Fiona’s early training in Ballet and Contemporary dance was with both the Royal Ballet and Arts Educational Schools in London UK. She was a recipient of the Cecchetti scholarship award for three years affording her the very best training with Ballet icons such as Dame Ninette de Valois, Nancy Kilgour, Anton Dolin. Attaining the Advanced ballet examinations across both the RAD and Cecchetti syllabi with Honors and graduating with her Diploma in performance and an Equity Card. Fiona went on to have a busy and successful career working with notable Ballet companies across the United Kingdom and Europe, British Ballet Theatre, Dublin City Ballet, English National Ballet among them. Several music videos, Opera companies, Television and West End Theatre credits included both performing and choreography. She started her Pilates journey in the early 1980’s after ankle surgery and turned to the Pilates method to aid in her recovery. During this time Fiona was mentored by Gordon Thomson, co-founder with Lynne Robinson of Body Control Pilates, teaching private and group sessions at Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden and South Kensington. These were among the first Pilates studios to open in London, prior to Pilates becoming the household name it is today. Fiona certified through both the RSA and PEA examination boards, fully comprehensive 9-month programs covering personal training, group exercise, weight training, anatomy, and physiology. Over a 30-year career Fiona has danced and sang with, choregraphed and taught actors, musicians, rock stars, dancers, opera singers and everyone in between. She has always been passionate about helping her students attain their very best whether in a dance or Pilates studio.
Since moving to the USA Fiona has taught Pilates and Advanced ballet at the Chautauqua Regional Ballet School, Linda Dies Dance Express Company, co-directed / choregraphed two full length ballets for the Allegheny Regional Dance Theatre Youth Company, private and group Pilates classes for individual clients, Jamestown NY School district staff wellness program and student skaters at Jamestown Ice Arena.
Relocating yet again to the Pittsburgh area Fiona has continued to enjoy teaching both mat and equipment Pilates to private clients aged from 6-76 and has continued to study and stay current with trends and changes in the fitness industry. Fiona believes Pilates has endured, as it’s the perfect balance between strength and flexibility…coming only second to her other favorite exercise – a ballet class!
