Our Instructors

Rhonda Celenza	Rhonda is a Level III instructor of Romana's Pilates. She opened Pilates Connection in 2006. She started training in 1993 and was certified in 1995. Rhonda came to Pilates following a successful ballroom dancing career. Rhonda's successful career as a profession ballroom dancer took her to national competitions for over 25 years and she was introduced to Pilates as an avenue to strengthen and enhance her performance in the Latin Division of ballroom dancing. Rhonda did one of her first lessons in 1993 with Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates protege and founder of Romana's Pliates™ which inspired her to study pilates more in depth.
Juanita Lopez	Juanita is a Level I instructor of Romana’s Pilates, began her studies with Romana Kryzanowska in the summer of 1988. Prior to that she had been a professional ballet dancer and taught ballet in the Chicago area. Juanita was also on the faculty of Northwestern University where she taught ballet and eventually the Pilates mat work. In 1993, at the request of Romana, Juanita began teaching the seminars for the certification training program that was supervised by Romana. Since then her duties also include administering final exams and teaching continuing professional education. Juanita is highly sought after by teachers all over the world for her knowledge of Pilates. Juanita currently has a private practice and also teaches at Pilates Connection. She continues her education by studying with Romana as often as she can.
John Lisiecki	John is a Level IV instructor of Romana's Pilates. Following a career in dance, John came to Pilates. He began studying Pilates with Juanita Lopez in 1999 and decided to pursue teaching certification under Janice Dulak, Level 2 instructor of The Pilates Center in Champaign, Illinois. He received his certificate in January, 2005 and began working at Pilates Connection in April 2005. John has also been a massage therapist since 1994.
Chris Girard	Chris became a certified instructor in March, 2007. She completed her training under Rhonda Celenza and Juanita Lopez at Pilates Connection and has made many trips to New York,Washington DC, Seattle, Champaign, and Arlington, Texas to study under a variety of top teachers. Chris continues to teach in Evanston and has opened a studio in Barrington, IL – PILATES STUDIO 6.
Andrea Versenyi	Andrea began studying Pilates in 1991 following an injury to her neck. She was excited by the improvement in her daily functioning that Pilates gave her and sought out a way to share this with others. Upon moving to Evanston, Andrea decided to leave the field of social work and began training under Rhonda Celenza and Juanita Lopez. She completed her training and became a certified instructor of Romana’s Pilates in 2007.
Chris Bauer	Chris became certified in Romana’s Pilates in July 2008 under the direction of Rhonda Celenza and Juanita Lopez. She originally began her study of Pilates in 2001 to complement her dance. After 33 years of service as the Director of the Dance Division at New Trier High School she retired in 2006. In addition to teaching at Pilates Connection, Chris also teaches at Studio 6 in Barrington with owner Chris Girard.
Kari Job	Kari received a Pilates teaching certification from another Pilates method in 2003. After teaching Pilates for four years in the Chicago and Oak Park areas, she decided that she wanted a deeper knowledge of the work. She came to Pilates Connection in order to go through the Romana’s Pilates teaching certification program. After studying with Rhonda Celenza for a year, she entered into the program and completed her certification in 2008.
Niki Moe Horrell	Niki turned to Pilates hoping to lose 60 lbs. after giving birth to twins. She was astounded by the transformation she saw in her own body and realized that Pilates was the profession for which she had been searching. Having worked many years in the corporate world, Niki wanted to move to a field where natural healing was paramount; Pilates was it. Niki completed her training at Pilates Connection in 2008 and now enjoys teaching here.
Cheryl DuChez	Cheryl began studying Pilates with Rhonda Celenza in 2006. She was thrilled to have experienced the many benefits of Pilates. After studying Pilates for a few years she decided to go through the apprentice program under the supervision of Rhonda Celenza and Juanita Lopez. Cheryl became certified in 2009. In addition to teaching and studying Pilates, Cheryl is also a licensed massage therapist.
Michael Calzavara	Michael began his study of Pilates in 2005 as a way to maintain the fitness level required in his job as a Chicago Firefighter/EMT. Often the only male in the class, standing 6’2”, he continued his pursuit in experiencing the incredible benefits of Pilates. He then decided to expand his education and become an instructor and was certified by Juanita Lopez in 2010. He is now interested in encouraging other men and women to discover the practice of Pilates, helping them build stronger, healthier bodies.