Jamie Sharpe
NCPT; RYT-200, Owner
Jamie Sharpe, owner of Apex Pilates, is a seasoned instructor, bringing over 17 years of teaching experience to the Apex Pilates community. Jamie's journey into the world of Pilates was sparked by her deep love for movement and her passion for staying active.
Jamie's dedication to her craft is evident in her extensive training and mentorship under some of the industry's finest experts, including luminaries such as Shari Berkowitz, Susan Moran-Perich, Brett Howard, Kathi Ross-Nash, the late Bob Leikens, Sadie Nardini, and Shana Meyerson. This diverse array of influences has enriched her teaching style, allowing her to blend the best of Pilates principles into her classes.
With an athletic spirit and infectious energy, Jamie brings her unique teaching style to her classes and private sessions. Her attention to detail, coupled with her dynamic and engaging approach, promises a workout experience that is not only effective but also enjoyable. Expect a session that's full of vitality, motivation, and a touch of athletic flair.
Beyond her passion for movement, Jamie finds fulfillment in her family life in Apex. Living with her husband Adam and their triplet daughters—Gracie, Taylor, and Bella—alongside their faithful dog Lola, Jamie embodies the values of balance and harmony that Pilates and Yoga embrace. Her love for running, spending time outdoors with her family, and cheering for her girls on the lacrosse field reflects her commitment to both personal wellness and nurturing relationships.
Join us in experiencing Jamie's dynamic Pilates sessions, and let her guide you on a path to wellness, strength, and joyful movement.
Stacie Dombroski
NCPT; RYT-500
Stacie’s fascination of anatomy and body mechanics lead her to pursue a degree in Biology followed with a master’s degree in Exercise Science. Her detailed attention to movement helps her work brilliantly with all levels of fitness, and she has become an expert in tailoring Pilates for many medical conditions.
Stacie received her original Pilates teacher training from The Physical Mind Institute in 2000. In 2003, Stacie became a Power Pilates Teacher Trainer. Stacie was selected for and has completed Kathi Ross Nash’s Red Thread Pilates Advanced Teacher Training Program in 2018, and enjoys continuing in depth training with several renowned Pilates trainers.
Melissa "Missy" Piccola
NCPT
Melissa “Missy” Piccola is a NCPT and has been teaching Classical Pilates since 2011. She received her certification through the Comprehensive Program with Power Pilates. She is also a TRX Certified Instructor. Missy loves working with clients one on one or in classes to help them strengthen their core and align their spine.
Prior to teaching Pilates, she was a Director of Human Resources for an internet company then a Sales & Marketing Manager in residential construction. Missy found her passion for Pilates when she relocated to Cary in 2005. Missy is also a Certified Life Coach. She lives in Cary with her boyfriend, Tom.
Lara Torgesen
NCPT
Lara Torgesen received her 600-hr Comprehensive Apparatus training through Power Pilates and is nationally certified through the NCPT program. A former avid distance runner & marathoner, Lara found her way into Pilates after a debilitating running injury that required reconstructive surgery on her foot & ankle, leaving her in chronic pain and barely able to walk.
She started her rehabilitation with mat Pilates and immediately noticed an increase in her core strength and stamina, and then she became hooked on the equipment. Each time she finished an equipment session, she felt stronger, taller, and more centered both mentally and physically. Experiencing the benefits of Pilates in her own practice has made her even more eager to share these benefits with her clients.
Lara is a former technical writer, editor, and published author. She has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in women’s studies. She lives in Cary with her family.
Janelle Fenwick
NCPT
Janelle started Pilates as a hobby and to compliment her 'day job' as a pediatric speech-language pathologist. She quickly fell in love with the method and decided to pursue becoming a Pilates instructor.
Janelle trained under Stacie Dombrowski and Patty Geiger to receive her 600 hr Comprehensive Apparatus training through Power Pilates. She is nationally certified through the National Pilates Certification Program and continues her training and education with Shari Berkowitz at The Vertical Workshop.
Janelle loves the energy that comes from classes and the attention to detail that the Pilates method encourages.
Amy Murray
NCPT; RYT-500
Amy’s Pilates journey began in 2002 when she took her first Pilates mat class. She was amazed at what a great workout it was and how great she felt afterward. She completed the Power Pilates Mat teacher training in 2003, and the Comprehensive Equipment Training with Power Pilates in 2004.
In 2014, Amy decided to expand her teaching horizons and completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training with InnerLight Yoga School. She completed her 300 hr advanced Yoga teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center in 2020.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys practicing Pilates and yoga, outdoor cycling, swimming, hiking, SUP (stand-up paddle boarding), volunteering with her church, and spending time with friends and family.
Amy truly believes that “movement heals”, and that Pilates can bring your body back into balance and optimal functioning. She teaches with compassion and a sincere interest in making clients feel great by creating length and strength in their bodies.
Jen McIntosh
Comprehensively Certified Pilates Teacher
After completing a certification through the National Personal Training Institute in Michigan in 2010, Jen became aware of just how much she loved helping her clients reach their fitness goals. She relocated to North Carolina and worked at a women’s only gym in Chapel Hill before dedicating the next decade to growing her own family while continuing her fitness journey.
In 2021, she took her first Pilates reformer class and was instantly hooked. She found a training course through the classical Peak Pilates method and completed her Comprehensive Pilates Certification in 2022. She spent the next year teaching both group classes and private lessons at Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC before joining the team at Apex Pilates in November 2023.
Jen is a firm believer that Pilates is for everybody and takes great pride in ensuring each client leaves their session feeling great, both physically and mentally. Jen lives in Holly Springs with her husband and three girls who keep her busy running to all things dance and tennis!
Sheri Laakso
Comprehensively Certified Pilates Teacher
Sheri's journey into the world of Pilates began in the spring of 2023, igniting a profound passion for the method and its remarkable effects on her physical and mental well-being. Her enthusiasm blossomed into a quest for knowledge, prompting her to seek out certification opportunities.
This commitment to personal and professional growth led her to embark on an intensive 600-hour comprehensive apparatus training through Classical Pilates Education in January 2024. Sheri's excitement for learning and evolving as a teacher shines through as she aspires to positively impact others, guiding them to uncover the same joy and transformative benefits she has experienced in her own practice. Sheri remains dedicated to refining her skills, ensuring she can best serve the Apex Pilates community.
Sheri resides in Apex with her husband and 2 daughters Madie and Emme, and their fur baby Tinsley.