Fluid Fitness boasts two master trainers and an exceptionally experienced staff, most of whom trained directly with Juliu Horvath, the creator of GYROTONIC®. Our multi-lingual staff also speaks Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, French and Italian.
For more information about our staff, please see their biographies below.
Lisa DelSignore
Director
Lisa DelSignore owns and manages Fluid Fitness promoting health and wellness through GYROTONIC® training. As a dancer, she performed with several modern and tap companies, danced off-Broadway, in regional theaters, and on national and European tours. She began her GYROTONIC® work in 1989 while recuperating from a dance-related back injury. During this time, she studied with the creator of the system, Juliu Horvarth and master trainer Hilary Cartwright. In 2000, Lisa received her GYROTONIC® instructor certification. She is also certified on the Jumping-Stretching Board, Leg Extension Unit, Gyrotoner® and the Ladder. Lisa continues to expand her knowledge through periodic training updates and complimentary techniques.
In addition to GYROTONIC®, Lisa worked with Pino Carbone in Florence, Italy, teaching both his ArtForm system and GYROTONIC®. Lisa is a certified instructor for the ArtForm equipment in Fluid Fitness: Pegasus, Elvis, and Masterstretch. She is also a Certified Power Plate® Instructor.
Felice Amera
Felice has studied a variety of classical and social dance forms over the years, among them classical ballet, the Graham technique and lindy hop. A graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music and the Arts as a ballet major, Felice went on to pursue a B.S. in Physical Education and Sports Studies from Rutgers University. During her time at Rutgers she discovered massage therapy as a healing modality and went on to get her NYS license through the Swedish Institute of Massage, as well as her reflexology certification. Thankful that her path led her to the study of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, Felice is continually inspired by the intelligence and richness of this amazing modality. In addition to teaching GYROTONIC®, Felice sees reflexology clients privately and is an avid swing dancer.
Juergen Bamberger
Master Teacher
Juergen Bamberger, authorized GYROTONIC® Master Trainer, is an internationally recognized educator and pioneer in the GYROTONIC® field. Since 1991, he has trained countless GYROTONIC® instructors around the world. He holds a BFA in Dance/Dance Education and his teaching experience encompasses more than 20 years. It is infused with his background in dance as well as the many schools of bodywork and movement techniques that he has studied and practiced. Juergen was on staff at the original White Cloud Studio in NYC. He was one of the first Master Trainers to be appointed by Juliu Horvath. From 1993-1998, he worked intensively within medical clinics in Germany and NYC, applying GYROTONIC® as Physical Therapy. Juergen is based in New York City and conducts teacher trainings in all aspects of GYROTONIC® internationally.
Alexandra Berger
Alexandra Berger came to New York City to pursue her BFA in Dance, which she received in 2003 from The New School University in conjunction with the Joffrey Ballet School. She was introduced to GYROTONIC® through her teacher, David Howard, and credits it with not only revolutionizing her dance technique but with reinforcing and enhancing her daily life. In addition to teaching at Fluid Fitness, Alexandra continues her dance career with Dušan Týnek Dance Theater.
Ben Brown
Ben Brown is a Licensed Massage Therapist certified by the Swedish Institute. He is also a certified GYROTONIC® instructor. Ben has extensively studied anatomy, physiology, Eastern evaluation, advanced Western techniques, and the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®. Ben has also volunteered his massage services for the U.S. Tennis Association, Beth Israel Jacob Perlow Hospice, Camp TLC - Joey DiPaolo Aids Foundation, H. Ling Therapeutic Clinic at The Swedish Institute and the New York City Marathon.
Ben's massage modalities include: Swedish, Sports, Myofascial, Deep Tissue, PNF techniques, Reflexology, Certified Pre and Post Natal, Five Element Shiatsu, Thai Yoga, and Hot Stone Massage. He also privately trains GYROTONIC® clients.
Hilary Cartwright
Master Teacher
Co-founder, with Juliu Horvath, of the White Cloud Studios in 1984, teaching both GYROTONIC® and yoga. Ms. Cartwright was formerly a soloist with the Royal Ballet England and subsequently their Ballet Mistress. She went on to positions as the Associate Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Director of the Netherlands Dans Theatre II. Currently, she works closely with American Ballet Theatre's JKO School. She is also an international guest teacher in ballet, yoga and GYROTONIC® and practices Energy work for injury prevention using flower essences.
Maryanne Chaney
Maryanne Chaney has studied GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® since 2000 and in 2004 became a certified Gyrotonic® instructor. As a dancer and choreographer, she has studied many forms of movement including ballet, modern and Irish dance as well as yoga and Alexander technique. She is continually inspired by GYROTONIC® and enjoys uniting all of her movement knowledge and experience into teaching.
Chris Hale
Chris Hale is an established dancer, performing with top recording artists. As a director, award-winning choreographer, and sought after teacher, he has traveled to work with professionals in the US, Canada and Europe. His nearly two years of work with GYROTONIC® methodology has greatly influenced his approach to teaching as well as his own dancing.
Soo Kyoung Jung
Soo Kyoung Jung was born in Seoul, Korea and received a BA in Modern Dance from Ewha Women's University in Seoul, as well as an MFA in Dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She has performed with numerous dance companies including Universal ballet and Tam Dance Company in Seoul, and Eun Me Ahn Dance Company, Doug Elkins, and Darrah Carr in New York and Jacob's Pillow.
Soo is a certified GYROTONIC® trainer. Her knowledge of dance and anatomy enhance her techniques and make her an accomplished and observant trainer.
Clarice Marshall
Clarice Marshall was a dancer for 35 years and danced in the companies of Mark Morris Dance Group, White Oak Dance Group, Rosalind Newman and David Gordon. Since she retired from dancing 15 years ago, she has been teaching Pilates and coaching dancers back from injuries. She is thrilled to have added GYROTONIC® to her teaching.
Kathleen McGovern
Kathleen McGovern, OTR/L has been working for the past 27 years with children and adults with varied neuromuscular, developmental, and physical problems. When certain client limitations did not respond to the standard therapeutic tools at her command, she pursued courses in Myfascial Release, Acupressure, and CranioSacral Therapy. These methods have proved effective in aiding her clients' recovery of pain free movement, range of motion, and improved skeletal alignment. Along with physical improvement, clients gain a more integral knowledge of their physical and emotional beings and how the two intersect.
Jeong-Nam Park
Jeong-Nam earned an MA in Dance in Higher Education at NYU. She danced as a soloist and was a choreographer in various dance companies in the U.S. and Italy. She was guest dance instructor at the University of Ohio, University of Akron, and Adjunct Dance Professor in the Art Communication Department at Bergen Community College in New Jersey from 1996-1999.
In 2000, Jeong-Nam became a certified instructor in both GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®. She believes that therapeutic exercise and movement rehabilitation can help her clients prevent injuries and improve their health when applied with her hands-on technique. She has extensive knowledge in the Ladder, Jumping Board, Gyrotoner® and Leg Extension machines.
Jeong-Nam participated in the Body Mind Conference 2004 in Santa Clara and GYROTONIC® Level II training program in New York.
Trebien Pollard
Trebien Pollard is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a BS in Mathematics Education and received his MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has performed with many dance companies, including the Martha Graham Ensemble, Metropolitan Opera Bellet, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Urban Bush Women, Pasacal Rioult Dance Theater, Pearl Lang Dance Theater, Rebecca Stenn Co., Erick Hawkins Dance Co. and Pilobolus. Currently he is the Assistant Professor in Dance at Adelphi University and has worked with the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® since 2007.
Lauren Puente
Lauren Puente is deeply committed to the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and the inherent intelligence and strength of each body. Lauren started her journey in GYROTONIC® in 2006 with Miriam Barbosa and was immediately drawn to the sophisticated system as it transformed her on a profoundly deep level. She has since trained under master trainers Mariarosa Gugliemi, Young-ah Kim, Leda Franklin and the renowned master trainer Hilary Cartwright. She is continually inspired by her clients' unique potential and hopes to guide them towards a more integrated self, moving pain and injury free, with awareness and joy.
Lauren is a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® instructor, an authorized Gyrotonic Pre Trainer, and certified on the Jumping-Stretching Board, and GYROTONER®. She has also completed the specialized courses, Applications for Breast Cancer survivors, and Application for Professional Dancers.
Carla Rigon
Master Teacher
Carla Rigon has been working with Gyrotonic® since 1998. She is a Master Trainer in both GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®. Carla had the privilege of being trained by the founder, Juliu Horvath. She also worked with Pino Carbone, creator of the Art Form equipment, and served as his assistant in summer workshops from 2001-2003. Carla’s background includes training in music, Pilates, and diverse dance techniques.
Carla received her Trainee Certificate at the Martha Graham School, and performed with the company at Spoletto Festivals, in Spoletto, Italy and Charleston, South Carolina. She has also danced with the New York Metropolitan Opera productions of Moses und Aron, Samson et Dalila, Parsifal and Turandot.. Other performance credits include: Richard Move's Martha @ Mother, Roots of Brazil, and Martita Goshen. Carla danced in Ghost Light, a feature film about the life of Martha Graham.
Masami Saito
Masami Saito began studying GYROTONIC® in 1997. She is from Japan, where she studied, performed, and taught ballet, jazz and theater dance. Her interest in dance and movement led her to first explore GYROTONIC® in Osaka, Japan. Masami received her GYROTONIC® certification from Juliu Horvath, the creator of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®. Masami is also certified in Shiatsu, Reiki and Lymph Meridian Treatment. She is continuing her studies of advanced Reiki, Aromatherapy, Medical Aromatherapy and other complimentary techniques.
Keith Stiles
Keith A. Stiles, is a Licensed Massage Therapist in New York and Massachusetts and professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association, who has more than 15 years of sports, orthopedic and clinical massage expertise. He is a graduate with high honors from the internationally-renowned Boulder College of Massage Therapy (BCMT), in Boulder, Colorado.
In January 2009 at the conclusion of his Cirque touring , Keith joined 3-time “Best of Boston” Moore Massage. Keith’s profesional journey has continued with a move to Manhattan. His practice includes work at Fluid Fitness (Bryant Park), Manhattan house-calls and continued work with Cirque du Soleil and their most recent productions, Wintuk, Banana Shpeel & OVO.
Email: stilesmassage@gmail.com Website: StilesMassage.com Phone: 646.241.4114
Nellesa Walthour
Nellesa Walthour is a certified instructor in Gyrotonic and mat Pilates. She trained on full fellowship at the Alvin Ailey School and danced with companies that include Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Soundance Repertory and Nathan Trice Rituals. She has had the pleasure of working with such choreographers as Ron Brown, Hope Clarke, Sean Curran, Alonzo King, and Donald McKayle. Nellesa’s favorite theater credits include Disney’s The Lion King, Ragtime (Kennedy Center), Once on This Island (Andrea), and Pippin (Fastrada u/s). In addition to teaching Gyrotonic and dance, she also writes the blog pages at Fluid Fitness. She is a graduate of Harvard College with a BA in Psychobiology.
