Our Teachers

Hello,I’m Melissa Connolly…

.. the owner  of Move ME Pilates & Barre.

My Pilates training began as a dancer in Boston and I received my very first Pilates certification in 1998 from Pilates elder (a teacher of Joseph Pilates), Mary Bowen. 

​Soon after, I spent 11 years in Southern California immersed in a very progressive and innovative health and wellness community.  While living on the West Coast, I fully embraced Pilates and dance. Amazing opportunities presented themselves, leading to me becoming a teacher trainer for Balanced Body Pilates, working alongside Julian Littleford as he ran his teacher training program. I also became an instructor on the most popular Pilates online class site, Pilates Anytime. "

I strive to provide well balanced classes, positive energy,  attention to form and alignment, musicality in barre class and deep kinesthetic sense to motivate clients of all ages, abilities and limitations, and mentor up-and-coming Pilates instructors.
—Melissa

Before starting Move ME I owned The Pilates Barre in Massachusetts and at the same time worked at the biggest East Coast Balanced Body training center, Boston Body. I also began leading Pilates and Barre workshops through Pilates On Tour.

​Since moving to Maine in the spring of 2018, I had a singular VISION of inspiring my new community through the magical movement of Pilates and Barre. I sought out a studio space that was comfortable and welcoming, had plenty of natural light, and would be convenient for students to attend in-person classes. Move ME Pilates opened March of 2019!

  • PMA Certified Pilates 

  • PhysicalMind Pilates Certification

  • Julian Littleford Pilates Certification

  • Balanced Body Master Instructor Trainer Certification

  • Pre/Post-Natal Pilates Specialist™ Certification

  • Pilates Anytime Instructor

  • ACE Fitness Personal Trainer

  • Buff Bones Pilates certification

  • The Classical Syllabus training with Mejo Wiggins

  • Lotte Burke Barre Lineage training

Jennifer Pochurek

  • Jennifer’s love of movement and dance began at a very early age when she was introduced to Rhythmic Gymnastics. From her first twirl of the ribbon, she was hooked! Jennifer competed in Rhythmic Gymnastics for over 10 years, ultimately earning a spot on the US National Team and representing the US in international competitions. Her training was deeply rooted in ballet with an emphasis on strong, graceful, beautiful movement.

    It wasn’t until her 30s, after sustaining many injuries from running, that she discovered Pilates. Much like her experience with Rhythmic Gymnastics, she was hooked from the start. Not only did Pilates bring relief from injury, it allowed her to move and feel the same way she did when she was a gymnast.

    Jennifer has practiced Pilates and Barre for over 15 years. In 2018 she moving from Florida to Maine with her husband and three children and was delighted to find Move ME Pilates. She started as a client and moved on to become an instructor. When she’s not in the Studio, you will find her dancing in the kitchen, gardening, and hanging out with her chickens.

  • Balanced Body Reformer Levels 1 -3

  • Balanced Body Mat 1-3

  • Balanced Body Cadillac, Chair and Barrels

  • Movement Principles and Anatomy

  • Balanced Body Barre certification

  • Lotte Burke Barre Lineage training

Amity Chadbourne

Amity started taking a serious interest in my physical fitness in college. She quickly became a cardio junkie and truly felt the only way to exercise was to make it heart pounding and intense without any real focus on what my body was doing. This was not the best choice for a body with chronic movement issues. After her 4th round of Physical Therapy for alignment and strength imbalance issues, she decided it was time to make a change and really listen and learn about my body and about how it moved and functioned. She decided she wanted to take control instead of letting it control her. Amity discovered that Pilates focused on the principles that my Physical Therapists had been trying to teach her. Through a new body awareness, she learned where my muscle imbalances were and how to correct them when performing the exercises to develop balanced muscle strength and better neutral body alignment. Today she stands taller, is more confident and just…feels better mentally and physically. Pilates has also improved her cardio performance. Amity enjoys biking, walking and hiking much more now with less fatigue and pain. She feel that everyone can benefit from adding some form of Pilates into their weekly routine whether that routine already includes physical activity or not.

Today, Amity works in the field of customer service. She balances out a desk job with regular sessions of Pilates for personal fitness and goals. Having the opportunity to share her love of Pilates with clients at Move ME she is thrilled to watch clients learn and develop.

  • Stott Essential and Intermediate Mat Pilates

  • Balanced Body Reformer 1 and 2

  • Balanced Body Mat 1 and 2

Diane Dombrowski

Diane surprised herself by becoming a Pilates instructor as a second career!  Her background and education is in both science and business and she spent her work life in the biotech industry.  Upon her retirement, her curiosity and desire for movement led her to taking classes at the Move Me studio starting in 2019.  She began adding more and more classes to her weekly schedule and eventually took on the Balanced Body comprehensive teacher training under the tutelage of Melissa Connolly at the studio. 

Diane Is passionate about Pilates and believes that it is accessible to people of any age!  Strength, flexibility, mobility and balance are all enhanced in a single Pilates session.  Start where you are at, be consistent, and you will soon be motivated by the results you see in both mind and body!  That has been her own personal experience.

When not at the studio, Diane enjoys travel domestically and internationally.  She loves walking and hiking, always enjoying the coast of Maine.  She’s always loved the outdoors, growing up in Connecticut where she was an avid swimmer and horseback rider.  She is currently teaching Reformer, Chair and Jump classes at the studio as well as teaching Introductory and private sessions.

  • Balanced Body Reformer Levels 1 -3

  • Balanced Body Mat 1-3

  • Balanced Body Cadillac, Chair and Barrels

  • Movement Principles and Anatomy

Shannon Collum

Shannon’s introduction to health and wellness began early, after an asthma diagnosis in childhood. Her first ventures into fitness were of the homegrown, Midwestern variety: hiking and hunting with her dad, moving heavy furniture at a family-owned auction gallery, and dancing along to Richard Simmons in her mom and dad’s Michigan living room.

Though her professional background is in education, with 15 years as an English teacher, instructional coach, and district literacy coach, Shannon always found ways to incorporate fitness into her life. She began running recreationally in college and later organized HIIT workouts for friends and colleagues. Her love of endurance sports led her to coach track and complete multiple half marathons, the Detroit Marathon, and numerous indoor and outdoor triathlons.

Life threw some unexpected challenges her way—a stage II cancer diagnosis, a surprise baby post-chemo, and a career shift into professional coaching (Shift with Shannon). Through it all, Shannon remained committed to movement and explored a variety of fitness disciplines, from Yin yoga and strength training to rowing and spinning. Above all, it was Barre and Pilates that truly captivated her.

What Shannon loves most about the studio—beyond the incredible physical and mental benefits—is the supportive, fun-loving community she’s found at Move ME. She brings her passion for movement, teaching expertise, and a deep appreciation for resilience to every class, helping students feel strong, confident, and empowered. But above all, Shannon wants Move ME clients to have fun in her classes!

When she’s not leading a Barre class, organizing something, or making a list, Shannon enjoys quality time with her family, reading to her daughter Liv, dissecting sitcom plots with her husband Josh, or meeting friends for a good cup of coffee.


  • Balanced Body Barre certified

  • Movement Principles

  • Studio Manager

Lucie Berse

 

Lucie's passion for movement began as a young child with dance, gymnastics and skiing. In high school she discovered yoga and strength training, and this set her on a path to learn about anatomy and kinesiology. After graduating from college and working corporate jobs that limited her movement, she became a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. When the opportunity arose to move to Asia, she discovered triathlon and martial arts, and had the opportunity to work at the premier MMA gym in Asia and train with some of the top martial arts instructors and fighters in the world. Her clientele included a broad range from post-partum moms to MMA fighters. Helping people find movement, get strong, move better and feel better has always been incredibly rewarding for Lucie.

 

Lucie's own movement journey has included road and mountain biking, snowboarding, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiujitsu, running, and swimming. These pursuits have given her the ability to better understand movement as well as healing injuries through movement. In 2018 after going through pregnancy and childbirth three times with a hip injury, Lucie discovered Pilates. The integration of core connection and movement, in addition to the mind-body aspect of Pilates really drew her. When she moved to Maine with her family in 2021, Lucie found Melissa and began the certification process. She has completed her Mat & Reformer hours, and is working towards her Comprehensive certification in addition to Barre and CoreAlign. When not teaching Pilates, she spends a lot of time driving her 3 kids around and taking care of her many animals!

  • Balanced Body Reformer Levels 1 -3

  • Balanced Body Mat 1-3

  • Balanced Body Cadillac and Chair

  • Movement Principles and Anatomy

  • Balanced Body Barre certification

Renee Li

Renee Li’s journey with movement began in her childhood in Maine, where she trained as a dancer with principal dancers from Alvin Ailey and the Kirov Ballet. She later pursued her passion for dance at the Boston Conservatory, deepening her understanding of the body’s strength, grace, and fluidity.

Her love for teaching led her into education, where she worked as a Montessori teacher. It was during this time that she took her first Pilates class—and instantly fell in love. Though life took her in different directions, it wasn’t until she lived in Asia that she was able to fully reconnect with Pilates. She was drawn to the practice’s deep focus on core strength, balance, and overall well-being.

After returning to the U.S. three years ago, Renee was thrilled to find Move ME and train under Melissa to become a Pilates instructor. Teaching Pilates brings her immense joy—she loves watching her clients grow stronger, build confidence, and move closer to their fitness goals.

Outside the studio, Renee enjoys biking, spending time outdoors, and working with children. She believes that movement should be empowering and enjoyable, and she strives to create a supportive and uplifting environment in every class she teaches.

Balanced Body Mat Certified

  • Balanced Body Reformer Levels 1 -3

  • Balanced Body Barrels

  • Movement Principles and Anatomy

  • Balanced Body Barre

Crystal Brown

A lifelong athlete, Crystal discovered her passion for movement as a competitive track star in her youth. Her early years were defined by speed, endurance, and the thrill of competition. However, as she transitioned through life, she sought new ways to stay active and challenge her body.

There’s something about the rhythm and flow of a Barre class or the precision of a Pilates session that she genuinely enjoys. It never feels like a chore—just a part of her life that makes her feel good, inside and out. Crystals love for fitness drew her to pursue a BS in Sports Medicine, AS in Dietetics and a Certification in Fitness Instruction.

 Crystal has found a deep love for Pilates and Barre at Move ME Pilates, embracing the strength, flexibility, and balance they bring to her routine. She appreciates how these practices keep her body resilient and her mind centered, allowing her to continue feeling strong and energized. Whether perfecting her form at the Barre or deepening her core engagement on the mat, she embodies the philosophy that movement is a lifelong journey. Every day she steps foot into the studio she appreciates the friendships and camaraderie she has built by joining Move ME.

Crystal is a proud Mom of two, married to her high school sweetheart Jason for over 25 years. When she is not at the studio Crystal spends time on the lake boating, swimming and enjoying her family time!

  • Balanced Body Barre Certified

  • BS Sports Medicine