The Team
Leadership Team
Jennifer Morley is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Drexel University Dance program and the Creator/Director of both the Drexel Pilates Studio and the 450-hour Drexel Pilates training program. Her foundational background in somatic practices also include hot yoga certification and Pilates certifications from Romana Kryzanowska (Romana’s Pilates) and Karen Carlson (Pineland Pilates). Jennifer has an BA in dance from Hofstra University, an MFA in dance from Temple University, and a diploma in dance from Laban Center London.
Jessica began teaching Pilates private sessions, group classes, and mentoring Pilates apprentices in 2015 after completing the 450-hour certification program. You might have joined her for classes around Philadelphia at Ploome Pilates, Sculpt 360, and Thrive Pilates. Jessica is additionally certified through the NPCP (National Pilates Certification Program) Jessica’s passion for fitness and teaching began as a dancer. She graduated from the University of the Arts in 2005 with a BFA in Dance. Jessica uses her experience with Pilates and dance to help clients build strength and endurance with a focus on alignment and functional movement. Jessica hopes to push bodies to new limits while addressing the client’s individual needs.
Theresa is a Philadelphia native, Pilates Instructor, and dance artist. She was first drawn to Pilates seeking a reliable cross training practice for dance and fell in love with the opportunity to offer movement to others. She completed the Drexel Pilates Training Program 2016 and has since taught in multiple movement spaces in the Philadelphia area. Her genuine love for movement and mind-body connection has only enhanced her experiences with Pilates and dance, both as a teacher and practitioner. She strives to cultivate a movement environment that is supportive and inclusive and enjoys teaching all levels of practitioners.
Instructors
Kalila Kingsford Smith was introduced to Pilates in 2014 in order to address lower back pain and increase core strength as a means of supporting her local dance career as an independent choreographer. She completed the Drexel Pilates Training Program under the direction of Jennifer Morley in 2018. She works to create an encouraging learning environment where clients feel seen and supported. She offers anatomically informed feedback to help clients access an integrated and supported core. She builds classes around clients’ specific health and fitness goals, so they feel great in their bodies after every session. Kalila utilizes her dance background by moving clients with rhythm and flow. Kalila received her MA in Dance from Temple University, her BFA in Dance and her BA in Anthropology from the University of Michigan.
Ali Lodise completed the 450-hour Drexel Pilates Teacher Training Program in July 2019. Ali serves as both a Pilates Instructor and the Publicity coordinator for the Drexel Pilates Studio and is the Apprentice Liaison for the Drexel Pilates Training Program. Ali's Pilates sessions center around thematic progression inviting clients to reach their growing edge while also holding space for personal values. As a current student of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Temple University, she brings a biomechanic and functional approach to her Pilates instruction. Ali continues to enhance Drexel Pilates’ public image by maintaining and advancing their social media presence and community wide monthly newsletters. She strives to be a supportive member of the community and to develop and facilitate meaningful connections. She graduated from Drexel University in 2020 with a major in Health Sciences with minors in Dance and Somatics.
Jalen is a graduate of Drexel University, receiving her certification from Drexel Pilates in 2016. She strongly believes in the power of Pilates to change the mind and the body: conquering challenges not only inside of the studio but also in everyday life. Jalen currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland where she serves as the Lead Instructor at Club Pilates Owings Mills. Jalen's goal is for each person to leave the studio feeling empowered and renewed. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy of movement change lives!
Karen Sams is a graduate of Drexel University, receiving her certification from the Drexel Pilates Program in 2021. She enjoys a collective aspect of mind, body and soul and its connection to fitness, wellbeing and how we move and feel in our body though movement. Her motivation is to help people feel so present, empowered, and resilient in their physical bodies that they can embrace life with that same strength, flexibility, and authenticity.
Jennie first started practicing Pilates at Clasique Acupuncture and Pilates Studio in the mountains of Western North Carolina. After her first lesson she was hooked and knew that she wanted to bring this grounding and empowering practice to others. After years of taking private lessons, group lessons, and attending weekend seminars she relocated to Philadelphia. One of her first moves when she arrived was to enroll in the Drexel Pilates training program. At Drexel Pilates Jennie was able to dive deeper into the work. The program’s emphasis on knowledge of anatomy, the importance of breath, and other supportive instructional methods helped her to develop her skills as a thoughtful and positive teacher. Upon graduating in the summer of 2021 she began teaching in Philadelphia. She loves teaching and finds great joy in seeing her clients gain strength and confidence through movement.
Brooke Tripp received her BS from the University of Delaware; majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Dance, as well as Strength and Conditioning. She completed the 450-hour Drexel Pilates Teacher Training Program in June 2022 and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Drexel University. In addition to her schooling, Brooke’s movement background consists of 16 years of experience in figure skating including 7 years of coaching of all ages and levels. Brooke loves to help clients feel more present in their bodies through sessions structured around anatomical awareness and functional progressions. She believes the best Pilates for you is the Pilates that feels best in your body. Brooke prioritizes supporting clients throughout their movements to access work that is meaningful to them.
Megan Gilmartin
Instructor
Megan has been teaching the classical form of Pilates since she completed her training with Power Pilates in 2002. Since then, she has taught in Boston, where she received a B.S. in Journalism from Northeastern University, and New Jersey. She returned home to Philadelphia in 2003 and has been teaching locally ever since. Megan is an enthusiastic and devoted Pilates practitioner and instructor, and she would not hesitate to tell you that Pilates has saved her life on more than one occasion. Megan's forte is her ability to connect with her clients to create a workout that is individualized to their specific needs and goals. Her clients have learned what professional dancers discovered years ago: Pilates makes you feel stronger, leaner and taller. Whether you're and athlete looking to boost your performance, an office worker looking to ease back pain and improve your posture, or just generally looking to gain flexibility and core strength, Pilates is for you! Megan truly believes that Pilates will not only transform your body, it will also transform your life.
Brigid O'Neill
Instructor
Brigid O’Neill found joy in the rigor, playfulness, and rehabilitation of Pilates in her freshman year at Drexel University. In July 2022, she completed the 450-hour training program at Drexel Pilates directed by Jennifer Morley, who trained with Romana Kryzanowska. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Dance with a minor in Somatic Practices at Drexel University. Her goal is to improve the alignment of the spine, increase strength and flexibility, improve mobility, find breath and joy through movement, and implement the client’s personal goals into sessions. She believes in hard work and having a lot of fun when doing so! Brigid strives to create a supportive and encouraging environment for the practitioner to thrive and improve. Come move with her to feel refreshed and centered in your body and mind!
Hannah Kryman
Instructor
Hannah found her love for Pilates through her passion for dance and the moving body. She received her certification through Drexel Pilates in June of 2023 under the instruction of Jennifer Morley. Currently, she is pursuing a B.S in Health Science through Drexel University along with a minor in Somatic Practices, hoping to move on to a Doctor of Physical Therapy program post-graduation in 2025. These studies extenuate her knowledge of anatomy and the overall health of the mind and body. Hannah seeks to make connections with clients and help them achieve all goals both physical and mental. Her classes involve rigor and relaxation, good tunes, and lots of fun!