Ann McMillan M.Sc.
President and founder

Ann McMillan was the first instructor to bring Pilates to the province of Québec when she opened the Centre Pilates de Montréal in 1992. She discovered Pilates while pursuing a dance career in New York City in the 80's, and went on to complete her Master's thesis in Exercise Science at the University of Montreal where she continues to lecture today. Her graduate work was the first to establish a scientific link between Pilates and improved dynamic posture in ballet dancers. Adapting the Pilates work to help keep dancers fit and help them recover from injury has been at the core of Ann's practice from the start.

In recent years, professional athletes have also turned to Ann to help them hone their skills. Among them we find Olympic Gold Medalist Mogul Skier Jennifer Heil, Super Middle Weight Boxing Champion Lucian Bute and the Canadian AA Synchronized Swimming Team. In the fall of 2011, Canada's top ranked female freestyle swimmer, Victoria Poon, has started to train with Ann who is delighted to help this talented athlete develop her full potential. Ann is thrilled to share her knowledge of Pilates with elite athletes.

She has given internal Pilates teacher training at many institutions in Quebec and has often lectured in France at the University of Bordeaux. In 2012, her lecture circuit will take her to the University of Lyon in France in February, in Boston for Pilates on Tour in September and to many local engagements across the province of Quebec. She will also present at Canfit Pro in Montreal in February. Being the province of Quebec's pioneer Pilates instructor, she has regularly appeared in both the French and the English media since 1992. Numerous magazines, newspapers and television shows have been and still are turning to her to inform the public about the method.

She did her first teacher training program in New-York with Romana Kryzanowska in the early 90's and also had the privilege to take sessions with Kathy Grant. Her master's thesis was completed in 1996 and she then took part in the Polestar Pilates teacher training program. She trained instructors for the Polestar program in eastern Canada in the late 90's. She officially started her own teacher training program in 2003. Throughout her career her most influential instructor has been and remains Elizabeth Larkam who Ann considers a constant source of learning and inspiration.

In 2007 the Centre Pilates de Montreal founded by Ann in 1992 became Ann McMillan Pilates and moved to spacious new studios in the heart of downtown Montreal. For more on the studio please visit www.ampilates.com

Roxane Joubert B.Sc.
Chief Instructor

Roxane Joubert is passionate about dance. She completed a Bachelors degree in kinesiology in 2002 at l'Université de Montréal. As a Pilates instructor at the CPM she teaches to wide variety of customers from out of shape people to high performance athletes. Very involved in the instructor training program at Ann McMillan Pilates® she has been leading Mat training classes since 2003. Passionate about her work, Roxane studies human anatomy while perfecting her Pilates technique. Roxane is a fully certified Gyrotonic® instructor. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus.

Mélissa Tremblay B.Sc.
Instructor and team leader by interim

Mélissa developed an interest for physical activity during her adolescence, her main focus was swimming. Her academic choices were guide by her knowledge of just how beneficial physical activity can be. She graduated from l'Université de Montréal in 2004 with a BA in kinesiology. Her studies broadened her horizons towards different types of training. She gave different training classes like aqua fitness and spinning. Her interest in dynamic posture and rehabilitation brought her to Ann McMillan Pilates®. In the future she wants to refine her technique and to always be learning more. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus.

Lisa Pelletier B.Sc.
Instructor

Fascinated by the performing arts Lisa developed early on a passion for dance. It was while teaching dance that Lisa became aware of just how complex the human body in motion is. Her curiosity and desire to learn led her to complete a BA in kinesiology at l'Université de Montréal in 2006. During her studies she did an internship at the Pilates Center of Montreal. Here she discovered a philosophy and a method that matched her personality and professional aspirations. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus.

Mélanie Castonguay B.A.
Instructor

Mélanie has combined dance and martial arts in her training regimen for many years. She discovered, adopted and trained as an instructor of the Pilates Method after completing her BA in contemporary dance at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Her passion for movement comprehension then brought her to pursue a Specialised Superior Studies in Somatic Education (Feldenkrais profile) at UQAM. This combination of knowledge from varied backgrounds makes Mélanie a very capable and clear thinking instructor able to combine the art and science of movement. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus..

Diana Gonzalez B.Sc.
Instructor

Eager to let others experience the same benefits that she gets from regular physical activity practice, Diana followed a physical conditioning group instructor in 2004. This experience influenced her career choice. In 2005, she started a bachelor in kinesiology at Université de Montréal. At the same time she worked in different workplace wellness programs and with elder adults. In 2008, looking for new tools to make training of her clients more functional she followed the Mat instructor training at Ann McMillan Pilates. She fell in love with the method and she decided to follow all the training offered by Ann McMillan Pilates® and became an instructor. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus.

Marie-Josée Packwood B.A.
Instructor

Marie-Josée discovered Pilates through her many years of dance. She holds a Bachelors' degree in dance teaching from UQAM. She undertook her Pilates instructor training with Ann McMillan motivated by the desire to share with others the method from which she has gotten so many benefits. Her plan is to constantly perfect her knowledge of the method and the human body in motion. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus.

Patricia Duthilleul B.Ed.
Instructor and massage therapist

Patricia has been teaching Pilates since 1998. She was drawn to it because of its complete and thorough program of mental and physical conditioning. Patricia's study of movement began as a competitive track and field athlete; she competed for ten years at the provincial and national levels. She then went on to complete her bachelor's degree in physical education at McGill University and a diploma in massage therapy kinesitherapy at Académie de Massage Scientifique. Her fascination with Pilates and interest in learning more about the principles of this technique lead Patricia to follow her instructor training with Ann McMillan. Instructor certified in Therapeutic Pilates on apparatus.

Alexander Richardson BFA
Instructor

Alex came to Ann McMillan Pilates while studying dance at Concordia University. Since then, Alex has developed a passion for Pilates and enjoys sharing its many benefits with others. Alex's teaching method is influenced by his experience as a professional dancer and yoga instructor. Current interests for Alex include finding new ways to increase flexibility while maintaining alignment, and how to increase strength without adding tension to the body.

Joanne Parent
Instructor

Joanne nurtured her passion for dance from an early age. Her interest in movement and body control, expressed through studies of jazz, modern dance and ballet, has always led her to explore new horizons. As she pursues her study of architecture, her first contact with Pilates comes in the form of a dance internship with a teacher from New York. Fascinated by the benefits of this technique, Joanne undertakes several courses, exploring different styles and approaches, receiving numerous certifications in the process. She completed her studies with Stott Pilates ™ / ® in 2005. Always looking forward to new challenges, it's at Ann McMillan Pilates that she continues to deepen her knowledge by offering group mat classes.

Tatiana Sacramento
Instructor

Born in Brasil, Tati completed her physiotherapy studies at the University of "École Bahianese de Médicin et Santé Publique". Her interest for the human body brought her to study Global Postural Re-education and Pilates. The AMP is proud to collaborate with such an accomplished individual. Tati moved to Montreal in July 2009 and is awaiting her equivalence from the Ordre professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec.

Noemie Chabot B.A. , BCSI®
Therapist in Structural Integration

Passionate about health, the wonders of human body and of its incredible potential for change, Noemie first encountered Structural Integration in 2006. After studying with Tom Myers, she graduated in 2008, and now helps people free themselves from chronic pain, improve performance, and simply rediscover the joy of being at ease in their own bodies. In addition to her commitment to continuing education, she is currently a teaching assistant for Tom Myers in the Structural Integration training program in the U.S., co-director of the Fleur d'Asphalte dance and creation studio, and feels privileged to be able to work with the high-level team at Ann McMillan Pilates.

Daniel Bradshaw M.Sc.
Masso-Dynamik therapist

Founder of the Masso-Dynamik approach, he is a member of the Association des kinésiologues-kinésithérapeutes et des orthothérapeutes de la province du Québec (AKKOPQ) and of the Fédération des massothérapeutes du Québec (FQM). Daniel started studying massage therapy back in 1998. He was deeply influenced by his studies at The Guijek Institute where he learned kinesitherapy. During that time he got to learn more about anatomy and common pathologies. He then acquired basic training in traditional Chinese medicine and studied Shiatsu at Kine Concept. Yearly training sessions and new techniques are part of his continuing education program and he strongly believes that by freeing the body one can free the mind.

Clara Lew-Levy
Instructor

Clara will be away studying in Japan until September 2012. We wish her a great trip abroad.

Ever since she was a little girl, Clara had a passion for ballet. She studied dance at l'École Superieur de Danse du Québec and at Ballet Divertimento and had as a mentor Denise Biggi, now artistic director of the Cirque Du Soleil in Orlando. She has had the privilege to dance the Nutcracker with les Grands Ballets Canadiens and participated in a summer intensive in Melbourne at the Australian Ballet school. Its through her training that she discovered the benefits of Ann McMillan Pilates to her dancing and decided to deepen her knowledge by becoming a certified instructor on apparatus and mat. Her dream? Exporting Pilates to Japan!

Maude Royer
Instructor

Starting at a young age, Maude's passion for movement leads her to practice basketball and other sports. She holds a Bachelor's degree in political science from UQAM. In 2009 she discovered Pilates at our studios. It was instant love at such a strong level that she decided to divert her career track and start the AMP instructor training. Her passion and growing curiosity for the human body now brings her to initiate an ergonimics degree. Maude is also completing a journalism certificate at Concordia University and wishes to translate her passion for Pilates and sports through her writing.

Morgane Doucet
Instructor

Born in France, Morgane began very early practicing jazz dance. She participated in various regional competitions and national dance trainings. Her dance education lead her to improve her technique with renowned dancing teachers in Paris and in Nice. After training in Body-mind centering technique with Robert Bral in Paris, she studied Pilates with Cristiane Domenici in Cannes. She is a Gyrotonic Instrutor Level 1 since June 2008 after a undergoing the Gyrotonic Expansion System advanced training in Cannes and in Paris. In addition, she is currently studying Gyrokinesis. Since February 2010 she resides in Montreal and studies and completes at Ann McMillan Pilates her Pilates mat and apparatus instructor training.

Fernando Bortolini
Instructor

Since a very young age, Fernando has been drawn to physical activity, volleyball and swimming in particular. Born in Brazil, he graduated in Physiotherapy at the University Feevale in 2005. A few months later, he was introduced to Pilates while working as a physiotherapist. The benefits of Pilates attracted him and he decided to deepen his knowledge by becoming a certified instructor on apparatus and mat, in 2006. Fernando joined the Ann McMillan Pilates team in June 2011 where he combines his physiotherapy skills with Pilates exercises to better help his clients. He's started the process of becoming a member of the Quebec Physiotherapy Order when he moved to Montreal in 2011.

Alicia Smithers
Instructor

Originally from Ottawa, Alicia Smithers has danced since she can remember. She pursued professional classical and contemporary dance training in Montréal at L'École Supérieure de danse du Québec, and at Les Ateliers de Danse Moderne de Montréal. Throughout her dance career, she also has had the opportunity to explore and study other complimentary disciplines such as Pilates, stretching, music, theatre, somatic education and massage. As a certified AMP Mat and Apparatus Pilates instructor, she is determined to offer the best quality of care. She joined Ann McMillan's team in September of 2011. Alicia is enthusiastic about empowering all of those she works with through the development of efficient movement.

MaudeTessier B. Sc.
Instructor

Maude is a former swimming athlete. Today her passions are Pilates and running. Maude completed her degree at Laval University in kinesiology. Afterwards, she worked at Québec en Forme, Marie-Victorin Sports Complex and The YMCA's of Quebec. She is presently completing her master's degree in kinesiology at the Université de Montréal. She has been practicing Pilates since 2008. In 2011, Maude decided to follow the Instructor Mat Training at Ann McMillan Pilates. Now, she wants to transmit her passion for Pilates by teaching and by continuing her instructor training with the team at Ann McMillan Pilates.

Anne David D.O.
Intructor Trainer

This ex world class level skier has been passionate about Pilates since 2004. Unfortunately, her performances as a high calibre athlete has taken its toll on her body and left her with numerous injuries. She studied three years in Physical Education and obtained her French State Diploma as a "Masseur-Kinésithérapeute" in 1988. She was also received the following diplomas: "Rééducation Posturale Globale" in 1991, "Sophrologie" in 1994 and Osteopathy in 1998. She has been working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes of various disciplines since 1987. She added to her credentials the Ann McMillan Mat Training in 2004 and Apparatus Training in 2009. Since 2011 she has been teaching the Ann McMillan Pilates Instructors Training Program in the Quebec City region.

Stéphane Bazabas
Massage Therapist

Stéphane is an exotic flower: this experienced massage therapist, who resides in Tahiti, has established himself in Montreal for the fall to pursue the AMP Pilates mat program. His personalised massage offers a soothing, relaxing approach
On top of massage therapy, Stéphane has studied reflexology and Chinese acupuncture.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to let a little Pacific Island therapy help soothe your body and soul. Stephane likes to use bio essential oils to add a touch of paradise to his practice. Take an appointment with Stephane while he is here with us and treat yourself to a massage journey South Pacific style!