Pilates Heights Origin Story
Established in 2014, Pilates Heights was founded by Brooklyn-native and Pilates enthusiast Kristine Storie, when she grew tired of taking the train to Manhattan to take her favorite fitness classes. Since then, the studio has hosted tens of thousands of classes and clients, with an emphasis on functional fitness, community, and fun.
Kristine Storie, Pilates Heights Founder
Kristine is a finance geek turned fitness buff who turned a passion into a career when she noticed the wide-open fitness landscape in her home borough of Brooklyn. Kristine is certified in both Pilates and Barre, and has been teaching since 2010. She currently lives near San Diego, CA with her husband Bryce and their toy poodle Remy. Thanks to her rockstar team, Kristine is able to work remotely and stay very plugged in to the studio. She has strong ties to Brooklyn through family and friends, and makes frequent visits. Look out for a guest spot on the schedule!
Maria Gardner, Director of Studio Operations
Maria has been working at Pilates Heights since 2015. She joined the studio as a front desk assistant, a job she took primarily so she could stay connected to her dance roots (and also so she could take free classes!) It wasn’t long before Maria took on an increasing level of responsibility. During the shutdown, Maria assumed the role of full-time director of studio operations and today oversees staffing, scheduling, facilities, and customer service. Maria is originally from Ohio, and attended college in Pittsburgh at Point Park University, where she received a degree in Dance.
Narissa Herndon, Head Instructor
Working out with Narissa is more than just a class, it’s a full-on experience. Narissa is a powerhouse instructor with a super-sized personality and top-notch teaching skills. Her fitness career began as a Pilates instructor in her hometown city of Las Vegas. Narissa moved to NYC in 2016, and joined the Pilates Heights teaching team in 2018, when she added Barre to her teaching resume. A tough but fair instructor, Narissa believes fitness should be fun, and that it can be life-changing. She highly values the bond that can be formed with the client, in a fun, supportive and high-energy environment.
Nicole Calabrese, Head Instructor
The brilliant and kind-hearted Nicole is originally from Rochester, NY, but has called NYC home since 2009. She has an extensive background in dance, and since 2015 has been teaching fitness classes at Pilates Heights. Nicole is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor through the prestigious BASI program, and is also certified in Barre. Affectionately nicknamed the “velvet hammer”, Nicole’s classes are challenging but doable. She is truly skilled at teaching to all levels with her thoughtful suggestions on how to make movements easier or harder, giving clients agency over their own bodies.
Kat Chaney, Instructor
Kat is originally from Ohio and came to NYC in 2014 to pursue acting. Fitness classes quickly became an outlet as she navigated life in a new city. Kat joined our team in 2020 at the outset of the pandemic lockdown. She completed Barre teacher training virtually, and joined an all-virtual teaching team later that year. When the studio re-opened its doors, Kat hit the ground running and is now one of our primary instructors. In 2022, she completed her Pilates certification with BASI Pilates to round out her teaching credentials. Kat strives to inspire clients to be strong, healthy, and confident in their bodies.
Kierra Burke, Assistant Studio Manager
Kierra joined the Pilates Heights team in July 2022 to help manage the myriad details involved with running a smooth fitness studio operation. Kierra’s a country girl, originally from Maryland, who moved to the city in 2018 to attend graduate school. She currently produces and co-hosts an interview series she created titled Yas Black Girl, and one day aspires to found her own media company. Kierra’s favorite food is pizza (she moved to the right city), and she also loves music and horror movies.
Natalia Brown, Instructor
Natalia is originally from Poland, but she’s called NYC home since 2006 which makes her equal part New Yorker. A lifelong dancer and athlete, Natalia pursued teaching fitness as an outlet to share her enthusiasm and passion for movement with others. She is a BASI-trained Pilates Mat instructor and is also certified in Barre. Natalia teaches a powerful, action-packed class that will have you sweating and moving constantly. When she’s not teaching, Natalia has her hands full with her young twins Ethan & Dahlia.
Hannah Flam, Instructor
Hannah joined our teaching team in 2016, shortly after relocating to New York. Originally from Minnesota, Hannah studied theater at the University of Michigan. Hannah is a Balance Body certified Pilates instructor, and is also certified in Barre. Standing at 6' tall, Hannah is a vivacious, positive and encouraging instructor with a strong presence and a warm and welcoming energy. She’s also been very influential in our programming, and was on the forefront of the restorative class trend when in 2018 she created our Gentle Barre class format and conviced us to make it permanent fixture on the schedule.
Gregory Louis, Instructor
Gregory is classically trained through the Equinox Pilates Teacher Training Institute, and has spent the past decade teaching and studying Pilates on both the east and west coasts. He has also dabbled as a fitness model and workout contributor for Pilates Style Magazine. A native of Buffalo, NY, Gregory discovered Pilates in his 20s as an extremely effective remedy for old sports injuries. Having taught in Manhattan the past several years, Gregory is thrilled to mark his position with Pilates Heights as his very first time teaching Pilates in his home borough of Brooklyn—something he says has been long overdue.
Lili Tewes, Instructor
Lili is originally from Hamburg, Germany and has an impressive and extensive background in dance, both as a performer and master instructor. Lili graduated from the Martha Graham School, where she danced principal roles in several of Graham's ballets. Lili began taking Barre and Pilates classes as a way to stay strong while dancing professionally and teaching workshops across the globe. Lili’s classes are focused on finding joy and empowerment through movement and its transformational benefits for both body and mind. Fun fact: Lili has a secret life as a professional Hula dancer.
Chana Wilmowsky, Instructor
Chana is a New Jersey native turned Brooklynite and busy mom of 3. She worked at the front desk for 5 years before taking the plunge to become an instructor. Chana initially discovered Pilates at an after school program in 8th grade. She fell in love with the way it made her body feel and wanted to share that experience with others. Chana is Mat certified through Pilates on Fifth and completed Barre training in 2024. Her classes are vibrant and energetic, but also controlled and focused. In her spare time, Chana enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as cooking, reading, and interior design.
Christina Macchiarola, Instructor
Christina discovered her love of movement and dance at a young age while growing up in New Jersey. After moving to NYC for college and then to pursue a career in marketing, fitness remained a constant in her life. Christina is Pilates Mat-certified through Equinox and is a longtime Pilates Heights client (over 1,300 classes and counting)! Christina's classes are ergonomically-oriented, modification-friendly, and, above all, a good time. She brings an exuberant energy to the studio and her goal is that every client leaves class feeling their best.
Rory Furey-King, Instructor
Rory is an actor and Pilates instructor with roots in 20+ years of dance. After growing up doing pre-professional intensives at the Joffery Ballet and Paper Mill Playhouse, she moved to London for her BFA at ArtsEd in Musical Theatre. She made her professional debut in Mamma Mia 2 before touring in London’s Cats. An avid Pilates practitioner since age 14, Rory is certified through East River Pilates. After years of intense and often humor-less technical dance training, Rory prioritizes fun and laughter as part of their teaching style. Rory is also Yoga Certified and a Housewives enthusiast.
Leah Suskind, Instructor
Leah is a native of Randolph, NJ and a recent graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance. She is currently a company member with Jon Lehrer Dance Company in NYC. Leah has attended programs at Jacob’s Pillow, Orsolina 28, the Juilliard School, and with companies such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Rockettes, and the Martha Graham Company, and has had her own choreography featured in dance festivals. Leah is excited to bring her love of dance and movement to the floor as a fitness instructor.
Tree Thompson, Instructor
Tree found Pilates on a whim and was immediately fascinated by her new sense of body awareness, which carried into her pole dance and contortion practices. She decided to get certified so she could help others feel more connected to their bodies. Tree aims to create a grounding space where clients feel challenged, curious, and empowered to make the right choices for their bodies. Tree is originally from Kansas and has called Brooklyn home since 2019.
Cathryn Harding, Instructor
Cathy is a longtime Pilates Heights client turned instructor. She has been teaching for 15 years and is certified by Stott Pilates. Her instruction is guided by a focus on form and core principles that develop ease of movement, articulation of joints, anatomical awareness, and endurance. A former dance critic and journalist now working as an executive at a NYC dance company, Cathy is a dedicated practitioner of Pilates, Barre, Katonah yoga and spin.
April Frazier, Instructor
April’s classes are inclusive, fun, sweaty, playful, self-empowering and community-centered. Her journey into fitness was sparked by her commitment to equity when she began teaching in schools, youth detention centers, and shelters. She is a certified NASM personal trainer and is also certified in Yoga, Barre, Pilates and IntenSati (combining positive affirmations with physical movement). Outside of teaching, April is a foster mother, where she practices the power of play.
Darren McArthur, Instructor
Originally from Ohio, Darren earned his BFA in Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. His extensive performing career includes dancing internationally on cruise ships, in regional theater productions, and on national tours. A dedicated artist and teacher, Darren is thrilled to now bring his passion for movement to Pilates Heights as a Barre instructor, sharing his expertise and love for dance in every class.
