CO-OWNER & INSTRUCTOR
Leigh has been a Thrive instructor for several years and previously taught at barre studios across the country. Like Jess, she also credits barre classes for keeping her strong, healthy and stable through the ups and downs of life and motherhood!
Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Leigh Beal holds a B.A. from Amherst College. She received her barre training at The Bar Method in San Francisco and went on to teach at studios in Berkeley, California as well as Scarsdale, New York. As a mother of two energetic children, Leigh credits barre classes for keeping her both physically and mentally strong. She enjoys sharing her passion for barre with her students and helping them achieve their wellness goals.
What inspires you? I am inspired by people who are not afraid to speak out against injustice and use their voice to create positive change.
How do you stay positive? Through exercise and gratitude lists!
CO-OWNER & RETAIL BUYER
Jessica is a long-time barre and fitness enthusiast. Thrive has been a second home to Jessica ever since she attended Danielle’s very first barre class in the studio’s original location. Thrive classes have carried Jessica through several pregnancies and have kept her grounded while raising four boys so she’s well aware of the importance of working out. Jessica has worn multiple hats in Pelham, through her service in the Junior League of Pelham, on the Pelham Board of Education, and through her work as a college consultant. A constant thread in Jessica’s life has been the desire to help others and to give back to her community.
Jessica loves the fact that Thrive is a community where everyone is made to feel comfortable and to have fun while exercising.
How do you keep so many balls up in the air? The key to juggling so many demands in life is smiling a lot, setting time aside for myself and just doing my best.
Aside from Thrive, where is your happy place? When I’m not at Thrive, I’m am most happy when I’m at the beach with my family in Madison, CT. It’s where I’m able to slow down, let go of the little things, and focus on what’s most important.
CO-OWNER & FITNESS MANAGER
Danielle has a BFA in Dance from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has been teaching barre for nearly 20 years throughout NYC, Westchester and Greenwich, CT and was trained by instructors from the original Lotte Berk Method. Danielle is a wife and a proud mama of 3.
What inspires you?: As an original founder of Thrive Barre & Fitness what inspires me is watching our Thrive community daily. The passion and talent of our incredible teachers, the beautiful strength and dedication of our students and the energy and enthusiasm of my new partners in Thrive, Jess and Leigh, inspire me every day.
Life Motto: It’s cliché I’m sure but I would say, focus on gratitude. All throughout the day I’m thinking about all of the wonderful things in life that I have to be grateful for. I think gratitude is the key to happiness.
Follow Danielle on Instagram @danielleaviezer
INSTRUCTOR
Natalie Bridges has been a Certified Yoga and Barre Teacher for 10+ years. She has formally taught for Exhale Mind Body Spa, Sweaty Betty, and Viacom. She is also a 305 certified instructor! Natalie's teaching style is fun loving but challenging, and motivational. In her Barre classes students will transition through moments of strength, stillness & stretch while focusing on form & technique. Her yoga classes will help her students engage their core and flow their bodies through lengthening asanas, all while gaining a rhythmic flow of breath. All levels are welcome to join and enjoy!
The secret to improving at the barre: Breathe...inhale & exhale your breath! Many people hold their breath and then run out of steam to maintain the position and the duration of movement. When you breathe you bring more oxygen to the muscles to allow for more gas to fuel your body for movement. By breathing a steady breath, you can maintain the position longer keeping the body at a calm concentrated state while reaching your peak performance level.
Who or what inspires me? Dance inspires me. As a former dancer in disciplines of Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, African & Choreography. I allow these forms to creatively flow into my curriculum making class fun, innovative & challenging.
INSTRUCTOR
Bianca is a dancer, performer, and dance teacher living in NYC. She holds a BFA in Dance with Honors from The University of the Arts and became a 305 Certified Instructor in July 2020. Bianca discovered 305 Fitness on YouTube at the beginning of the pandemic and instantly fell in love with 305's format and mission. She uses 305 as an outlet for spreading joy and inspiring others to love and celebrate themselves unapologetically. When taking Bianca's class, be ready for pure joy, uplifting positivity, and a ton of empowerment!
What makes you Thrive? Movement, dance, pursuing what I love, bringing joy to the world, helping others feel good, spirituality, my positivity, and my amazing friends and family.
INSTRUCTOR
Michelle is an ERYT-750. After leaving corporate America she completed her 200 hr teacher training in NY and then traveled to Rishikesh, India ( the yoga capital of the world) where she completed her 300 hr training and studied Ayurveda as well. She specializes in trauma informed yoga and is a Reiki healer also. She is passionate about the healing benefits of yoga mentally, spiritually and physically. As a former athlete and first responder, yoga has helped her heal many injuries that modern medicine could not. Michelle has spent over 10 years teaching yoga to kids and adults of all ages. She is excited to share, teach, and learn from all her students!
Aside from Thrive where is your happy place? Near water — lakes, beaches, ponds, or streams.
INSTRUCTOR & FUNCTIONAL NUTRITIONIST
Carol has worked in the fitness business most of her adult life. She discovered barre in 2003 and was immediately hooked. She began teaching barre while becoming certified as a holistic health coach and later became certified as a functional nutritional therapy practitioner. She has also recently become certified as a Restorative Wellness Practitioner, enabling her to test clients for hormone imbalances, food sensitivities, and digestive issues (parasites, leaky gut, IBS) and recommend protocols to eradicate these, bringing the body back into balance. Carol has a passion for great food and nutrition and as co-founder of Thrive she says, "I'm hoping to put it all together to inspire anyone who walks through our doors to realize his or her goals.”
What’s the single best food item everyone should have in their shopping cart? That’s impossible to answer! I love food so much! Just try for a good balance of protein, fat and veggies and leave the processed food behind.
What one thing can you do to improve your diet? Relax when you eat and chew your food well!
INSTRUCTOR
Originally from Louisiana, Hanne moved to New York to pursue a career in television as a producer. She worked on various reality TV shows, but her favorites were "My Super Sweet 16," where she met her husband, and "Say Yes To The Dress.” During this time she fell in love with barre classes, so when she moved to Westchester 3.5 years ago, she was thrilled to find a local studio and loved it so much that she got certified as a Bar Method Instructor. "I love barre classes and adore teaching. I think of a barre studio as a home and am beyond excited to be here at Thrive!"
What inspires you? My two kids inspire me. Their zest for life, sweetness, and love make me want to be a better person.
What do you do for self care? I love taking barre classes, cuddling with my dog, taking long baths, and watching "The Bachelor!"
INSTRUCTOR
Nancy, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian Nutritionist, has always loved science, helping others, and wellness which led her to choose her career career path. After completing her education, Nancy began studying ballroom dancing, focusing on Latin dancing, and eventually going on to teach both Latin and smooth styles. Nancy is a natural fit for Thrive as her love for the Core Barre method with its blend of dance moves and stretch achieve the ultimate level of wellness. Nancy is excited to give students the wellness benefits that have been given to her since coming to Thrive over three years ago and her cheerful demeanor and ‘push it to the max’ mentality gain maximum results for her regular class attendees.
What is your favorite barre song? Sway by the Pussycat Dolls
What is your tip for how to maintain happiness in life? I find happiness in kindness. Always say thank you, hold the door for the person behind you, smile at the cashier at the grocery store.
INSTRUCTOR
Olivia spent ten years dancing competitively, where she developed her love of rhythm, movement, and creativity. As a child, she recalls that dance served as an instrument for the confidence she carried with her as she grew older. Later she experienced a particularly trying period in her life and this is when she discovered Thrive. As an Iona University full-time student pursuing a B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Olivia needed something to help her cope with the pressures of school as well as the difficult emotions she was experiencing. She was able to rediscover her sense of purpose through Thrive. "I felt stronger after attending classes, specifically barre classes. I was taking control of my destiny by navigating my body and mind through the art of physical movement. Thrive's extremely upbeat environment and strong sense of community assisted in my healing.” Olivia feels fortunate to have transitioned from being a Thrive student to becoming a Thrive barre instructor! In the same way that Thrive, its teachers, and its presence guided her, she now feels has the honor and privilege of helping others navigate their own wellness journey.
What is your barre playlist style? My music tastes have always been diverse and include a wide range of genres, so it stands to reason that this translates into the playlists I make for barre! My style is any song that gives me motivation, energy, and the ability to enter into a zone. My music includes alternative r&b, reggaeton, house music, and more.
What motivates you? Knowing that I have the opportunity to better myself on all fronts—mentally, physically, spiritually, professionally, and more—keeps me motivated. Every time the sun rises, we are given an abundance of opportunities to seize, allowing us to shape our lives into whatever we choose. This is what makes me happy and drives me to keep going.