OUR INSTRUCTORS
Practice With The Best Instructors In
The Vail Valley
We are athletes and Pilates practitioners ourselves, focused on movement and health. We tailor our Pilates sessions and classes toward our clients’ goals and needs. Pilates instruction is not meant as a substitute for medical attention. Please obtain clearance from your medical professional following a major medical concern.
Meet Our Team

JENNIFER LUCAS
OWNER + INSTRUCTOR
Her clients are women and men of all ages, athletes, post-rehab individuals, and Pilates apprentices and teachers. Jennifer loves helping clients achieve their personal goals whether it involves aches and pain management, strength, improved ski season readiness, flexibility, weight goals or overall better health.
Jennifer’s ability to see misalignments in the body and her continuing education specializing in anatomy & pathology, pre-and post-natal Pilates; and functional movement, allows her to address specific needs of her clients. Meticulous on form, Jennifer keeps her sessions fun and energetic. You can expect her to push and inspire you to make real changes in your own body. She lives in Gypsum, CO with her husband, Patrick, and dog, Odin.

DEB PLATH
INSTRUCTOR
From aerobics to spin to becoming a Certified Personal Trainer, Deb teaches because she calls it a “gift you can give someone else”. She admits that it takes motivation, but that is one thing she does not lack. After years of teaching a variety of fitness disciplines, Deb gravitated towards Pilates because she recognized the importance of ‘core strength’ in any fitness regimen. She also likes the need for mental strength, precision and focus that Pilates demands. Deb’s Pilates certification was earned in 2003 from Barbara Huttner, who is not only well-known in the Vail Valley Pilates and GYROTONIC® circles, but also a driving force in the establishment of Synergy. In fact, Deb credits Barbara for being the reason that she came to Synergy as a teacher. She adds that she continues to teach at Synergy because of the “energy in the studio” saying, “I feel motivated when I’m there!”
Her favorite class to teach? Group Pilates Equipment! Best said in her own words: “It’s invigorating for me to see my clients get it.” She loves seeing her clients transform their bodies and attitudes about being fit. She calls it a “motivating story” to guide students who “think they are in shape” to really being in shape.

WHITNEY BELLER
INSTRUCTOR
She cares about the experience of individual and group Pilates, focusing on how each corrective movement aids and assists client’s specific needs and goals. Whitney loves spending time with friends and family, and living here in the Vail Valley is a lifelong dream of hers. She is inspired by individuals’ overall athletic abilities and the knowledge they bring into every session.
Whitney’s Why: “Through Classical Pilates, I aim to lead and support those wanting to discover and further develop overall fitness, while feeling safe and motivated. Teaching Pilates is my passion! I am constantly inspired by clients’ willingness to share, trust and connect, because growth on every level is a gift.”

KIM STRAUCH
INSTRUCTOR
Kim has been an avid practitioner of Pilates for over fifteen years and holds a Comprehensive Certification in Pilates from BASI (Body Arts and Sciences International), encompassing repertoire for students of all levels on the reformer, cadillac, chair, barrels, and mat. Kim brings an enthusiastic, supportive, and connected approach to each of her classes. She enjoys working with clients of all ages seeking general conditioning, athletic training, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Outside the pilates studio, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, Eric, and their three teenage boys. Together they take full advantage of Vail Valley’s offerings; from biking and SUP-ing in the summer, to skiing in the winter, and hiking with their Bernese Mountain dog, Mazie, year-round. She is a graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Emily Dornan
INSTRUCTOR
Emily Dornan has been teaching mindful movement for over 20 years, bringing depth, precision, and warmth to every class she leads. With a foundation in ballet—as both a dancer and instructor—she offers a refined understanding of alignment, control, flow, and grace that naturally translates into her Pilates instruction.
Emily is comprehensively certified through BASI Pilates and has been leading private and group Pilates sessions for over a decade. Her teaching reflects a deep respect for the Pilates method, blending technical accuracy with an intuitive, client-centered approach. She is known for her clear, thoughtful cueing and her ability to help students build strength, stability, and body awareness in a way that feels both empowering and sustainable.
In addition to her BASI Comprehensive Pilates certification, Emily holds a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification through CorePower Yoga (2005) and is certified in Definitive Barre Fitness, Indoor Cycling, Body Training Systems, and Personal Training. Her diverse training allows her to meet students where they are, thoughtfully layering challenge and support to help each individual progress with confidence.
Emily views movement as a full-body, full-life practice—one that enhances not only physical strength and alignment but also resilience and presence beyond the studio. Her classes are intentional, motivating, and welcoming, creating an environment where clients feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.

DR. KATIE ZEPPETELLI, PT, DPT, OCS
INSTRUCTOR

TRISH WEBER
INSTRUCTOR
Trish made the Vail Valley her home in 2020. An East Coast girl, Trish is an avid athlete, lacrosse coach and all around outdoor enthusiast as well as a non-profit arts marketing professional. A 2022 graduate of Vail Institute of Pilates, Trish’s love of Pilates began 8 years ago when she discovered that Pilates was the perfect training to support her many passions including, skiing, hiking, biking and living her best life. Trish has two grown children who live in Denver, CO and Brooklyn, NY. She is grateful to have found a new home and community at Synergy Center for Wellness. She is excited to share her passion and practice with new and long-term pilates students.

NINA ALEY
INSTRUCTOR

NICOLE DARLEY
INSTRUCTOR

JAYME SARE
SUBSTITUTE INSTRUCTOR