Our People

Ella Jotie, Co-Founder

Ella Jotie

With over 15 years of professional experience in the entertainment, health and fitness industry, Ella has combined her expertise as principal dancer, choreographer and fitness instructor to spearhead the development of Barre Fitness.

Ella spent many years performing for audiences worldwide and has had the opportunity of working with many of the entertainment industries best including: ABC, Disney, MTV, Nickelodeon, NBC, the NBA and alongside choreographers of such artists as Madonna and Janet Jackson.

A long-time fitness enthusiast, Ella carries certifications in Personal Training, Group Fitness, Pilates,  as well as Fitness Through Cycling. She is also a certified Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist. Ella takes pride in developing programs specific to her client’s needs, and is continually promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle, while still having FUN!

A native of Vancouver, BC, Ella combined her passion, creativity and love for both dance and fitness to lead a specialized group of individuals through an extensive training regimen of barre-based exercises, the result of which is the Barre™ Fitness technique.

Michele Murgel, Co-Founder

Michele Murgel

A natural leader and entrepreneur, Michele is a former high tech executive who, in 2005, left her position as senior vice president for a large San Francisco-based software company to pursue her love of fitness. Her business background includes executive human resources roles in such leading companies as Zappos.com, Macromedia, and Alias/Wavefront. Her skills include strategic planning, employee development, as well as her instrumental development of new processes pertaining to employee satisfaction.

Over the past 20 years, Michele has balanced her demanding career with her love of health and fitness and practiced aerobics, yoga, pilates, running, boot camps and personal training.  She first discovered barre-based exercise programs in San Francisco, California – not only was this one of the most challenging forms of exercise she had ever done, it was also the best overall body workout she had ever encountered.

Michele is thrilled in her role as partner with Barre Fitness™ and with the opportunity of helping others get in the best shape of their lives!

Sheana Lehigh – Registered Physiotherapist

Sheana Lehigh graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2003 with her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. Currently, Sheana is an full-time associate at Tsawwassen Sports & Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Clinic (www.myphysio.ca). Sheana has also studied physiotherapy in New Zealand and has worked as a physiotherapist in the United Kingdom.

Sheana has a special clinical interest in orthopaedic, manual and sports physiotherapy. She has recently achieved her fellowship of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy and she is a certified Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) practitioner. Sheana has been a competitive ballet and modern dancer since she was five years old and she also enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, swimming, and learning how to play the guitar. Sheana is also a clinical placement instructor for the physiotherapy students of UBC.

You can read Sheana’s article on Common Ballet Dance Injuries at http://www.myphysio.ca/Common-Ballet-Dance-Injuries.

Alycia Wong – Studio Manager, Yaletown

Alycia began at Barre Fitness as one of the very first Barre Tenders (CSR), and now takes on the role as Yaletown Studio Manager! Since childhood, Alycia has been involved with competitive dance as well as a variety of athletic sports. Balancing academia with an active lifestyle, particularly dance, was an amazing outlet for the stress of everyday life. She has danced with the professional training company Modus Operandi and recently completed her BCom studies at the Sauder School of Business (UBC). Alycia is thrilled to be spending more time at her favorite Barre and spreading happiness through health…one plié at a time!

Sarah Ballard – Instructor

Sarah Ballard is passionate about movement and the body. She is a professional dancer and fitness leader: teaching smart, safe and fun classes since 2006. As a BCRPA certified Pilates Mat, Group Fitness and Weight Training instructor she teaches the importance of taking care of your body- a tool that is irreplaceable. She loves working with the public and helping them achieve their goals whatever they may be. Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.

Scovia Maeko – Instructor

Scovia’s passion for all forms of physical activity is contagious. She has been involved in health and wellness all her life…be it in a team environment or out on her own preparing for a marathon. She is a BCRPA Certified Group Fitness, Pilates Fitness and Weight-Room Attendant instructor. She believes a balanced lifestyle can be achieved…let her excitement for life and fitness intoxicate you to achieve your fitness goals. Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.

Kristen Pickell – Instructor

Kristen Pickell’s love of movement began at a young age when she started dancing. Practicing pilates through out her dance training and career has helped her body stay strong but flexible. After achieving her Cecchetti Advance exam she moved to London and received a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance. In her final year at London Studio Centre she toured and performed with Intoto Contemporary Dance Company. Kristen is a certified Pilates instructor (BCRPA) and continues her studies with Pilates with props. Kristen is also a certified Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist and in Prenatal Pilates. She heads the Barre Fitness prenatal program – Bellies At the Barre! Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.

Paula Giroday – Instructor

Paula began dancing at the age of three and since 2005 she has enjoyed teaching various forms of dance to both children and adults. Paula has performed with the Source Dance Company; Move The Company; Candy Girl Caberet as well as in several music videos for The New Pornographers, Econoline Crush and Michael Bublé. Paula strongly believes in the Barre Fitness workout and has noticed increased strength and flexibility in her own body after doing it for just a short period of time! Paula is registered with the BCRPA and looks forward to sharing this invigorating class with everyone. Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.

Katie Warfield – Instructor

Katie believes that wellness is maintained through a combination of physical fitness, mental and spiritual wellness. She is certified in Pre and Postnatal Fitness and BCRPA Group Fitness. She encourages mental flexibility by teaching courses in media and cultural studies at Kwantlen University in Richmond. Katie feeds her spiritual wellness with early morning pajama dancing with her son, sidewalk chalk drawing in public spaces, and baby wrestling sessions at the park. Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.

Kaitlin Chapple – Instructor

Kaitlin is a professional dancer and BCRPA certified Group Fitness instructor. She is extremely passionate about dance and fitness and is excited to instruct in an environment that unites two of her interests. Kaitlin’s teaching experience allows her to recognize that all individuals have unique fitness goals, and she is always looking to challenge her clients appropriately. Her energetic approach will be sure to motivate you throughout her classes! Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.

Nevada Yates Robart – Instructor

Nevada is a professional actor and has been dancing since she was a child. She is a registered BCRPA fitness instructor and expresses her love of movement by teaching aerobics, dance, and working as a musical theatre choreographer. An eternal fascination with movement led her to study various forms including: pilates, Laban movement analysis, Authentic movement, Feldenkrais, and the Alexander technique. Nevada believes that the Barre Fitness technique is a truly transformational workout and is delighted to be teaching at Barre Fitness where her clients inspire her every day! Certified Barre Fitness™ Trainer.