Meet The Team
NADIA WALKER
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF BARRE OFFICER & OWNER, BARRE FORTE UNIVERSITY HILLS
Nadia, a Colorado native, began dancing as a toddler and spent her formative years enjoying ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip hop classes. Later, Nadia applied her dance training and athleticism to competitive cheer-leading and gymnastics. In her early twenties, she performed in a local burlesque troop and fell in love with the art. Nadia also spent 10 years as a make-up artist and hair stylist, working with television personalities and print models. Ever the entrepreneur, Nadia is excited to be a part of Barre Forte, where she combines her love for fitness, dance and business. When Nadia is not at Barre Forte, she enjoys traveling and musical theater (really!), and spending time with her daughter, who is a state champion gymnast and competitive diver.
BRENA KAUTZ
DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT, MASTER BARRE INSTRUCTOR
Brena, a Colorado native, began dancing at the age of five, practicing tap, ballet, and jazz, at the Centre of Dance for 13 years, and was a member of Broomfield High School’s Pom Squad, which won both state and national recognitions. In college, Brena focused her studies on the history and movements of modern dance and ballet, receiving her Bachelors degree in dance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and later spent many years dancing professionally on the Las Vegas strip. Aside from her dance background, Brena is a nationally certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Master Barre Instructor. She holds certifications in TRX as well as Les Mills BODYSTEP, BODYJAM and barre fitness.
Andrea de la Garza
OWNER, LOHI, DENVER, CO
Andrea, a Colorado native, began her love of movement as a ballerina at age 3. Her coach quickly recognized her explosiveness and sent her to gymnastics. She currently perform’s at the historical D&F Clocktower cabaret a few times a year and has been a performer since 2002. Andrea spent 20 + years as a hairdresser and makeup artist in Denver. While also being a mom to a little boy with Down Syndrome. As his mother and caretaker, Down Syndrome became a passion for Andrea. She presently does volunteer work and special events with the Down Syndrome community that holds a space dear in her heart. In addition to fitness, she has spent the last 13 years expanding her knowledge of meditation, reiki and self development. Andrea is a certified personal trainer and has obtained certifications in: Orthopedic exercise, barre, rebound, group fitness, yoga sculpt, indoor cycling, hiit, TRX, Kinesis, matt pilates, nutrition and reiki. She has been in the fitness industry since 2009 starting as a cycling instructor then quickly becoming the group fitness manager at a Denver gym, for four years. In her fun time she enjoys hiking 14er’s, skateboarding, running, burlesque & costuming, reading, and spending time with her husband, son & family. Andrea has been teaching barre since 2013 and is thrilled to own a Barre Forte studio!
JENN GILLIAM
OWNER, WASH PARK, DENVER, CO
Jenn has always had a passion for dance and fitness and loves the fusion of the two that barre provides. She trained in various genres of dance growing up including: ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop and tap and holds a BFA in Dance from Wright State University where she began her professional dance career while still in college. For the next 17 years she was lucky enough to dance on various stages throughout the world including theme parks, cruise ships, dance companies, and musical theater productions. Jenn is a Master Barre Instructor and Group Fitness Certified. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to train other women to be fantastic barre instructors in the Barre Forte format, who will inspire others to work hard and meet their best!
SHILO ALVIS
OWNER, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
As a Colorado Springs native, Shilo has a special connection to this community. Her passion for health and wellness was ignited by Pilates, so six years ago she left her professional career to teach Pilates full time. Personal and community growth intersected with an opportunity to bring Barre Forte’s vibe to Tejon Street! She loves how barre and Pilates complement each other as balancing, low impact, and strengthening workouts improving all aspects of life. Shilo was inspired by Barre Forte, the community of women, friendly encouragement, and supporting individual journeys brought together by a common thread, health and wellness. She cherishes the opportunity to be the one entrusted to push people to new limits, find their inner strength, and see their bodies get stronger. Shilo holds a Bachelors in Business; she is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Instructor, and Barre Forte certified instructor.
HEIDI PULLMAN
OWNER, RAPID CITY, SD
Heidi Pullman was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. She has always had a passion for fitness since her cheerleading days in high school. Heidi fell in love with barre during a trip to Wichita, Kansas, where she lived for twelve years. She saw that many of her friends were working out at the Barre Forte in Wichita that had recently opened – and they were all experiencing incredible results and loving the classes. Heidi attended a few classes with some friends and was hooked! Once back home, she knew she had to bring the benefits of barre to everyone in Rapid City. That dream became a reality in January 2019, when she opened the first Barre Forte in South Dakota! An entrepreneur at heart, Heidi was a successful realtor for many years and also owned a clothing boutique with her sister, Laura. When she’s not working. Heidi loves hiking, camping, skiing and boating in the beautiful Black Hills with her friends and family.
JANELL Reichenbach
CO-OWNER, KAYSVILLE, UTAH
Janell is the Co-owner of Barre Forte Kaysville. She is originally from Ohio and settled in Utah in 2019 after briefly living in Texas. Janell grew up dancing and later found sports, which led to multiple injuries that required a fitness alternative that had less impact on her body. She found barre in 2017 and was hooked. Janell was drawn to the sense of community and the killer workout that targeted and strengthened all muscle groups, and began teaching barre in 2018. She had a dream of owning her own studio and vowed to make it happen. When she’s not wearing her co-owner hat, working the front desk, or teaching at the studio, she’s working as a dental hygienist. In her spare time, she loves working out, spending time with her boyfriend and sweet pup, Scarlet, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.
Cyndi Toronto
CO-OWNER, KAYSVILLE, UTAH
Cyndi is the Co-owner of Barre Forte Kaysville. She is originally from New Jersey and moved to Utah in 2017 after spending a few years living and working in Virginia. Cyndi grew up dancing and started teaching dance in college. She found group fitness in 2012 and fell in love with the energy created by people who were working hard and challenging themselves together. Given her dance background, she loves that barre feels like home. She enjoys using barre as a cross training tool and is drawn to the community it brings together. She always wanted to have her own fitness space and finally made it happen after meeting Janell. They are quite the power friend couple! When she’s not doing co-owner things, working a front desk shift, or teaching, she’s working as a division director for a non-profit organization. When she has free time, she loves a good workout, brunch, a Netflix binge, and hanging with her husband and doggo.
Paige Michaelis
OWNER, St. Petersburg, FL
Paige is the owner of Barre Forte St. Petersburg. She is excited to bring Barre Forte to Florida! Paige has created a space to empower women physically, and to create a collaborative, fun, welcoming place with a community – where everyone is a friend and knows your name.