Barretenders
Adenike ‘Niki’ Corion-Landon
Niki is the Owner/Founder, Studio Coordinator and a Master Trainer at Barre Life Fitness Studio. After many years working in the Toronto Film Industry as a Wardrobe Stylist and later running a successful Spa business, she wanted to go back to her roots in dance and thought what better way than combining dance with fitness. With over 15 years of Ballet and Contemporary Dance Training, she wanted to develop her own barre method with a focus on the ballet conditioning that she and her instructors were essentially trained in. Niki is also certified in the Essentrics ® method, Personal Fitness Training, Pilates certified and Progressing Ballet Technique L1 Certified (PBT) Conditioning for young dancers. All of these disciplines are a great compliment to her love of dance. Her overall mission was to bring the barre method to Oakville as she knew the history of the barre technique is what produces the results our clients are striving for and will forever change your perspective on exercise and movement.
Suzanne Barkman
Originally from Ireland and with over 15 years teaching experience, Suzanne began her ballet training at the age of 4 years under the Royal Academy of Dance, London UK. After completing the Academy’s examinations, she was accepted by a junior professional ballet company to perform onstage around the country including a performance for the President of Ireland. Her passion for dance led to her desire to teach and after 2 years of teacher training, she received her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance and opened up a ballet school in Dublin. Since moving to Canada she has taught Ballet, Pilates and Barre in studios across the GTA. Suzanne is also certified in STOTT Pilates Matwork and Reformer and is one of our Master Trainers here at Barre Life.
Sarita V
Sarita started dancing Ballet at the age of three years old and was put into ballet when her parents noticed that she would literally walk across the floor on her toes. She studied at Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance, and was chosen to train in the special training program. While studying at Sean Boutilier she trained in the Cecchetti method with intensive exam training.She was thrilled to be able to be part of the production Swan Lake. After intensive ballet training, she changed it up and studied in the competitive stream at Canadian Dance Company. Training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe and Lyrical and traveled all over North America receiving many awards.Sarita not only has a passion for dance but also singing and acting. She is a graduate of The Randoph Academy for The Performing Arts, which is a triple threat performing arts school in Toronto. She also was one of the dancers on the TV show Class Act dancing with Gregory Hines. After graduation she studied Ballroom dance in South America and in Toronto. Since graduating from Randolph’s, Sarita has been teaching Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, lyrical, Hip hop to children and adults at a recreational and competitive level. Sarita also works as a Early Childhood Music Educator, teaching music to children and is presently one of our Progressing Ballet Technique L1 Certified (PBT) trained to condition young dancers and a Master Trainer here at Barre Life.
Laura Barney
Laura began her dancing journey at 3 years of age with ballet, tap, jazz and modern. She fell in love with teaching at the young age of 15 with the intense discipline of Ju Jitsu and wanted to share the importance of self-defence to her peers. Laura has since broadened her teaching disciplines with Stott Pilates Training, 100HR Yoga Certified and the Barre Life Instructor Certification. She has always loved the interaction with others, hearing their personal goals and working together in a way that motivates and improves. She brings to Barre Life her experience, hilariously outgoing personality and a continuous desire to learn.
Beckie Hastings
Beckie was just a kid dancing for fun who got put forward for an audition for a UK Ballet boarding school at the age of 11. She was fortunate enough to be offered a full scholarship to The Hammond School of Dance. Beckie completed the intense 5 years of training but opted out of the balletic path her teachers had intended for her. She was eager to expand her dance training to incorporate new styles and moved to London UK at the age of 16 to complete 3 years in one of the top UK triple threat colleges. This is where she received a diploma in Performing Arts from Laine Theatre Arts and earned her dance teaching qualifications along with the confidence to begin work with her first job at age 19 as a singer/dancer on Regent Seven Seas and Princess Cruises. Back in the UK she danced for artists such as B.o.B, Jason Derulo, Danny Howard, Example, Ollie Murs, Texas, Garry Barlow also dancing on adverts on UK Television and then launched her own company providing other dancers in the UK and Europe. Beckie moved to Canada in 2017 and completed her Instructor Certification at Barre Life and is always excited to share her amazing talent with our belles!
Christopher Nguyen
Chris is a movement educator. Curiosity is what brought Chris into his first yoga class. That curiosity marked the beginning of an ongoing journey and passion for the practice of yoga and a profound desire to deepen that relationship.
Chris is currently studying the Ashtanga Yoga method. With persistence, mindfulness and dedication, one’s yoga practice can only strengthen and grow deeper. In 2015, Chris embarked on two separate trip to Mysore, India to study with R.Sharath Jois and Saraswathi Rangaswamy at KPJAYI (Krishna Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute), the source of Ashtanga yoga. In 2018, Chris completed his fourth trip studying at the Shala with Paramaguru Sharath Jois. Chris is a certified Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist (FRCms) under Dr. Andreo Spina and continues to work with Head FRC & Kinstretch Master Instructor, Dana John Heimbecker. In 2018, Chris completed the Kinstretch Instructor training in the Functional Range Systems under Dewey Neilson and is currently completing the certification. He is also studying the art of hand balancing under renown circus performer and coach, Nicolas Montes de Oca and hand balance legend, Yury Bozyan. Chris is also a second-degree Reiki practitioner.
In 2017, Chris began his studies in contemporary Pilates with esteemed Pilates educator; Leslie Parker of Mindful Movement Centre and completed the Yoga Tune Up Level 1 Teacher Training created by Jill Miller. To Chris, yoga is not something to “excel” at but rather about cultivating contentment, compassion, mindfulness, self acceptance and bringing awareness into the body. Yoga has transformed his life on and off the mat. As a teacher, he aspires to help others find a santosha (contentment) and a deeper connection to themselves.
Julia Bonifacio
Julia has been dancing almost her whole life, and fell in love with ballet at a very young age. She successfully achieved her Solo Seal Award, the highest examination in the Royal Academy of Dance. Julia has spent summers training across Canada at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, and Rhythm and Grace Productions. She was also a part of the Canadian National Ballet’s Nutcracker. Julia loves the barre workout because she is able to incorporate her knowledge of ballet into fun and upbeat exercises. We love having her be a part of the barre life team.
Lorraine Clarke
After suffering a neck and shoulder injury from a car accident, Lorraine joined Barre Life Studio to aid in her rehabilitation and was quickly reminded of all the benefits that come from working out. With a strong background in both gymnastics and figure skating along with her coaching experience, Lorraine was destined for a career in physical fitness. As an Executive Recruiter, her natural tendency to mentor individuals and her genuine ability to connect with people on many levels made her decision to transition into the fitness industry a natural one. Lorraine is a Certified Essentics Level 1 Instrcutor and a certified Fitness Trainer (ISSA certified). She is passionate about helping others reach their goals.
Patricia de Vries
Patricia (Pat) worked in Marketing Management for over 20 years before embracing her second career in dance-based fitness. She became a certified Group Fitness Instructor with the American Council on Exercise in 2001 while living in New York. She has been teaching for over 15 years, including Cardio Dance, Zumba, Yoga and Barre. Her most recent passion is Essentrics, which combines flexibility and strength to lengthen and rebalance the body. She is delighted to expand this program at Barre Life and hopes to inspire people of all ages and fitness levels.
Lauren MacDonald
Lauren Rosemarie MacDonald is a Yoga Instructor, Barre Instructor, Holistic Nutritionist & Wellness Entrepreneur from Burlington. Lauren danced competitively through her younger years then carried her love for movement into yoga, barre & weight lifting which she enjoys daily. Lauren loves foods that nourish, music that moves you, experiences with adventure, lifting & loving others. We are so happy to have her as part of our family and we know that you will too!