Meet the Team

​The instruction at Pilates Place stands apart from other exercise modalities in terms of the personal attention you will receive. Pilates requires precise movement patterns, therefore it is essential the exercises be taught and preformed under direct supervision.  All of our instructors have completed comprehensive certification programs that included up to 600 hours of study.    

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JULIE TAFURI
Owner, Instructor
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Owner Julie Tafuri runs a highly professional pilates studio staffed by qualified, intuitive instructors.   Catering to the individual needs of their clients, Julie along with all of the instructors at Pilates Place, provide customized teaching programs for all skill levels.  Julie’s 15 years of teaching experience is reflected in her patient and knowledgeable teaching style.  She monitors clients as they progress from their introductory session, through their solo sessions and into their semi private groups.   Julie found pilates after trying many other forms of exercise.  She suffered from chronic back pain and tight overdeveloped muscles.  She loved the results she experienced with pilates and was quickly hooked.  She obtained her certification through the Harmony Group in Englewood.   She is proud to be part of a studio with such amazing instructors and clients!  

LEEANN SQUIRE
​Instructor
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 Leeann was given a gift certificate for 10 sessions at Pilates Place for a milestone birthday present and to this day, many years later, she considers it the best and most important gift she was ever given.
She fell in love with all that Pilates is and how it completely changed her physique and even her career path.  As a Pilates Place client, Leeann was taking classes 4 days a week.  She then became a certified instructor and has been teaching for the past 9 years. Leeann brings a contagious enthusiasm to all of her classes.  Her clients appreciate and enjoy her unique style.Her love of teaching is reflected in her classes and clients leave feeling better than they did coming in. 

NIKKI GRANATELL
​Instructor
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Nikki Granetell has an extensive dance background as both a performer and a teacher.  Pilates was suggested as a way for her to strengthen her body, and heal the injuries caused by her years of dance.  She experienced wonderful results, and after 8 years as a pilates client Nikki decided to become certified.  Her dance background and years of pilates, combined with her teaching experience, make Nikki a solid and knowledgeable pilates instructor.  Clients thoroughly enjoy her classes!

CARA SCHROTER
Instructor
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An athlete all her life, Cara first decided to try Pilates to give her body some TLC and time away from heavy training after her final season of college soccer at Kean University where she graduated with a BFA in Interior Design. Shortly after starting her Pilates journey, she fell in love with the process, transformation, and technique and was certified as in instructor in 2008. She enjoyed teaching so much she decided to expand her fitness knowledge and has certifications in AFAA Group Fitness, ACE and ISSA Personal Training, and ISSA Nutrition Coaching. Cara decided to join the Pilates Place family because she believes in a true Pilates Studio where instructors can focus on everyone individually and believes the smaller studios provide a safe, result-driven environment. 

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LISA BOWMAN
​Instructor
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Lisa is a certified Balanced Body and IMX Pilates Instructor. She has practiced Pilates and Yoga for over 20 years along with other various types of exercise for upwards of 40 years. She also holds a Personal Training Certification with W.I.T.S., a Barre Certification and is a licensed SilverSneaker Instructor for both Classic and Yoga. She has also completed The Pink Ribbon Program which gives her an opportunity to work with clients who are Breast Cancer survivors and need to strengthen muscles specific to their individual needs. Lisa has a great passion for Pilates and continues to educate herself regularly in order to perfect her teaching skills and to bring new and safe workouts to her clients. Exercise and fitness have always been a huge part of her life. She is very active and finds great pleasure in working with her clients and encouraging them to also live healthy, active lives.

REBECCA VEALE
​Instructor
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Rebecca is a Polestar Pilates and a NCPT (Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher). Rebecca graduated in 2016 from Mason Gross School of the Arts Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and minor in Psychology. Rebecca was introduced to Pilates through her dance instructor and has grown to love it. She completed her Pilates training through Polestar Pilates teacher training program affiliated through Rutgers University under the direction of Kim Gibilsico in 2015 and was certified through Pilates Method Alliance early 2016. As a dancer and athlete Rebecca knows how important it is to maintain a healthy body and even use Pilates for recovery after injuries.

TRICIA PEZZULO
Instructor
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Tricia started her professional career in sales but moved on from the corporate world to pursue her passion for Pilates. Tricia took her first Pilates class in 2001 and fell in love with it instantly! She loved that it was challenging while also making her feel fantastic afterwards. She is certified in Matt Pilates and all apparatus through Dual Star Pilates, IMX=Pilates and Pilates Place. Tricia is pursuing Pilates certification for cancer patients and those recovering. She continues to learn about the body and loves helping people feel their best through movement.