Instructors

Barb Chase
Barb grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She began her athletic career training, competing, coaching, then judging gymnastics. She is a certified EMT, Medical Office Assistant, NA, & Chiropractic Assistant, but her heart has always been in fitness. When she discover Pilates, she knew this was the path of study for her. She trained and certified with the Physicalmind™ Institute, and Stott Pilates®. Barb has trained accomplished gymnasts as well as elite hockey players helping them to reduce the incidence of injury, gain flexibility, and increase core strength. Barb opened SCS Pilates Connection, Inc. (formerly Core Connection) in September 2003 to offer programs designed to strengthen and balance the body from the inside out.

Nora Smith
Nora is highly motivated and comes to us holding two certifications with AFAA (Aerobics & Fitness Association of America). She offers 15+ years experience teaching high/low impact aerobics, boot camp, step, kickboxing, circuit, slide, and mat work. Nora is an experienced Personal Fitness Trainer, as well as an accomplished Group Exercise Instructor. Nora is also TRX certified.

Melissa Kern
Melissa is a certified Stott Pilates, Synergy Barre, and Total Barre Instructor. Melissa practiced Stott Pilates in Chicago and SCS Pilates Connection for several years prior to moving to Michigan in 2011.Her passion for Pilates has inspired her to share her positive experience and love for Pilates with others. Melissa has two young boys and specializes in helping clients get their bodies back to pre-baby shape. Melissa is a welcomed addition to our SCS Pilates family.

Francesca Chase
Francesca developed a passion for health and fitness in high school. In college she went on to study human anatomy and physiology, exercise science, nutrition and psychology receiving her Bachelors of Science from Wayne State University. While working as a Chiropractic Assistant at Chase Chiropractic Center Francesca began to notice the importance of a strong core and spinal muscles for pain management, structural support and longeviety. She began taking Pilates matwork classes at Pilates Connection in March of 2014 and instantly became hooked! It helped to manage her chronic pain and provide the relief she was looking for! After practicing Pilates for a year or so she decided to go through training and become an instructor. Now, as a mom, Francesca finds the studio to be her happy place, her home away from home and credits Pilates with her easy pregnancy and delivery! She’s a true believer!

Dee Smith
She’s a mother of two — her 21 year old son is in the US Navy — you may have seen him holding the flag for the Color Guard during Super Bowl LVI! And her 16 year old daughter is a high school student! Exercise and nutrition have always been a huge part of her life! She even worked in Health Education and Group Fitness at Ford Motor Company for over 15 years! Dee has her Health & Wellness Certification through NAFC and she’s also a licensed massage therapist! She’s the whole package wrapped up in one!

Carolyn Bradt
Carolyn has over 20 years of teaching experience instructing a wide variety of fitness classes at many Metro Detroit gyms! Her training experience ranges from Pilates, yoga, Barre Above, Balletone, indoor cycling, rebounder, weight lifting, step aerobics and personal training. Carolyn’s personal training career began at Bally’s over 15 years ago where she spent time working with clients one on one or in group fitness settings, including teaching Pilates through the facility. She has a strong background in ballet, starting dancing at age four and competing at a national level by age 14. Carolyn’s passion is Pilates, fitness and helping others reach their personal goals! In the last several months Caroyln has gone through the STOTT Pilates reformer training at Equilibrium! We’re so excited to bring her on to our team!

Lucy Ragnow
Lucy became a pilates instructor to share her love of mindful movement with clients of all types. Growing up a gymnast she was always passionate about fitness, but after dabbling in all kinds of different workouts, she really was drawn to mindful exercise that required both physical and mental strength in order to perform them well. Pilates was the perfect balance of low-impact strength training, along with flexibility and mind-body connection. After training with a STOTT instructor during gym lockdowns in 2020- she decided to pursue her own certification in Mat/Reformer. She has also completed a 13.5 hour Pre & Postnatal Intensive Workshop in order to work with moms in each stage of pregnancy/postpartum.