIssouri, who worked in management for a Fortune 500 Company where she utilized the knowledge gained with a Degree in Business. Daphne's desire to have better and more natural skin and hair care has led her to create her skincare brand Gimme Bawdy. As someone with arthritis in both knees Daphne sought out an exercise routine that was low impact, trying Pilates and falling in love with its benefits for overall wellbeing. After a year of personal Pilates practice Daphne embarked on comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training via Club Pilates and mentored by Studio Ivanhoe. Instructing has only deepened her love of Pilates and she’s excited to join the team at Studio Ivanhoe!

LaToya is excited to join students on their wellness journey as a passionate and personable Pilates instructor. Her introduction to Pilates was driven by a desire to alleviate the stress her body was carrying due to life changes. Her comprehensive training is through St. Louis-based training program Flourish Pilates. She’s passionate about guiding clients toward strength, flexibility, and inner balance through the practice of Pilates. When she is not teaching Pilates, she is probably somewhere singing. LaToya has been a singer/songwriter for 20+ years and has recorded 2 albums. She loves to entertain! Let's embark on this transformative journey together, finding harmony of mind and body.

Laura came to Pilates after multiple low back strains from weight lifting and a knee injury from Ultimate Frisbee. She found the core strength and lower impact body aligning found in Pilates to be restorative and regenerating. Having taught the life skill of swimming to many students over the past 20 years, she has found joy in helping people find strength and mobility through developing their Pilates practice.

Kate is a Barre and Group Fitness Instructor and has been in the fitness industry since 2015.  Kate fell in love with Barre after she took her first class. She started attending four-five classes a week and knew she wanted to be certified in Barre to teach others this amazing method.  Kate owned her own small boutique fitness studio until the pandemic hit and she had to close her studio. She believes that your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same.

Kate is Barre certified in BarreAmped, Bootybarre and Bootybarre Flex and Flow. She looks forward to helping you on your own personal fitness journey. When Kate isn't teaching you can catch her working at her full-time gig in the financial services industry or chasing her two daughters and enjoying time around town with her husband.

Haley is a Barre and Group Fitness Instructor, and has taught barre in a variety of formats since 2014. Her goal is for all clients to leave each session feeling strong and empowered by offering an accessible yet challenging class. Clients will not only make gains in flexibility, balance, and strength, but in confidence in themselves and what they are capable of at the barre!

Haley's comprehensive barre experience is through BarreAmped, in which she holds certifications in: BarreAmped Foundations, BarreAmped Advanced, BarreAmped Bootcamp and BarreAmped Fire. She has also received training in additional barre and mind/body methods, including Hula Hoop fitness!

Tippi Toes® Dance Company cheerfully provides children with a fun, high-energy, positive and nurturing environment so they are able to experience the joys of dance, self-expression and movement. Classes are specifically designed to develop motor skills and body awareness while enhancing each child’s self-esteem. Tippi Toes® classes fuel and develop the imagination, critical thinking and sharpen both cognitive and creative skills.