THE
STUDIO THREE TEAM
Our team at Studio three have been carefully selected for their expertise, experience in the programs they teach and above all, their commitment and level of care for our clients!
Viv Gallagher
Viv‘s passion for movement started from a young age with classical ballet and developed over the years as she studied various styles of dance, gymnastics, yoga and pilates.
Viv has more than 25 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is a certified Group Fitness Master trainer, Personal Trainer, TRX, Barre, Pilates Mat and Reformer Instructor, Viv has worked internationally teaching Pilates and a wide range of group fitness classes for leading brands including Les Mills and BTS.
Viv has completed training in a variety of Pilates styles over the years. Her classes reflect her versatility and experience ranging from New York Core workout based reformer methods, Stability Plus and Yin Pilates certifications.
Committed to continuing education Viv has completed a comprehensive Pilates Anatomy and Kinesiology course with Anthony Lett and continues to study in Yin Pilates.
Viv founded Studio Three in 2013 with a vision of providing high quality boutique fitness classes across the 3 disciplines of Pilates, Barre & Yoga to create balance in both body and mind by offering both Yin and Yang style classes.
Studio Three was the first Studio in Auckland to Introduce the high energy Barre classes and Viv's team have been comprehensively trained in the Internationally acclaimed Xtend Barre method.
Viv is a firm believer that in order to stick to a fitness routine, it must motivate, challenge mentally and physically and above all be something that you enjoy doing!
Penny Metcalfe
Penny has had a love of sport and fitness since school. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and has held a variety of roles within this realm. She is a qualified Polestar Pilates Instructor and was introduced to Xtend Barre in early 2013.
Penny likes how Xtend Barre is a challenging, yet achievable workout that is fun and great for mind-body coordination. Its suits all abilities and a dance background is not required! Penny loves to see participants leaving a class happy, sweaty, refreshed and challenged! She is looking forward to seeing Xtend Barre grow in New Zealand.
Meech Aspden
Meech’s most recent role was the Regional Director of Group Fitness for Pure International Ltd based in Hong Kong, managing a team of 100 instructors.
Having had over 20 years of global experience coaching, presenting and educating in many different countries, Meech’s comprehensive knowledge and diverse skill set have earned her popularity and respect.
Meech is a renowned Master Trainer for TRX and Rip Trainer, Global Master Trainer for ViPR, Master Trainer for Rumble Roller (Self Myofascial Release techniques), Master Trainer for Barre, and a Mentor/Educator for Polestar Pilates. She has been instrumental in developing these programs, training Instructors and Personal Trainers, and launching them successfully throughout Asia Pacific. In the past 8 years, Meech has coached and mentored over 60 Mat and Reformer instructors through to successful completion of their Polestar Pilates certification and qualifications.
Meech specializes in training and coaching group and individual clients with a particular emphasis on understanding the biomechanics of human movement and its practical application to help prevent injury, speed healing and rehabilitation, and improve overall fitness, health and wellbeing.
Meech lives by the motto of “Live with integrity and be passionate about everything that you do”.
Maria Munkowits
Maria Munkowits is a freelance dancer based in Auckland and holds a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts majoring in contemporary dance.
She has toured both locally and internationally in various performances and worked with some of New Zealand's leading contemporary dance companies. Maria has completed a YTA 200hr yoga teacher training course with Byron Bay Yoga in 2010 and is a passionate advocate of yoga and dance.
Maria has developed Yoga Dance, now offered at Xtend Barre and Studio3 – a flowing practice combined with classic and dynamic yoga postures choreographed with invigorating musicality.
Rebecca Wyatt
Rebecca grew up with a very active lifestyle and has not stopped moving since. She began dancing at the age of 4 doing Ballet and Jazz, and also has a strong background in competitive Athletics.
Outside the studio, she has recently completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Advertising Creativity, pursuing a career in the arts and media industry.
Rebecca has recently completed the intensive Xtend Barre training and is now a fully certified instructor. Rebecca is passionate about staying active and continually challenging herself, her sweet, cheerful personality will inspire you to do the same!
Pamela Sidhu
Pamela was first introduced to yoga during her professional dance training at the New Zealand School of Dance. During her studies and since graduating she has worked with Black Grace Dance Company, The New Zealand Dance Company, The Lion King(Australian tour) and the Lion King (Netherlands.)
Throughout her career, Pamela continued to develop a strong and personal yoga practice which shes believes has sustained the health of her body and mind. Preventing injuries; assisting with muscle recovery; and offering a place of refuge, from the fast pace of everyday life, to slow down and reconnect.
To take her practice further, she completed a YTA 200hr yoga teacher training in Spain with Frog Lotus Yoga. She continued to each in Europe and loves that she now gets to invite and guide others to journey on the same thoughtful inquiry of their bodies and minds.
Emily Adams
Emily currently works as a Pilates instructor, Contemporary Dance artist and Dance teacher. She fell in love with Pilates at the age of 17 where it was introduced to her during full time dance training at The New Zealand school of Dance.
Since then Pilates has been a constant in her life, a regular practice, as it not only enhanced her dance career but her overall well being. She has had the pleasure of working with various overseas artists and many of the most high profile Choreographers and Companies in New Zealand dance industry which has led her to perform around the country and the world.
In 2014 she was eager to extend her Pilates training, so began this with the Polestar Pilates method…and has never looked back! She has since graduated from both the Polestar Mat and Comprehensive Studio courses, is a Polestar Mentor in Comprehensive, Reformer and Mat, she is a Reformer and Mat Educator for the Polestar teacher training courses.
Emily considers it to be a privilege to share her passion for Pilates with others, and is deeply invested in guiding each individual towards their goals.
Phoebe Jeurissen
Phoebe is one of our amazing original team members who started with Studio Three in 2013! As well as being a fully certified Barre, Pilates Stick and TRX Instructor Phoebe is a professional dancer and for the past five years she has been travelling the world dancing and teaching barre, dance and fitness classes. Recently returned to us from overseas Phoebe is here to energise and empower you to move with mindfulness.
Esther Hankinson
Esther began her Pilates journey back in 2002 in Sydney after having her fourth child and feeling the need to get strong again. She quickly developed a love for Pilates and the benefits that good movement brings. After moving to Auckland in 2007, Esther started her mat and equipment training with Polestar Pilates and completed her certification in early 2009. Esther has been fortunate to have learned from some of the best, with exposure to excellent international and local educators. She is also a mentor for Polestar Pilates. Over the years, Esther has enjoyed seeing the changes that increased mobility and strength has brought to many of her clients and looks forward to meeting you in the studio!
Amy Stewart
Amy has been a jazz and ballet dancer her whole life & blending this with her love for fitness, teaching Barre is the perfect combination!
She trained under Angela Gendell at Dance Pilates (while working reception at Studio 3!) before heading to New York for two summers to teach dance and fitness conditioning at a specialty performing arts camp. She also enjoys weight-training, having competed in 8 bodybuilding shows in NZ and Australia, and holding the national title of WFF Miss Fitness NZ in 2018.
Amy is a professional dancer with Finesse Entertainment and juggles teaching group fitness & performing alongside her day job at My Food Bag, which supports her passion for nutrition and wellness. She is also a breast cancer survivor, with fitness playing a major part in her physical and mental recovery!
Amy believes fitness should be fun and there's a 'fit' for everyone. She loves helping people find what workouts they enjoy - movement shouldn't be a chore!
Bella Wilson
Bella is a contemporary dancer, choreographer and teacher. She currently teaches for The New Zealand Dance Company and is a dance lecturer at Unitec PASA.
With her background in dance Bella was drawn to Barre as a fantastic workout that can be enjoyed by all. Bella completed her barre teacher training with Barrefigure in Auckland in 2018, and has been teaching barre ever since! She has experienced the benefits of barre first-hand: it is the way she has been able to stay fit, healthy and injury free as a freelance dancer.
She loves motivating others to reach their potential, and we can guarantee she will push you to do things you didn't know you were capable of, with lots of smiles and laughter along the way!
Jess Mandella
Jess has taught Dance for over 15 years, she worked with the Candy Lane Dance Company for 10 years and has taught and performed in Australia, London and NZ in corporate events, Tvcs and fashion shows.
Jess discovered Barre 6 years ago and after doing classes for herself realised she absolutely loved it.
She completed her Barre training course in NZ and has been teaching for the past 5.5 years.
In 2020 she completed a mat Pilates and Anatomy training course through Studio Pilates International so is also a qualified Mat Pilates teacher.
Jess is a passionate Barre / Pilates instructor, her high energy and sense of fun will motivate you during class to achieve your goals.
