About Carol
Carol LeMaitre has been teaching Pilates since you were in 3rd grade. She trained at Ellie Herman Studios, and has a strong background in the Janda Method of Neuromuscular Reprogramming. Naturally, she has studied with some of the greatest trainers in the business, including Jennifer Stacy, Kathy Grant, Cara Reeser, Eric Franklin and Michelle Larson.

Scratch a Pilates trainer and you'll find a dancer with a back injury. Carol is no exception. The method was so successful at healing her body, she was inspired to become a teacher. Carol also used Pilates to prepare for and recover from the birth of her two sons.

Her third baby, Sanchez Street Studios, is now in its eighth year. Personable, incisive and challenging both as a teacher and one-on-one trainer, Carol is proud that her offspring continues to expand its class offerings and attract so many talented and dedicated trainers.

She is also delighted to add to the Pilates population explosion by offering an exceptional teachers training program for anyone who wishes to become a certified Pilates instructor.

Andrea Bonfante
Andrea took a circuitous path to Pilates. As the manager of an antiques store, she loved her weekly Pilates class. Before long, she found herself taking several classes a week. Inspired by the positive changes she experienced in her body, Andrea realized she would love to help others in the same way.

Her passion for Pilates soon became her full-time job and she enrolled in the Sanchez Street Teacher Training Program. Under the guidance of Carol LeMaitre and Sharon Gallagher, Andrea emerged from the program with a thorough understanding of the Pilates Method and an intense desire to share her knowledge with others.

She’s convinced that everyone can benefit from Pilates and continues to be impressed by the improvements she sees in her clients’ strength, alignment and flexibility. Her enthusiasm for and dedication to Pilates is evident in every class and private session she teaches.



Sharon Gallagher
Sharon is the co-creator and co-teacher of the Sanchez
Street Studios' Teacher Training Program, developed in 2005. Sharon was first introduced to the Pilates Method in 1996, while undergoing physical therapy for a knee injury. After recovering, teaching dance, and dancing for a few years, she suffered an ankle and foot injury which prevented her from dancing again. Pilates seemed like a natural path to recovery and inspired her to teach others the valuable information she was learning. She became certified with Ellie Herman while concurrently studying the neuro muscular re-education work of Vladimir's Janda with Jayne Edwards and Lizz Roman.

To further her understanding of the method, Sharon attended a teaching intensive at the Pilates Center of Boulder in 2000 and also studied with Cara Reeser. There she experienced her first glimpse into the
art and subtlety of cueing movement and also the deeper essence of the Pilates Method. Sharon continued her inspiration for this style of teaching by studying with Jennifer Stacey at Peak Performance where she worked until 2005.

Sharon has been the Head Trainer in charge of Teacher Certification at Ellie Herman Studios, and is now the Head of Continuing Education for certified teachers. She is respected within the Pilates community as a teacher's teacher and has trained many instructors. Sharon is very excited to have developed the Sanchez Street Studios' Educational Program with Carol which blends their working knowledge of the "classic" Pilates exercises informed by their focus on the art of cueing. Sharon is also currently a professional dancer and has been performing with Printz Dance Project since 2001.



Alisa Michelle
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Alisa Michelle began her Pilates training in the professional program at The School of Toronto Dance Theater. While still in Canada, she had the pleasure of studying with Sagrario Castilla, Rucsandra Mitrea, Diane Miller and Irene Dowd. After moving to the Bay Area in 2001, she studied with Ellie Herman and later completed her certification program.

Alisa is pleased to have been teaching at Sanchez Street Studios since 2002. She continues to love the studio and the community it inspires. Alisa is also the director and active company member of Company Mecanique Dance Theater.




Matt White
Matt came to Pilates from the circus. A circus performer and teacher for the past 10 years, Matt was drawn to Pilates to learn how to refine his strengths and reshape his weaknesses into a deeper, flowing and nuanced body.

Two years ago, while taking a break from being on the road, Matt began work at Red Hawk Physical Therapy as an aide. As he learned the basics of anatomy and trained patients in fundamental movement, the fires of curiosity were ignited and he was soon hungry for more…which lead him to Carol LeMaitre and Sharon Gallagher’s Pilates Teacher Training program.

Completing the program in 2008, Matt firmly believes that Pilates can open the door of possibility for all people. He likes to teach with humor, a strong work ethic, a passion for understanding, and the tiniest splash of showmanship.

Matt is currently part of Sweet Can Productions, a local circus company.

Eva Wilder
Eva was introduced to Pilates while recovering from a dance injury. She later turned to the method to supplement her dance training, and eventually completed a certification program with the founders of Pilates Sports Center in 2006.

Drawing from her eclectic background in dance, yoga, and Pilates, Eva creates a challenging, full-body workout that encourages clients to explore movement, breath, and alignment.

Her classes focus on taking students of all abilities to new strength levels while focusing on breath, proper alignment and body mechanics. Eva has experience working rehab in physical therapy clinics, as well as fitness-focused training in gyms. She is currently preparing for physical therapy school. Eva brings her passion for movement, anatomy and alignment into her teaching and is intent upon helping clients feel good in their bodies.

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