Meet Our Team

In February 2020, the Pilates instructor and former advertising sales exec opened the doors of boutique studio BK Pilates in Charlotte's South End. She'd just landed from New York City, where Meredith and Marina Kaydanova, the founder of BK Pilates NYC, met. Meredith took the BK Pilates workouts with her to the South, introducing a style that's all about alignment and slow, controlled movements for tone, endurance, and good posture. Meredith is a certified Balanced Body instructor with over 12 years of practicing experience. Catch her on the schedule every day but Sunday. She likes to catch up on some sleep and practice some self-care! You may also find her at her local favorite spots, the Waterman or Foxcroft Wine Bar.

While growing up in St. Louis, Rebecca began dancing at the age of 3 and continued her dance education while in college at Ball State University. With a degree in communications design, she went on to work as a graphic designer and photographer in Indianapolis. After feeling disconnected and uninspired from sitting behind a desk all day, she became a certified yoga instructor and started teaching in 2017. After trying her first few Pilates privates, she felt like she had found her missing piece and began her Pilates training through Balanced Body. She received her comprehensive Pilates certification in 2021 and has since been working full-time as an instructor and studio manager at a boutique studio in Indianapolis.

She loves helping people understand and feel connected to their bodies through movement and believes it can be such an amazing tool for healing, transformation, and growth in all areas of life. While always challenging and humbling, Pilates shows you your potential and then allows you to surpass it over and over. Because of its impact on her own life, she feels honored to be able to share this method with others, develop lifelong relationships, and build a community around her passion. She has worked with all ages, pro athletes, and pre/post-natal clientele and loves to teach a blend of classical and modern in her classes.

She just moved to Charlotte with her husband and two cats and is so excited to join the team and start teaching at both BK locations. Please welcome this midwestern girl by sharing your favorite Charlotte recs when you see her!

Marina left the corporate world to follow her passion and opened her first studio in 2012 in Brooklyn after receiving her Balanced Body certification. Now she splits her time between homes in Charlotte and NYC (Manhattan and Brooklyn). She loves to travel around the world and has two incredible children, Sam (14) and Rachel (4). You'll find her on the schedule Fridays- Mondays at the studio. Her claim to fame? "Make your a$$ an asset, not a liability."

Katherine found her way to Pilates by wanting to find more ways to “play” as an adult and bring joy back to fitness after years of feeling like movement was a chore. From a young age, Katherine found a deep fascination with health and wellness as it tied into her 13 years of classical ballet training as well as her experience as a competitive USTA tennis player through high school. On the other end of the athlete spectrum, Katherine has also devoted much of her life to studying classical voice performance and is now a professional opera singer. Since attending the College of Charleston for Voice & Theater Performance, Katherine has performed across the US, UK, and Italy, and is currently a Resident Company member with Charlotte’s very own Opera Carolina. The muscular intricacies involved with classical singing have highlighted the importance of strong but flexible pelvic floor muscles, breath work, and full body connection, making Pilates the perfect partner! Katherine is currently working toward her Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Instructor certification and is so grateful for the opportunity to teach with and learn from the fantastic team of strong women at BK Pilates.

Cooper is new to the studio and is always excited to greet you with a puppy kiss!

Kacie found Pilates after a re-injured back left her unable to continue in the high-impact exercises she was used to. After falling in love with the benefits of the method, she decided to make a career change to pursue her passion for Pilates and share those same benefits with others. Through her classes, you can expect an athletic full-body flow, and likely, a growing fondness for planks! Full disclosure: expect her to lose count every time a dog walks by (we know you don't really mind the extra reps)! You can find her on the schedule at our South Park location!

Lexi has been practicing Pilates for over fifteen years. After being injured in a car accident, she turned to Pilates to build strength and increase stability, mobility, and flexibility when traditional physical therapy did not work. Combining her passion for helping others and her love of Pilates, she completed the comprehensive Balanced Body Pilates Certification. Never one to slow down, she then went on to complete her RYT 200-hour yoga teacher training certification, Reiki practitioner certification, and Pilates Method Alliance Certification (PMA) and has plans to continue her education.

Her classes and private sessions offer challenging workouts in a safe and supportive environment. They are designed to ensure you succeed at reaching your health and fitness goals regardless of your age or current fitness level, always leaving you feeling restored, energized, and accomplished.

Abby has been practicing Pilates since 2016. As an early elementary school teacher (who also happened to be obsessed with Pilates), Abby realized her love of teaching went beyond her work with children—and felt passionate about furthering her Pilates practice to instructor training.

Abby loves to teach classical Pilates with a modern twist. She has completed Balanced Body Reformer + Mat Training and is always learning and exploring new ways to move the body. Abby recently had a baby and experienced the incredible benefits of Pilates firsthand, both through childbirth and her postpartum recovery. She cannot wait to move with you!

Lexi has been practicing Pilates for over fifteen years. After being injured in a car accident, she turned to Pilates to build strength and increase stability, mobility, and flexibility when traditional physical therapy did not work. Combining her passion for helping others and her love of Pilates, she completed the comprehensive Balanced Body Pilates Certification. Never one to slow down, she then went on to complete her RYT 200-hour yoga teacher training certification, Reiki practitioner certification, and Pilates Method Alliance Certification (PMA) and has plans to continue her education.

Her classes and private sessions offer challenging workouts in a safe and supportive environment. They are designed to ensure you succeed at reaching your health and fitness goals regardless of your age or current fitness level, always leaving you feeling restored, energized, and accomplished.

Abby has been practicing Pilates since 2016. As an early elementary school teacher (who also happened to be obsessed with Pilates), Abby realized her love of teaching went beyond her work with children—and felt passionate about furthering her Pilates practice to instructor training.

Abby loves to teach classical Pilates with a modern twist. She has completed Balanced Body Reformer + Mat Training and is always learning and exploring new ways to move the body. Abby recently had a baby and experienced the incredible benefits of Pilates firsthand, both through childbirth and her postpartum recovery. She cannot wait to move with you!

Catherine’s journey with Pilates began during her recovery from a back injury. Through consistent practice, she experienced firsthand how Pilates can restore strength and confidence in both the body and the mind. When she moved to Charlotte in 2024, one of her first priorities was finding a studio where she could continue to grow in her practice. After her first class at BK, she knew she had found a community that resonated with her values. Catherine is now pursuing her Comprehensive Certification through Balanced Body and is excited to share the empowering benefits of Pilates with others. She brings empathy, attention to detail, and a deep appreciation for the body’s capacity to heal and adapt to every class she teaches.

I discovered my passion for Pilates through a former college classmate. I was instantly hooked, attending classes two to three times a day. During this time, I formed a special bond with my home studio manager, connecting over our shared experience of losing a parent. Recognizing the strength and healing Pilates brought to my life, my manager encouraged me to pursue teacher training.

Throughout my training and teaching, I developed a deep understanding of the mind–body connection. Pilates became powerful in helping me reconnect with my body while navigating grief and complex emotions. This experience has allowed me to connect with clients on a meaningful level, creating relationships that feel like a second family. Outside the studio, I love traveling, spending time with my family, learning and trying new things, and immersing myself in nature. I believe nature’s song is beautiful if you take the time to ground yourself and listen.

Paige is a dedicated Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience, certified by Polestar Pilates and Balanced Body. She has had the privilege of teaching in major cities like Chicago and Atlanta, as well as internationally in the Middle East. Paige’s approach to Pilates is rooted in encouraging and challenging her clients to discover their strength and achieve progress, all while emphasizing the importance of mobility and breath.

With a B.S. in Health and Human Development and Nutrition, Paige integrates mindfulness and education into each session. Her passion lies in helping others learn, grow, and feel incredible in their bodies, all while maintaining a safe and creative environment.

Sherryl has taught many forms of fitness from spin and cardio dance to personal training. After being injured in a bad car accident, she searched for a way to keep moving safely but knew she needed to train with precision and control to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate her body. Once she discovered Pilates, she was hooked! She was amazed at how quickly she was able to bounce back by increasing her core strength and stability. Pilates even helped her train to complete her first marathon!

Pilates has become her passion. She opened the doors to her own studio in New Jersey after completing her training with Stott. Sherryl has worked with many clients post-rehab as she worked alongside physical therapists in her first studio, and continued to communicate with the physical therapists and physicians to give her clients the safest and most effective workouts. Sherryl also did her NASM corrective exercise specialist training. She is here to support you with your goals and encourage you through your workouts! Everybody can benefit from Pilates, so let's get you feeling good in your body again!

Ella started doing mat Pilates eight years ago as a way to cross train her body and reduce injuries in her ballet classes. After taking a college class that dug deeper into the kinesiology and anatomy portion of Pilates, she knew she wanted to continue learning more about this form of exercise. Ella fell in love with the intricacy and mindfulness; how it helps improve body awareness; and of course, how fun the classes are! She has seen a difference in her ballet technique, her self esteem/confidence, and her daily happiness. Pilates unlocked a new appreciation for movement that has made even the smallest daily activities (like breathing!) something to be grateful for. Ella is overjoyed to share her love of Pilates with everyone at BK Pilates and is excited to see you in the studio! 

Originally from Winston-Salem NC, where her love for movement, dance and gymnastics began before she can remember. That passion grew into years of competitive dance, carried her through performing on my college dance team, and continues as she dances professionally as a Honeybee for the Charlotte Hornets. 

A  recent graduate from Appalachian State University, where she also completed my comprehensive Pilates training. While she appreciates many forms of fitness, Pilates has been the missing piece that brought everything together. It has shown her the benefits of building longevity and functionality into fitness beyond aesthetics. It has equipped her body to move better, prevent injury, and thrive in everyday life. 

Since working with a diverse pool of individuals, she is certain that there is something special to be found in each and every client!

Faith, a 28-year-old new-ish Charlotte transplant who works as a software engineer from 9-5 and a multi-passionate human from 5-9. While she would generally describe herself as a “beautiful potato” in her youth, she's been exploring all kinds of movement from aerial silks to pole dance since 2018. She discovered Pilates a few months before her wedding in 2019, fell in love with it, and got in the best shape of her life! She decided to pursue teaching after encouragement from her peers in the movement community and the absolute passion she feels for introducing others to it. Needless to say, she made the right choice and she's so pumped to move and shake together. By the way, her favorite body part to work is gluten by far so get ready to bake some cake with her! 

Paige is a dedicated Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience, certified by Polestar Pilates and Balanced Body. She has had the privilege of teaching in major cities like Chicago and Atlanta, as well as internationally in the Middle East. Paige’s approach to Pilates is rooted in encouraging and challenging her clients to discover their strength and achieve progress, all while emphasizing the importance of mobility and breath.

With a B.S. in Health and Human Development and Nutrition, Paige integrates mindfulness and education into each session. Her passion lies in helping others learn, grow, and feel incredible in their bodies, all while maintaining a safe and creative environment.

Joey Hehn began performing at a very young age. A Central Oregon native, she was immersed in the production and performance elements of drama and musical theater in her developmental years. Joey began training in dance at the age of 14. As she progressed, she developed a love for teaching. Joey is classically trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance. She was a member of the professional tap company Central Oregon Rhythm Project for their 2015 season. She graduated from Belhaven University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Global Studies.

After ankle surgery, Joey was introduced to Mat and Reformer Pilates as physical therapy in her recovery. She soon became passionate about Pilates and was able to complete her Mat Balanced Body Instructor Training through her university. She became a fully certified Mat instructor in 2022. Joey moved to North Carolina to volunteer with a global anti-human trafficking nonprofit, which she now works for full-time. She began pursuing her Reformer certification in 2023. Joey is so excited to join the BK family and share her passion for holistic health through whole-body movement. If you see her at the studio, please say hello!

Find her at South End on Mondays at 6:30 am and 7:30 am and some weekends starting July 24th. PS: If you liked Olivia Stuart's classes, she may just be your next best thing :)

Sherryl has taught many forms of fitness from spin and cardio dance to personal training. After being injured in a bad car accident, she searched for a way to keep moving safely but knew she needed to train with precision and control to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate her body. Once she discovered Pilates, she was hooked! She was amazed at how quickly she was able to bounce back by increasing her core strength and stability. Pilates even helped her train to complete her first marathon!

Pilates has become her passion. She opened the doors to her own studio in New Jersey after completing her training with Stott. Sherryl has worked with many clients post-rehab as she worked alongside physical therapists in her first studio, and continued to communicate with the physical therapists and physicians to give her clients the safest and most effective workouts. Sherryl also did her NASM corrective exercise specialist training. She is here to support you with your goals and encourage you through your workouts! Everybody can benefit from Pilates, so let's get you feeling good in your body again!

Movement has been a lifelong passion of mine, shaped by years of gymnastics, cross country, soccer, and dance. I am comprehensively certified in both classical and contemporary Pilates, which allows me to integrate a wide range of techniques into my teaching. My goal is to help clients build strength, improve alignment, and enhance overall well-being through the practice of Pilates. When I am not in the studio, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our son, and our golden doodle, Kobe.

Katherine found her way to Pilates by wanting to find more ways to “play” as an adult and bring joy back to fitness after years of feeling like movement was a chore. From a young age, Katherine found a deep fascination with health and wellness as it tied into her 13 years of classical ballet training as well as her experience as a competitive USTA tennis player through high school. On the other end of the athlete spectrum, Katherine has also devoted much of her life to studying classical voice performance and is now a professional opera singer. Since attending the College of Charleston for Voice & Theater Performance, Katherine has performed across the US, UK, and Italy, and is currently a Resident Company member with Charlotte’s very own Opera Carolina. The muscular intricacies involved with classical singing have highlighted the importance of strong but flexible pelvic floor muscles, breath work, and full body connection, making Pilates the perfect partner! Katherine is currently working toward her Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Instructor certification and is so grateful for the opportunity to teach with and learn from the fantastic team of strong women at BK Pilates.

Joey Hehn began performing at a very young age. A Central Oregon native, she was immersed in the production and performance elements of drama and musical theater in her developmental years. Joey began training in dance at the age of 14. As she progressed, she developed a love for teaching. Joey is classically trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance. She was a member of the professional tap company Central Oregon Rhythm Project for their 2015 season. She graduated from Belhaven University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Global Studies.

After ankle surgery, Joey was introduced to Mat and Reformer Pilates as physical therapy in her recovery. She soon became passionate about Pilates and was able to complete her Mat Balanced Body Instructor Training through her university. She became a fully certified Mat instructor in 2022. Joey moved to North Carolina to volunteer with a global anti-human trafficking nonprofit, which she now works for full-time. She began pursuing her Reformer certification in 2023. Joey is so excited to join the BK family and share her passion for holistic health through whole-body movement. If you see her at the studio, please say hello!

Find her at South End on Mondays at 6:30 am and 7:30 am and some weekends starting July 24th. PS: If you liked Olivia Stuart's classes, she may just be your next best thing :)

Sherryl has taught many forms of fitness from spin and cardio dance to personal training. After being injured in a bad car accident, she searched for a way to keep moving safely but knew she needed to train with precision and control to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate her body. Once she discovered Pilates, she was hooked! She was amazed at how quickly she was able to bounce back by increasing her core strength and stability. Pilates even helped her train to complete her first marathon!

Pilates has become her passion. She opened the doors to her own studio in New Jersey after completing her training with Stott. Sherryl has worked with many clients post-rehab as she worked alongside physical therapists in her first studio, and continued to communicate with the physical therapists and physicians to give her clients the safest and most effective workouts. Sherryl also did her NASM corrective exercise specialist training. She is here to support you with your goals and encourage you through your workouts! Everybody can benefit from Pilates, so let's get you feeling good in your body again!

Lauren is a Charlotte native and former competitive gymnast who rediscovered her love for movement through Pilates. During college, she coached youth gymnastics, and after earning her degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she returned to Charlotte to build a career in finance. Years spent behind a desk inspired her to seek more mindful movement and a deeper connection to her body. Pilates helped her find balance and joy in exercise again, motivating her to pursue teacher training with Balanced Body so she could share that same experience with others. Outside the studio, you can find Lauren enjoying a cup of coffee or spending time by the water—riding bikes or sailing with her husband and rescue pup.

MacKenzie was born and raised in New Jersey, where she spent much of her time horseback riding and reading. She attended High Point University in North Carolina, earning her master's degree in Communication and Business Leadership. After graduating, MacKenzie moved to Charlotte to begin her career in Human Resources and Training and Development. Eager to try something new and unable to find horses in the city, she signed up for a Pilates class at BK and quickly fell in love. In August 2025, MacKenzie realized she could combine her passion for Pilates with her background in training and development, inspiring her to begin her comprehensive Pilates instructor certification through Balanced Body. Outside of the studio, you can find MacKenzie reading, spending time with her three cats, and hanging out with friends.

Paige is a dedicated Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience, certified by Polestar Pilates and Balanced Body. She has had the privilege of teaching in major cities like Chicago and Atlanta, as well as internationally in the Middle East. Paige’s approach to Pilates is rooted in encouraging and challenging her clients to discover their strength and achieve progress, all while emphasizing the importance of mobility and breath.

With a B.S. in Health and Human Development and Nutrition, Paige integrates mindfulness and education into each session. Her passion lies in helping others learn, grow, and feel incredible in their bodies, all while maintaining a safe and creative environment.

Since the age of 5, all Micayla knew was dance until a knee injury forced her to quit after her freshman year of college. After quitting dance, she transferred colleges and graduated from the University of South Carolina to then pursue a career in marketing. She never found something she was as passionate about as dance until she discovered Pilates. She took her first class at BK Pilates in January 2021 and instantly fell in love. Inspired by her newfound passion, she pursued teacher training to share her love for Pilates with others. You can now find Micayla either practicing as a student or teaching at the studio.

Paige is a dedicated Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience, certified by Polestar Pilates and Balanced Body. She has had the privilege of teaching in major cities like Chicago and Atlanta, as well as internationally in the Middle East. Paige’s approach to Pilates is rooted in encouraging and challenging her clients to discover their strength and achieve progress, all while emphasizing the importance of mobility and breath.

With a B.S. in Health and Human Development and Nutrition, Paige integrates mindfulness and education into each session. Her passion lies in helping others learn, grow, and feel incredible in their bodies, all while maintaining a safe and creative environment.

Sherryl has taught many forms of fitness from spin and cardio dance to personal training. After being injured in a bad car accident, she searched for a way to keep moving safely but knew she needed to train with precision and control to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate her body. Once she discovered Pilates, she was hooked! She was amazed at how quickly she was able to bounce back by increasing her core strength and stability. Pilates even helped her train to complete her first marathon!

Pilates has become her passion. She opened the doors to her own studio in New Jersey after completing her training with Stott. Sherryl has worked with many clients post-rehab as she worked alongside physical therapists in her first studio, and continued to communicate with the physical therapists and physicians to give her clients the safest and most effective workouts. Sherryl also did her NASM corrective exercise specialist training. She is here to support you with your goals and encourage you through your workouts! Everybody can benefit from Pilates, so let's get you feeling good in your body again!

Born and raised in Ecuador, she was always involved in health and fitness as her mother was a holistic practitioner. She practiced various disciplines, including ballet, dance, gymnastics, and yoga. She found Pole Fitness at the age of 13 and started competing professionally. She progressed her practice and is now a certified instructor. At the age of 15, she moved to the US and started weightlifting as a way to keep her body active. Her passion for health and fitness grew, so she became a certified personal trainer through ACE and a Health and Holistic Health Coach through IIN, in order to learn more about the human body and how to nurture it. She then discovered reformer pilates in 2024 and decided to give it a try as a form to enhance her weightlifting and pole fitness practice. She immediately fell in love with the discipline as it taught her how to move with intention and aim for longevity. As she continued her practice, she did some research and decided her next step would be to become a Pilates instructor. She is currently pursuing her comprehensive certification through Balanced Body. She is a firm believer that movement is life and would love to bring more life to people of all ages. Outside of Pilates, she enjoys traveling, discovering nature, and creating new connections.

Paige is a dedicated Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience, certified by Polestar Pilates and Balanced Body. She has had the privilege of teaching in major cities like Chicago and Atlanta, as well as internationally in the Middle East. Paige’s approach to Pilates is rooted in encouraging and challenging her clients to discover their strength and achieve progress, all while emphasizing the importance of mobility and breath.

With a B.S. in Health and Human Development and Nutrition, Paige integrates mindfulness and education into each session. Her passion lies in helping others learn, grow, and feel incredible in their bodies, all while maintaining a safe and creative environment.

Sherryl has taught many forms of fitness from spin and cardio dance to personal training. After being injured in a bad car accident, she searched for a way to keep moving safely but knew she needed to train with precision and control to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate her body. Once she discovered Pilates, she was hooked! She was amazed at how quickly she was able to bounce back by increasing her core strength and stability. Pilates even helped her train to complete her first marathon!

Pilates has become her passion. She opened the doors to her own studio in New Jersey after completing her training with Stott. Sherryl has worked with many clients post-rehab as she worked alongside physical therapists in her first studio, and continued to communicate with the physical therapists and physicians to give her clients the safest and most effective workouts. Sherryl also did her NASM corrective exercise specialist training. She is here to support you with your goals and encourage you through your workouts! Everybody can benefit from Pilates, so let's get you feeling good in your body again!

Sherryl has taught many forms of fitness from spin and cardio dance to personal training. After being injured in a bad car accident, she searched for a way to keep moving safely but knew she needed to train with precision and control to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate her body. Once she discovered Pilates, she was hooked! She was amazed at how quickly she was able to bounce back by increasing her core strength and stability. Pilates even helped her train to complete her first marathon!

Liz Wood is a wife, mother of 3, fitness professional, and childbirth educator and doula. Liz’s love for fitness started early as a track runner and quickly moved on to studio classes. She has been teaching for over 15 years and loves every fitness modality so much that she’s obtained more than 11 different certifications. She found Pilates years ago and fell in love, understanding immediately that Pilates equals longevity. Liz’s style is humor mixed with an ass-kicking and she can’t wait to see you on the reformer!

I discovered Pilates during my pregnancy and instantly connected with its ability to strengthen both the body and mind. What began as a way to stay grounded through change quickly became a true passion. After completing my Comprehensive Instructor Training through Club Pilates, I became dedicated to helping others move with confidence, balance, and intention. Outside the studio, I’m a creative wellness entrepreneur, wife, and mom who loves traveling, design, and creating moments that inspire joy and harmony.