Teachers
Bet Miller founded Pulse Barre CT in October of 2020. Bet has taken her love for dancing, exercise and health to create a supportive atmosphere where people can strive to meet their fitness goals.
She started dancing at the age of 12 and then translated her dance background into teaching Jazzercise during her 20's. Her love of fitness continued to grow while she immersed herself in all aspects of health and wellness. Then she discovered barre and fell in love! Bet is very passionate about teaching and loves watching her students smile and sweat.
Bet grew up in Canton where she currently resides with her husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs.
Susan Rietano Davey has been teaching fitness since college - everything from Aerobics and Dance to Yoga, Pilates, and Barre. Most recently, she was an instructor at the Yoga Center of Collinsville - a 21-year veteran of the studio, and one of the two original instructors. Susan has been trained and certified in many fitness practices over the years, and continuously pushes herself to learn and grow. A lifelong athlete, she leads a physical practice that integrates movement and breath to strengthen, sculpt, and stretch the whole body. Students appreciate Susan's knack for seamless cuing; creative, fresh sequencing; and her ability to scale instruction to suit students' various fitness levels. Married to Bob, and mom to Tucker, Jackson, Hannah, and Luke, Susan is a global workplace expert and co-founder of Prepare to Launch, LLC. She teaches our Yogalates and Barre classes, and subs Yoga classes whenever she can. A musician and audiophile, Susan sets all of her classes to lively, eclectic music that keeps students inspired and motivated; every class brings something new, and all classes are open to fit students of any age and experience level.
Melody Rhodes has been teaching yoga in the Farmington Valley since earning her 200 hour RYT certification in 2015. Connecting with people through the practice of yoga and witnessing the transformations students experience has been more fulfilling than she ever expected. Her focus is on guiding students toward realizing their own strength physically, mentally and spiritually through the tools that yoga offers.
Leeny Shahverdian started her yoga journey with Bev Kent in 2006 and has been practicing ever since. She is a retired Physical Educator and was a competitive gymnast and coach for many years. She raised her three children in Collinsville where she lives with her husband.
Katie Deming began her journey as a Yoga teacher in 2013, and her love of the practice and art of teaching has only grown since. Having taught a wide variety of styles over the years, Katie has gathered the experience required to support all students from beginner to advanced. Katie's classes emphasize the balance between strength and flexibility, fluidity of movement and breath, dynamic sequencing, and inviting students to feel all the subtleties the practice of yoga has to offer. When not teaching group classes or private yoga sessions, Katie has also been a practitioner of Thai Yoga Massage since 2017, and offers one on one sessions by appointment.
Mckenzie Piehl began practicing Yoga in 2016 as a way to slow down and reconnect with her body. As she became more serious about her practice and studies, she felt a newfound sense of peace and healing that she wanted to share with others. Her explorations led her to become a 200 hour certified Embodyoga teacher in 2019. She hopes to spread more light into people's lives as she provides a space for students to move in ways that feel good.
Kari Mullins has a passion for all things dance and fitness. A dancer since the age of 3 and a state champion gymnast by age 7. Sports and fitness were always a huge part of her life since a very young age - she grew up playing basketball, softball, and field hockey. Kari loves all types of dance fitness and when she found barre, she quickly fell in love with the classes and movements that it led to her teaching. HIIT Barre came naturally as it is the perfect combination of low impact cardio movements and weights for a workout that gives you strength and endurance.
Kari has three young boys and a golden retriever that keep her very busy. A graphic designer for 15 years, she works full-time as a marketing project manager for a large technology company.
Jenn Dingee's passion for fitness and wellness began over 25 years ago when she first started working in a health club. Prior to having her daughter, she owned and operated Synergy Fitness through which she provided massage therapy and personal training; and taught group fitness and yoga classes. Jenn's interest in wellness is expansive - she also holds certifications in nutrition, wellness consulting, and most recently became a Youth Exercise Specialist. Jenn coaches multiple youth sports and is an avid runner and hiker and lover of the outdoors. She lives in Canton with her daughter, husband and two dogs.
Katie Grady graduated in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Management and a minor in Business Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma City University. She trained in a variety of styles at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment. She first started dancing at the age of two and has loved it ever since. While searching for a new and exciting way to keep up with her dance training, Katie began taking barre classes in the summer of 2022. Soon enough, it became her favorite activity. She is excited for the opportunity to share her love of movement and music with others.
Mandie Rueckert has been a fitness instructor for the past 9 years, teaching Jazzercise, and is a certified Pre/Postnatal Performance Training Specialist. She started dancing at 8 years old and continued into her early 20’s. Her love of dance and fitness has continued throughout the years, and she finds much joy in helping others feel their best and work toward being stronger and healthier.
Mandie works full-time as a school psychologist in a high school and is a proponent of mental health and the idea that mental and physical health are innately linked.
Mandie lives with her husband and 2 children in Canton where she has lived for the past 15 years.
