Meet our Instructors
Our instructors carry a comprehensive, over 500 hour Pilates certification with thousands of teaching hours & continued education.
Simone Malave
Simone began her love of Pilates after stumbling into a mat Pilates class nearly 18 years ago in Huntington Beach, CA. She had been struggling to find an exercise program that she enjoyed and wasn’t inspired by the traditional gym workout. After that first mat class, Simone practiced Pilates off and on for years before landing at a small boutique reformer studio in Nashville, TN. Pilates was the only exercise form that made her feel energized and excited for movement. Not only was she hooked on how Pilates made her feel, but she was also seeing positive changes in her body with building strength and mobility.
Simone completed her 500 hour comprehensive Pilates certification in early 2022 and turned her passion into a long term dream of being able to share the amazing practice of Pilates with others. She jumped right into teaching at various studios around town before launching her home studio, Gold Lion Pilates. GLP was a thriving home studio for 2.5 years before expanding into a Brick & Mortar space in September 2024.
"My goal as a Pilates instructor is to make my clients feel better when they leave than when they came in, push them to do things they didn’t think were possible, and help their confidence in themselves override the self doubt. I am so passionate about working with people who want to improve their health & conquer their fitness goals (big or small). When I have a client tell me “without Pilates I wouldn’t have been able to walk without taking breaks on vacation” or “I was able to play tennis without pain in my knees for the first time in years”, that is why I love to do this work! The body is amazing, it’s never too late to get moving and feeling better!”
Brooke Morphis
As a dedicated Pilates instructor with over six years of experience, I discovered the transformative power of Pilates following a life-changing injury where I fractured my neck in seven places. Guided by a physical therapist’s recommendation, I embraced Pilates not only as a means of recovery but also as a path to building strength, resilience, and overall well-being. My personal journey through injury and healing has given me a deep appreciation for the body’s capabilities and the importance of mindful movement.
I am passionate about athleticism and believe in the synergistic benefits of combining Pilates with strength training to achieve optimal fitness and health. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking to enhance your athletic performance, or simply seeking a balanced approach to fitness, I’m here to help!
Elise Hughes
Elise is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Her love for movement started at a young age, at her Family owned Gymnastics and Dance School. Years later, while pursuing dance professionally, She was introduced to pilates as a way to help cross train and heal her body from injury and imbalances.
She quickly noticed the benefits of Pilates, feeling more connected, stronger and able to trust her body to support her more than ever before. She knew from that point on that Pilates would always be a part of her life.
Elise is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT), Graduate of Pilates from the Center School of Natural Movement in Vancouver Canada, Level 1 Franklin Method Educator and Graduate of The Kathy Grant Heritage Training led by Cara Reeser.
Her goal as Pilates instructor is to facilitate a fun and safe environment for people to create directed change in their bodies. A place to be curious, to learn, and to explore their own individuality in movement.
Elise is excited to be a part of the community at Gold Lion Pilates, and to have the opportunity to share her love of movement with others!
Corie Kellman
Corie Kellman is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor through a 500 hour program on Reformer, Tower/Spring Board, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and Mat.
Her group classes are a contemporary style, moderately paced, and empower each client to have autonomy over their movement by cuing a foundation that each client can individually build on through optional challenges throughout class. You can expect a mix of Classical exercises and creative programming for a full-body workout that moves the spine in every direction and helps clients gain mobility, strength, and flexibility, focused on overall wellness.
Corie believes in meeting her clients where they are while challenging them through positive reinforcement and coaching to meet their goals and exceed their own expectations. Private sessions with Corie are focused and help clients really learn more about their individual Pilates practice, and empower them to take these lessons back into the world.
Constanza Barnier
Originally from Chile and now calling Nashville, TN home, Constanza brings a deep appreciation for mindful movement to her Pilates teaching. She discovered Pilates in 2020 while seeking a form of exercise that supported both physical strength and mental clarity. Instantly captivated by its transformative power, Constanza found that Pilates not only improved her posture and core strength, but also helped her reconnect with her body.
In 2023, inspired by the profound impact Pilates had on her own well-being, she completed her comprehensive teacher training to help others experience the same sense of empowerment, alignment, and balance. With a background rooted in intentional living and a love for holistic wellness, Constanza is passionate about making movement accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone.
Her teaching style is grounded in precision and control, with an emphasis on cultivating a strong mind-body connection. Clients can expect thoughtful sequencing, a calm and encouraging presence, and a class experience that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Constanza's goal is to help you move smarter, feel stronger, and walk out of the studio more connected to yourself.
Dawn Casella
Dawn has always embraced movement and wellness as a way of life. Her journey began with gymnastics as a child, followed by a love for fitness videos and gym workouts in her teens. In 2002, she stepped into teaching, leading Pilates mat classes, group fitness, and teen wellness programs.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2007, Dawn launched her professional career in Rhode Island, specializing in classical Pilates reformer and personal training. Over time, she blended her deep-rooted knowledge with a modern approach, now teaching a more contemporary style of Pilates that reflects both tradition and innovation.
Dawn holds a comprehensive certification from Power Pilates and is a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She also brings a unique perspective to wellness with a Bachelor’s in Culinary Nutrition, combining movement and mindful nourishment to support her clients’ full-body health.
Rachel Miller
Rachel, a Nashville native, first discovered her love for Pilates through her undergraduate dance program at MTSU. Mat and reformer classes not only enhanced her dance performance but also deepened her fascination with how the body moves and functions.
After graduation, while teaching ballroom dance to adults, Rachel noticed that many of her students struggled with strength, balance, and flexibility—common challenges for those with sedentary lifestyles. Remembering the benefits Pilates brought to her own dancing, she began incorporating it into her students’ training. The results were remarkable: one of her top students even regained an inch in height and went on to win top male competitor in his division—all through consistent Pilates practice.
Rachel is a comprehensively certified classical Pilates instructor through Native Pilates in Donelson, TN, where she trained under Amanda Howard. Her background as both a dancer and teacher allows her to guide clients of all backgrounds with creativity, intention, and precision. She brings a vibrant energy to every session, helping each person discover movement that feels strong, easeful, and deeply connected.