Group Exercise & Aquatics Instructors | Dexter Wellness Center

Group Exercise and Aquatics Instructors

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Brett Pedersen

Brett is an Assistant Principal by day and fitness enthusiast by night. He holds a B.S. in PE and M.S. in Health Education from Eastern Michigan University. He is also pursuing a post-graduate certificate in Educational Leadership from EMU. With ten years of professional fitness experience, including serving as the former VP of Health Education for the Michigan Association for Health, PE, Recreation, and Dance, Brett holds certification as a Group Fitness Instructor and a Natural Trainer. Brett’s passion is functional fitness focusing on body weight exercises and designs his workouts to accommodate a wide spectrum of abilities and fitness levels. Brett strives to ensure participants are safe and comfortable while getting a highly effective workout.

Carla Fields

Carla is a cycling instructor at the Wellness Centers. She received her Mad Dogg-- Spinning certification six years ago. Carla has been cycling for 20 years, both indoors and out. She Enjoy swimming, hiking, and dancing. For every class, Carla aims to provide a fun, but challenging workout for all levels of fitness.

Cindy Wauer

Cindy’s background is in exercise physiology, with a master’s degree from Michigan State (“Go green!”). During the daytime she is a full-time teacher (bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, love that green!) at Honey Greek Community School teaching math to all of the middle school students. She lives in Dexter with her husband and son. She hopes to see you at the Wellness Center!

Dale Katchorek

Dale is an avid bicyclist turned certified Spinning instructor. He is educated in heart rate training, mindset, breathing, and training zones per the Spinning program. Dale earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He worked professionally in theater, sales, and marketing and currently consults a Michigan web design company. He often rides outdoors and welcomes additional riders. For information, email Dale at [email protected]

Emily Burr

Emily is a stay at home mom of 3 children! She is certified for group exercise and spinning. She's been teaching over 12 years and enjoys getting to the gym for a break of everyday life. She graduated with a bachelor in Business Management and Human Resources from Purdue University.

Jean Delwiche

Jean has a passion for movement and the water. She loves working with people to reach their personal goals. Waterskiing, kayaking, trail running and swimming are just a few of her favorite activities outside of the gym. Jean has a BS from Ball State University and is certified by NETA, AEA, Peyow Aqua Pilates, and TRX. She enjoys instructing a variety of classes. Jean brings her love of the water into her Aqua classes, her passion for building endurance into her Cardio Strength classes and gracefully teaches Barre and Core Conditioning classes. Jean enjoys motivating people to move and reach their fitness goals.

Jeanette Wheeler Brooks

Jeanette teaches gentle yoga, guided meditation, and mindfulness classes. She’s certified through the National Exercise Trainers Association and the Center for Koru Mindfulness. An active member of the Dexter Wellness Coalition, she also directs “Mindful Dexter,” a community meditation initiative supported by 5HealthyTowns.org. Jeanette is a founding member of the Dexter Wellness Center’s service team, where she loves connecting folks in the community with the tools and support they need to make their wellness journey fun and successful. In addition to her Wellness Center work, Jeanette designs and develops e-learning courseware, with a particular interest in nutrition, wellness, and healthcare education. She’s also a marathoner and long-distance backpacker who has completed more than 700 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Julie Moon

Julie began instructing Zumba after being inspired by classes at the Dexter Wellness Center! With a B.F.A. in Music Theatre Performance from WMU and an M.A. in Drama/Theatre for the Young from EMU, she considered advancing her experience as a Theatre Arts teacher, director and choreographer further into the realm of physical fitness and hasn’t looked back since! She became ZIN licensed in April 2014 and began subbing and teaching classes in Manchester, Chelsea, and Dexter. She continued with Pound certification in March 2018 and teaching Pound classes in Dexter Summer 2018. She feels blessed to have found a family of wellness friends and can’t wait to discover where the fitness road will lead her next!

Karen Fazioli

Karen Fazioli is a certified Primary Aerobics, Indoor Cycling, Aqua, and Meditation and Stress Reduction instructor through The American Aerobics Association and International Sports Medicine Association. She is a Secondary English teacher who holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Syracuse University. (Let’s Go, Orange!) Karen has a passion for helping others to be their best self in and out of the classroom.

Katherine Kuzma

Katherine is a ZIN certified Zumba instructor who first fell in love with Zumba in December of 2008 while attending her mother-in-law’s class in Muncie, Indiana. She became certified in 2011 and loves teaching and attending Zumba classes. Katherine also has a passion for other group fitness exercise classes and gained group fitness certification through AFAA in 2017 to increase her knowledge in the field. Katherine teaches math at Stockbridge High School where she also coached varsity women’s soccer and basketball for many years before having a baby in 2017. Katherine is a graduate of Dexter High School (2003), Albion College (math major/physical education minor, 2007) and Spring Arbor University (Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, 2014). She enjoys spending time with her husband and son, playing and watching sports, attending other DWC fitness classes, mentoring high school students, participating in church activities, singing, and is a big Michigan fan (Go Blue!).

Laura Mandernack

Laura is very excited to be teaching Zumba as a member of the Dexter Wellness Center team! She has been a licensed Zumba instructor since December 2010. She recently became certified in Zumba Core fitness. When Laura is not teaching Zumba Fitness, she enjoys acting with the Pinckney Players and most recently with Mixed Company Troupe. Karaoke is also at the top of her list of fun things to do. Exercise is Laura’s top priority, however, and she is thrilled at the opportunity to share her love for Zumba Fitness!

Laura Tyson

Laura began working at the wellness centers after moving to the Chelsea area from Ohio. She is a certified ACSM personal trainer and has been teaching a variety of group exercise classes for 23 years. Currently, she is a certified Silver Sneakers as well as a Barre Above instructor. She has also taught Pilates for over 14 years.

Lauren Hunt

Lauren began practicing yoga in the mid 1990’s and she claims that yoga, “literally saved my life.” Now a mother to two teenagers, yoga still plays in important role in dealing with life’s challenges. Vinyasa trained, Lauren brings her experience of exploring many styles and traditions, including 5 years of Iyengar yoga to her teaching. She also holds certifications as a Wellness Coach and Laughter Yoga Leader. Lauren likes to keep her classes simple and accessible to all levels, especially beginners. She believes moving the body and connecting with the breath intentionally is enough to create change. Her goal is to hold a space for others that is inviting, comforting, soothing, and soulful. Find out more: www.laurenmhunt.com

Mara Cook-Greatorex

Mara teaches HIIT, Group Cycling, Kids Bootcamp and Fit Kids classes at the Dexter Wellness Center. She has been involved in sports and fitness since she was in elementary school. After college she continued to keep active by hiking, running and doing triathlons. In 2008 she was introduced to CrossFit. She loved the variety and high intensity of CrossFit and soon funneled that passion into pursuing fitness as a profession. Although working out to get in shape and lose weight have been motivating factors for her, she is also motivated by goals. She keeps active when she is not at the gym running 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and the occasional marathon. It also gives her great joy inspiring her children to keep active. Her daughter and son are both involved in sports and often run 5ks with her! She believes the earlier children become interested in sports and exercise, the healthier they will be for the rest of their lives. Mara loves being a part of the DWC community!

Megan Fink

Originally from Chicago, Megan Fink met her husband, a Dexter native, while studying at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. They moved to Michigan in 2003. After the death of her parents, Megan turned to the restorative effects of yoga for healing. Megan completed the A2 Yoga teacher training in December of 2012. She is proud to share the blessings and gifts that yoga can provide to all; and especially to those who are grieving loss. She currently lives in Dexter with her husband Josh and their children, Karl, Betty Lou, and Angus. She says, "I am so honored and excited to teach yoga at this beautiful wellness center. Every day is a gift and an opportunity to support and be of service to others.”

Rhonda Carrier

Rhonda is E-RYT 200 and RCYT Certified by Yoga Alliance. She is an Alumna of Sun/Moon School of Yoga in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Rhonda is also Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher Certified, Yoga Healthy Breast Educator Certified, and Healthways Silver Sneakers Yoga Teacher Certified both levels I and II. She also instructs a toddler program for Hillsdale Schools Great Start Program, a Life Time Learning class at Jackson Community College, the Hillsdale College Chargers Football Team and a SOAR “Success Over Addiction and Relapse” yoga class. Rhonda holds an associate’s degree in Applied Science from Washtenaw Community College and served fourteen years in the US Army of both Active and Reserve status. She loves teaching all types of yoga from Hatha to Vinyasa.

Rick Walter

Rick has worked in the fitness industry part time for over 23 years teaching a variety of activities. He currently is certified as a AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, AFAA Kickbox Instructor and a AEA certified Aquatic Fitness Professional. As an avid believer in the benefits of cross training he started participating in Group Fitness classes over 15 years ago and since then has regularly participated in Hi/Low Aerobics, Step Aerobics, Kickbox, Body Shaping, Bootcamp and Yoga classes. At an early age he started training as a competitive swimmer and as a result has enjoyed the benefits of exercise and healthy living all his life. He enjoys intense workouts and participating in 5/10k runs, Triathlons, Urbanathlons and weight training.