Meet our instructor trainers.
Leslie Braverman
Owner, Pacific NW Pilates | Master Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES®
Leslie was a professional dancer for 15 years, performing with Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Portland’s BODYVOX. Her early passion for dance led her to the North Carolina School of the Arts, where she received the 1988 Peabody Scholarship Award for Excellence. She was a Level One ARTS recipient, sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, in 1989 and was a semifinalist—and one of five sponsored Americans—to compete in the 1988 Prix de Lausanne International Dance Competition in Switzerland.
Leslie was introduced to Pilates while studying at the School of American Ballet in New York. Years later, an injury led her to STOTT PILATES®, a contemporary approach to the original Pilates method. She credits STOTT PILATES® with restoring her movement and helping to prolong her performing career.
Leslie became a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor in 1997 and an Instructor Trainer in 2000. In 2012, she was designated a Lead Instructor Trainer in recognition of her commitment, experience, and leadership in instructor education. In 2026, she advanced to Master Instructor Trainer, reflecting her continued leadership and contributions to the STOTT PILATES® education community.
Leslie’s teaching is informed by a lifelong passion for dance and movement. Her performing career and extensive teaching experience allow her to blend the art and athleticism of movement with the science of exercise.
Leslie has presented STOTT PILATES® courses and workshops in the U.S., Canada, Spain, Japan, and Turkey. At home in Portland, she works with dancers, athletes, fitness clients, and aspiring instructors. Leslie co-founded Pacific NW Pilates with Melanie Byford-Young in 2001 and continues to lead the studio’s education, management, and marketing initiatives.
Melanie Byford-Young, BHSc. PT.,
Owner, Pacific NW Pilates | Master Instructor Trainer of Rehabilitation, STOTT PILATES® | Member, Global Leadership Council
Melanie Byford-Young is a leader in the global community of Pilates, physical therapy, and fitness training. She has pioneered the use of STOTT PILATES® to support physical rehabilitation and therapeutic conditioning for more than twenty years. In 2007, she was instrumental in the redevelopment of the STOTT PILATES® Rehabilitation Program, including the development of new instructor curriculum, training materials, and DVDs in which she appears.
Melanie’s expertise and contributions to instructor education have also led to her appointment to the Merrithew™ Global Leadership Council, where she joins an international group of leaders helping to support the continued growth and development of the STOTT PILATES® community.
Melanie graduated from McMaster University in Ontario with a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy in 1991 and formerly practiced as a licensed physical therapist. She also earned the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Certificate in Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy and completed specialized orthopedic coursework focused on the shoulder, cervical spine, foot mechanics, and running mechanics.
In 2001, Melanie began teaching STOTT PILATES® courses and workshops. She has committed her career to teaching therapeutic applications of Pilates and helping instructors better understand how to work with clients managing injuries and rehabilitation needs. While she is not currently practicing or licensed as a physical therapist, she draws on her extensive clinical background to help healthcare professionals integrate Pilates into their practices and to educate Pilates instructors working with injured clients.
Melanie’s groundbreaking approach has put her in high demand among medical professionals, Pilates instructors, and other fitness professionals. She has taught STOTT PILATES® courses and workshops throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe and has made guest appearances at conferences including IDEA World Fitness.
Katherine Brown
Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Master Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA™
Katherine has extensive experience teaching group classes and private clients across a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. She pursued her Pilates education at Pacific NW Pilates, the Central YMCA Pilates Academy in London, England, and STOTT PILATES® headquarters in Toronto, Canada.
Katherine is a STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA™ Master Instructor Trainer and holds certifications in Total Barre™ and ZEN•GA™ Mat and Equipment, as well as a Specialist certification in Pilates for Athletic Conditioning. Her role as a Master Instructor Trainer reflects her experience, leadership, and commitment to developing the next generation of movement professionals.
Katherine believes Pilates is more than exercise—it is a way to improve how our bodies function in lasting and meaningful ways. She emphasizes sound biomechanics, movement quality, and heightened body awareness to help clients and students develop healthier, more efficient patterns of movement.
Holly Shaw
Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES® and Total Barre™
Holly Shaw completed her full certification with STOTT PILATES® in 2014 and went on to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew™ specializing in STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels and Total Barre®. She teaches private sessions and group classes at Pacific NW Pilates. Holly has danced professionally with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BodyVox, Éowyn Emerald and Dancers, and skinner|kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE. Holly currently performs with push/FOLD in Portland, OR, and also is the company's Managing Director. Holly has performed internationally in Japan, South Korea, Germany, and India and consistently uses Pilates as a form of cross-training for her dance career. Along with her pre-physical therapy studies, in 2010 Holly graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in Ballet with an emphasis in performance and teaching. Holly specializes in training athletes and dancers, and also enjoys guiding older adults and special needs clients to using effective and efficient movement in all areas of life.
Debra Hunt
Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Master Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA™
Debra began her journey with STOTT PILATES® after experiencing 18 years of chronic pain following injuries sustained in a car accident. She became fascinated with the method after experiencing firsthand how profoundly it changed the way her body moved and felt. Following her rehabilitation, Debra attained Full Certification in 2005 and became an Instructor Trainer in 2006. Her STOTT PILATES® training is complemented by a background in dance and gymnastics.
In 2016, Debra was designated a Merrithew® Lead Instructor Trainer, recognizing her experience and leadership in instructor education. She has since advanced to Master Instructor Trainer for STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA™.
Debra works with people across the spectrum of health, wellness, recovery, and performance, including high-level athletes. She has worked with the touring cast of Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna, as well as professional athletes. Beginning in 2014, she traveled regularly to Korea to provide STOTT PILATES® professional training to instructors and students.
Debra is passionate about exploring innovative mind-body modalities, integral anatomy, and all things movement-related. Her curiosity and expertise are reflected in her work with ZEN•GA™, Merrithew® Fascial Movement, and other mindful movement modalities. She has been immersed in the study of fascia since 2009 and frequently brings a fascial perspective to her work with clients experiencing complex movement challenges.
Laura Foutz
Instructor, Pacific NW Pilates | Lead Instructor Trainer, STOTT PILATES®
Laura began her Pilates career in 2005 while dancing as a professional ballerina. In 2008, Laura became a fully certified Instructor Trainer for Merrithew®, specializing in STOTT PILATES®.
She began teaching courses and private clients at Inspire Health, the STOTT PILATES Licensed Training Center in Atlanta, GA, becoming a Lead Instructor Trainer and certified in Injuries and Special Populations. In 2011, she moved to the outskirts of Nashville and opened her own studio.
Now back in the Pacific Northwest and teaching private sessions, courses, and workshops for PNWP; Laura continues to be passionate about educating and mentoring students and loves being a part of their respective journeys.
STAY CONNECTED!
Get thoughtful tips, short video insights, updates, and occasional special offers—choose studio updates, education content, or both.