Empower the next generation of artists.
Pilates for Performers is a Pilates teacher training program for performing artists at any stage in their career.
Our goals are to help performers secure stable jobs as Pilates instructors so they can earn a living wage while they pursue their craft; develop a more refined sense of strength, balance and control; perform injury-free; and establish dynamic, enduring careers.
How Pilates for Perfomers is different.
We admit an elite cohort of trained professionals who are well-versed in the language of movement. For these performers, Pilates certification is not simply a means to an end—it’s a way for them to deepen their practice and learn techniques that will keep them healthy and performing at the highest level throughout their careers.
Most Pilates training programs are financially out-of-reach for professional dancers and performers. However, we offer an affordable program for a small but dedicated group of participants who are eager to learn more about the intricacies of movement and excited to share what they learn with the community.
How we’re impacting the community.
The proliferation of Pilates studios in NYC in the past decade has been an exciting step forward in sharing this important movement-based practice with the community. However, in many spaces in the city, access to Pilates classes is still prohibitively expensive for performing artists. We hope to cultivate an open, welcoming space where performing artists will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of traditional Pilates at an affordable rate.
Why this is the moment.
While sales for concerts and sporting events have reached record highs in this post-pandemic landscape, Broadway theaters and other performance organizations in NYC are still recovering from the impact. Cultural institutions across the city are struggling to regain footing, and the trickle-down effect heavily impacts performers. Now is the time to invest in these dancers to reinvigorate the cultural landscape and ensure that new narratives and innovative performance styles are nourished and promoted.
Dancers teaching dancers.
“Our mission is to create a comprehensive training program that is both affordable and practical given the unpredictable nature of being an artist. We want to help dancers develop and teach a skill that complements and enhances their lives.”
—Barbara Hoon + Alison Johnson, Founders
A rich history and tradition.
Throughout his career, Joseph Pilates worked with world-renowned performers including maverick choreographers George Balanchine and Martha Graham who defied tradition and developed a new vocabulary for movement. They both relied on Joseph Pilates to keep their company members strong and healthy. Balanchine famously called Joseph Pilates the “genius of the body.”
For a decade Joseph Pilates taught at Jacob’s Pillow—an artistic retreat in the Berkshires founded by Ted Shawn that actively hosts artists and performers to this day. Joseph Pilates also worked with a wide range of performers, including world-renowned soprano Roberta Peters, and celebrated actors including Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier.
Moving forward
Pilates for Performers aims to preserve the teachings of Joseph Pilates and continue honoring his philosophy of movement by passing down his original exercises and techniques. As former dancers, we have witnessed the benefits of Pilates in our own lives and careers, and as long-time Pilates instructors and studio owners, we have seen our clients develop strength, flexibility and a deeper mind-body awareness. Pilates for Performers was founded on our uncompromising belief in the importance of imparting the teachings of traditional Pilates to the next generation while helping dancers learn to use these techniques to stay strong and injury-free.
When all your muscles are properly developed, you will, as a matter of course, perform your work with minimum effort and maximum pleasure.
—Joseph Pilates
Pilates for Performers is changing lives.
We are optimistic that the next generation will innovate in the dance and performance space while continuing to practice and pass down the original teachings of Joseph Pilates.
With this program, we hope to kick off a self-perpetuating revolution: Dancers and performers will come through our program and leave with a Pilates teaching certification. We will support the performers as they seek teaching placements within the New York City community. Our hope is that this program will provide more widespread access to high-quality Pilates classes in the city and allow people of all ages to begin their practice and feel more confident moving through the world.
Meet Morgan McGhee, a graduate of our program, currently performing in Boop! The Musical on Broadway.
Make an impact today.
Support the Pilates teachers of tomorrow.