Instructors at The Firm Body Pilates Training Center

Privates, Duets, Small and Large Groups, Daily Group Classes, and Instructor Training

All Pilates Exercises can be modified to meet the needs of the individual. From Teens to Seniors, from Beginners to Advanced Trainers, whether you train on the Pilates equipment or on the mat, you can always adjust the motion and intensity to your own personal level.

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Jodi Melton

OWNER of The Firm Body Pilates Training Center
ACE, AFAA, PMA, PMI, and PMI certifying Instructor Trainer
Jodi has worked in the fitness industry since 1980. She has worked with high school athletes to professional athletes as well as becoming an instructor trainer and CEC provider presenting at National Conferences IRHSA amongst many others. She discovered Pilates in 2002 while program director at the Honolulu Club in Hawaii. When Pilates started to come in to the fitness industry she decided to look in to this trending new style. From the first session she was hooked. She decided to seek her training through the Physicalmind Institute and now is a Physicalmind Institute Instructor Trainer. Physicalmind is the most contemporary and progressive style of Pilates instruction out there and was the first ever certifying training program. Since then many have tried to follow suit but Physicalminds training program was as true to Josephs Pilates principles as possible. In addition, Jodi is also a Chiropractic Assistant Certified Instructor and has also worked with Physical Therapists who also refer their clients to her for the next phase of continued rehab through Pilates.
Jodi has a passion for challenging movement and loves using the amazing disciplines Pilates provides. She enjoys helping her clients move in a way that helps them feel the benefits in their everyday life.
“After years of high impact instruction and beating up my own body, I found that Pilates makes my body feel better, feel stronger and it keeps my bones and body health. I truly love what Pilates can do and want to share that experience with others.”

Caroline Biondo

As a classically trained ballerina, my life has consisted of movement since I was 3 years old. Through Pilates, my job is to solve problems people have through form-focused movement that streamlines to everyday life. My experience includes but is not limited to professional athletes, dancers, and everyday professionals. I received my Pilates Certificate from Texas Christian University with over 650 hours of comprehensive training on all pieces of equipment. My training includes functional anatomy, history, philosophy, ethics and information on health and wellbeing. While at TCU, I also earned my BFA in Ballet and BA in Economics. With each client, I look to find the uniqueness of each body in front of me creating overall efficiency leading to a better quality of life. I believe through consistent commitment, Pilates will make you feel better.

Maria Biondo

Maria Biondo began studying Pilates intensely during her time as an undergraduate student at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. While working towards her BFA in Classical Ballet & BA in Communications, Maria was selected to be a part of 10 teacher trainers to participate in the inaugural class of TCU’s School for Classical and Contemporary Dance Pilates Teacher Training program. Maria recognized the importance of Pilates conditioning as she worked on strength, mobility, length, and flexibility as an addition to her dancing and her practice grew to a passion. Maria is comprehensively certified with over 650 hours of training on Mat, Reformer, Cadillac/Tower, Chair, Ladder Barrel + numerous props and her teaching offers an extensive repertory of exercises with classical and contemporary traditions. Maria’s training includes a range of teaching practices, functional anatomy, history, philosophy, ethics and information on health and wellbeing, as well as special training of physical conditions and contraindications. Maria shares her love of this movement through teaching the deep connections of the work and firmly believes Pilates will help and heal every body.

Ashley Gross-Hoffman

Ashley was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to discovering her passion for teaching and pilates, she danced ballet for 10 years. She graduated from Colombia College, with a degree in Arts Business Management and Minor in Dance. While in college and performing, Ashley was fortunate enough to have one of her ballet instructors introduce her to the reformer. In 2021, Ashley’s psoriatic arthritis was becoming worse and after a 10 year long career in fitness, it was time to transition into another career less stressful on her joints and physical body, but still allowing her to help others reach their health goals. While working full time as a territority sales manager, Ashley had the opportunity to receive a scholarship with PEAK pilates. Driven by newfound joint relief, Ashley completed her extensive 200 hour+ comprehensive classical Pilates Teacher Training under the direction, guidance and mentorship of Anne Lukaska. Ashley is very grateful for everyone along her journey who has believed in her since day one. After receiving her certification, in May of 2022, Ashley became the a Pilates instructor at Lifetime Fitness in North Scottsdale. Ashley is ecstatic, honored and grateful to be apart of the Firm Body Pilates community! Since joining Jodi and her amazing team of talented instructors in January of 2023, Ashley completed an additional certification through Physical Mind Institute. She was given the gift to continue her pilates educational journey, by attending a weekend course lead by Sean Bergara, hosted at Firm Body Pilates.

Tara Melton

Tara has been an athlete her entire life and has completed her 500+ hour comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Certification through the Physical Mind Institute (PMI). She played collegiate volleyball at Glendale Community College and The University of Alaska Anchorage and earned the title of First Team All-American her sophomore year. In school, Tara earned her Masters in English with an Emphasis in Secondary Education and is working toward her MBA and MS in Leadership. With Jodi as her mom, Pilates has always been a part of her life, but her solo journey with Pilates really started when she wanted to improve her vertical jump for volleyball and Jodi wanted to fix the pronation of her feet. Tara found joy with Pilates as the workouts helped her improve her jump height and physicality without harming her joints, and fixed the pronation of her feet. During her time as an athlete, there were plenty of times where she had agitated joints or muscles and Pilates was the only avenue that effectively,consistently, and quickly helped. Tara is eager to bring Pilates into the lives of others and show them how beneficial it can be for all aspects of life.

Samantha Demoro-Richard

Samantha is an Arizona native who has always had an active lifestyle. She started her volleyball career at 12 years old and met Pilates instructor Tara Melton at the age 16, playing club volleyball together, and both went on to play collegiate volleyball at Glendale Community College (GCC). During her time at GCC, her coach had a focus on not only improving the team’s skills, but also preventing injury. She required the team to participate in strength and conditioning group workouts that assisted in building the important muscles that protected parts of the body from injury. After community college, Samantha continued her education at Grand Canyon University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Business Management. She was familiar with Pilates and took private lessons from Jodi Melton, during her years playing volleyball. Samantha was given the opportunity to train and work towards her Pilates certification and so far has completed her Mat Certification and working towards her Apparatus Certification. She is excited to improve the lives of others and aid in making each individual a happier and healthier version of themselves.

Matt Morrison

As an athlete his entire life, Matt first wanted to get involved with Pilates as a way of how to help treat shoulder pains that have accumulated his entire life. After becoming immersed in it after multiple sessions Matt developed a passion for not only performing different exercises; but helping others learn them as well. This drove him to complete his 500+ hour comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Certification through the Physical Mind Institute. As an Arizona native his entire life, Matt attended Washington High School where he was involved in multiple programs such as the baseball and swim team. He later went on to further his education at Northern Arizona University as well as Arizona State University where he achieved his bachelors of arts in communication. As an instructor Matt is eager to help clients heal any ailments they may be having and ready to help improve the health of all through Pilates.

Evgeniya Barbosa

Evgeniya was introduced to Pilates in 2017 and immediately enrolled to be an instructor. Evgeniya’s love of Pilates derives from her passion for fitness as well as assisting people to push theirboundaries and feel healthier. After completing her comprehensive training through Pilates Sports Center, Evgeniya obtained her PSC and NPCP Pilates Certification. Once Evgeniya completed her certification, she joined a privately owned Pilates studio in North Scottsdale area and began training clients to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals, like hitting a golf ball further or having more strength and flexibility. Dedication to her craft drives Evgeniya to continue her education in current training trends while emphasizing injury prevention, rehabilitation, and rotational sports. When Evgeniya is not teaching Pilates, you can find her either training for a marathon, hiking, reading or hanging out with her family and friends.