Marni grew up in Tiverton, RI and discovered her love for dance in middle school. She danced at Christine’s Academy of Dance and was on the high school dance team, in addition to playing volleyball and lacrosse. In 2016, when returning home from college for summer break, her friend took her to her first Studio Barre class, knowing it would combine Marni’s loves of dance and staying active. Marni not only immediately loved the work out, but also loved the positivity and sense of community she felt at Studio Barre Newport. She continued coming to the studio through her college breaks and become an official regular in 2017, when she moved home after graduating from UMass Amherst with a degree in Communications. Even when she moved to Boston, she continued to tuck it up at Studio Barre Dedham until she moved to Virginia Beach, VA for a few years after getting engaged to her now husband (who she met through a barre buddie!!!). As soon as they moved back to RI in October 2023, Marni quickly returned to Studio Barre Newport and knew that she eventually wanted to audition to become a barre{tender}. Studio Barre is her happy place and Marni loves the positive physical, mental, and emotional effects it has had on her, as well as the community she has found within it! She hopes to bring this positivity to other clients and to her classes while still giving everyone the shakes!!
Crystal grew up in Rehoboth, MA. She began dancing at the age of four and has always had a passion for movement and performance. Shortly after winning a gold medal in the Junior Olympics, she fell in love with modern dance. Crystal holds an AA in Dance with a minor in Music from Dean College and a BFA in Acting from Long Island University C.W. Post. A career highlight has been creating, collaborating, and performing her One Woman Show, which received an award for Performance from The Kennedy Center. After years of living in NYC, Crystal came home in the Fall of 2015 and felt out of sorts. She discovered SBN in 2017 and there was no looking back! 5 years later she is still here! No matter what the day has brought she always walks out of barre feeling stronger and happier! She is grateful to be part of such an inspirational, like-minded tribe of humans!
Beverage of choice-Martini (if I’m being super specific..sparkling Pear Martini).
Salty or Sweet-Both! haha if I had to choose probably Salty.
The product you can’t live without- Sugar Rose tinted Lip Balm by Fresh
Michelle is obsessed with the community, empowerment and uplifting energy of Studio Barre. When not at the Barre, Michelle is constantly on the go! Between running around the state selling real estate, playing volleyball year-round, volunteering for the Newport volleyball club, traveling, and spending some good ol’ quality time with her fur babies she is always on the move! Exercise and movement have always been a huge part of her life and she feels privileged to get to work at a place that so many people consider their happy place.
Beverage: Paloma
Salty or sweet: Sweet
Furr, fins, or feathers: fur and fins �
Samantha grew up in Portsmouth, RI and found a love of movement at an early age through dance lessons at Gladding School of Dance. Sam’s passion continued to flourish in Boston, MA while she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Simmons College and participated in several dance programs in the area. Sam performed with two college dance companies and was invited to perform at the American Collegiate Dance Association conference in 2018. During this time, Sam combined her two passions for movement and serving others by facilitating adaptive dance classes for adults with neurodegenerative disorders at The Dance Complex. After moving back home in 2018, Sam continued to teach dance at Kelley Ann Dance Center in Portsmouth, and Gladding School of Dance in Middletown. Sam’s goal in her classes is to inspire her students to connect with themselves and maintain healthy habits for the mind and body. Sam began taking classes at Studio Barre in 2021 and fell in love with the positive atmosphere that aligned with her movement philosophy. Sam is excited to once again connect her love of movement and fitness with better health outcomes in her clients!
Beverage of choice: ginger ale (non alcoholic) / anything tropical!(alcoholic)
Fur, fins, or feathers: fur 🐱
Describe your teaching style in one word: mindful
Lauren is a mom of two and a long time dancer and performer.
When not chasing her sweet little babes around, Lauren can be found running her adult dance & fitness studio in Massachusetts. This studio was created once she graduated college and craved to recreate the same lifestyle of constant movement and performance that she experienced in school. Now 12 years later, there is a space for adults to assemble, create, and inspire each other. Studio Barre has always been a happy place for Lauren to come and escape the daily bustle of life. She loves wearing the mic and creating a happy place for you.
Beverage of choice Iced Coffee
Salty or sweet? Salty
Product you can’t live without Chapstick
Corey, a native Rhode Islander, grew up in the small town of Foster. She began taking dance classes at the age of three and never gave it up. After graduating high school, she took her first professional dancing job, working on a cruise ship that traveled the world. She later received her esthetics license and worked at a spa in Providence, loving the feeling of pampering others. She eventually landed her dream job with the Radio City Rockettes, which led to her big move to New York. That’s where Corey really fell in love with group fitness and began teaching barre and other styles of fitness during her off-seasons. She saw how much barre classes did for her in not just her daily life, but her dancing career as well. Due to the craziness of 2020, Corey and her husband came back to RI for a while to stay with her parents and ended up not wanting to leave. As new residents to the Middletown area, Studio Barre was the first place Corey checked out and was hooked from the moment she walked through the door!
Beverage of choice: Iced Chai latte
Describe your teaching style in one word: Energetic!
Product you can’t live without: Glo Daily SPF
Rebecca grew up in Fall River, MA and started studying classical ballet at The Dance Academy at the age of five where she discovered her love of dance and movement. While training there, she performed with the spindle city ballet for 8 seasons. She later attended the University of Rhode Island and obtained a bachelor of science in kinesiology. While at URI, Rebecca found her true passion for not only health and wellness but for teaching others to love it as well. After graduating, she became an instructor at Studio Barre Newport and fell in love with the fun-loving atmosphere and the challenge the workout gives to clients of any fitness level and ability. She later became the Studio Manager and Master Teacher Trainer and eventually took over ownership in 2021. Owning such a special studio is Rebecca’s greatest (and most fun!) accomplishment so far and she can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Beverage of choice- margarita!
Salty or sweet- sweet
Describe your teaching style in one word- hard-hitting (in the best way!)
Kara was born right here in Newport, Rhode Island, and has lived on Aquidneck Island her whole life. She developed her love for fitness playing sports all throughout high school. She started teaching fitness classes while attending the University of Rhode Island where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Kara works in home care as a registered nurse for Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice seeing patients in Newport and Middletown.
Born and raised in Bristol, Carmen loves living right by the water. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2017 with a bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies. Carmen always knew she wanted to work with children but was not sure in what capacity. After working at an after school program she soon decided to pursue a Masters in the Art of Teaching at RIC, and hopes to teach elementary education when she graduates. Carmen has always been active, however, she has never felt as challenged as she is when taking a barre class. The rewarding feeling after taking class, as well as the warm and welcoming community is what hooked her. She believes nothing is better than being challenged with such a motivating and humble group surrounding her.
Allison grew up in Loudon, New Hampshire and developed a passion for dance at a young age, training in tap, jazz, and ballet. She moved to Rhode Island to attend Roger Williams University and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. While at RWU, Allison immersed herself in extracurricular activities, such as the dance club and the equestrian team. In the summer of 2012 she studied in New York City with the Rockettes as part of a week-long summer intensive. Allison discovered Studio Barre by chance; she saw an advertisement for a class and decided to give it a try. She was instantly hooked and began attending classes regularly. Allison enjoys not only the challenges that barre class offers, but the positive effects it has had on her body and mind. Allison taught at Studio barre for a little of two years (2017-2019) and with a heavy heart, she resigned to obtain her Masters’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johnson & Wales University. Upon completion of graduate school and her prerequisite for licensure, she returned to her Studio Barre family and is excited to continue to TUCK YOU UP!
Caroline fell in love with Newport when she moved here in 2010. After graduating from The University of Vermont with B.A. in English, she spent several years in Boston working in sales in the technology industry. She then spent a summer in Nantucket, returned to her hometown East Greenwich, and found her way to Aquidneck Island. Caroline lives in the 5th Ward of Newport, and sells residential real estate full time as a realtor with Remax Professionals of Newport, on The Fitzpatrick Team.
Sports and fitness have always been a passion of Caroline’s, and she’s always wanted to teach class. She was hooked since day 1 at Studio Barre and transitioned from a regular class attendee, to barre maven, and is now thrilled to have become a barretender!
Introducing the beautiful, Madelyn beck! madelyn has been taking classes with us since may of 2015 and loved it so much that she decided to begin barre{tending} in February 2018! born and raised in Newport, Maddie earned her bachelors degree in anthropolgy from Rhode Island college. maddie grew up dancing hip hop, played volleyball, ran cross country and is a former zumba instructor. it’s no wonder she is a perfect fit for our team. when she isn’t at the barre she enjoys traveling the world. Come take one or her classes and ask her about her journeys to South America, the Caribbean, Europe and her upcoming trip to Egypt!
Tay was born in warwick, ri but feels her true home is the coastal town of newport. after attending salve regina university for elementary/special education she hasn’t been able to completely shake the island life. she enjoys indulging in a good read, wearing sandals in the winter, and organizing… everything and anything! she juggles many roles along with her “barreista” duties: teaching in an elementary school, nannying, and is progressively studying for her certification in essential oil aromatherapy. due to her dance background she decided to give studio barre a try and is proud to say she never looked back. the physical and mental challenge of barre is grounding… making it easier for her to maintain a more balanced, healthy and productive lifestyle. tay believes that due to studio barre’s upbeat, encouraging, and incredibly close-knit community she is the happiest and most confident she has ever been. she wants everyone to feel as jazzy and beautiful as she does while sweat-sparkling in some kickass active wear at the barre!
Sydney grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and moved to Newport three years ago to attend Salve Regina University. She is a european history major and philosophy minor. After playing volleyball and ultimate frisbee in high school, Sydney was looking for a way to stay active in Newport. She was introduced to barre by her roommate, Emma, who is a barretender at Studio Barre! Sydney instantly fell in love with the studio and the close knit community!
emma grew up in northampton, massachusetts and moved to newport three years ago when she began studying social work at salve regina university. her background in ballet started young, at age 5, when she joined pioneer valley ballet’s pre-professional training program. during her training at pvb she performed in over 13 seasons of the nutcracker, and various other full-length ballets. after graduating from high school and her ballet company, she wanted to branch out and try new types of exercise. after trying just about everything, emma found barre and fell in love with how close to home she felt inside the studio. once she noticed how her confidence, strength and overall dancers body started to come back she became hooked, knowing that she needed to become a teacher of this amazing class!
jen, a native of aquidneck island, currently resides in middletown. a 2016 cum laude graduate of rhode island college, she earned her bachelor’s in elementary education with a concentration in special education of students with mild/moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. jen is currently the life skills special education teacher at tiverton high school. you can also catch her serving tables at the red parrot downtown. jen took her first barre class in 2015 when her best friend, devyn, became a barretender. she was instantly hooked and has been an avid tucker ever since!
jillian grew up in tiverton, ri and has lived in newport for the past 5 years. she studied early childhood education at the university of rhode island and continued post graduate at rhode island college, earning a masters in early childhood special education. jillian works for an early intervention agency throughout ri and works with the landing and lobster bar restaurants during the summer months. jillian loves to attend barre classes since taking her first class with studio barre newport in january 2015 where she became instantly obsessed! she has made so many connections with current and past clients and enjoys the close knit feel the studio generates. jillian has a strong passion for working with and helping people. she is so excited to be joining the studio barre family!
tanis spent most of her life in massachusetts before recently moving to the coast of rhode island. her early career was spent as an advertising manager for a pharmaceutical chain and a free lance writer before she became a full time stay at home mom to her four children. in 1995 she founded the celiac support group for children, inc. and subsequently camp celiac, the largest attended camp in the world dedicated to gluten-free children. tanis fell in love with barre after her business partner and daughter, kelsey, introduced her to it. completely amazed at how fast she saw results in her strength, posture and overall physique, she knew that becoming a studio barre owner was the next chapter in her life. when not at the barre, tanis can be found at the seashore, where her passion for sun, surf and fresh air is met. she values time spent with family, gardening and is an avid walker.