Our Teachers

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

• Comprehensively Certified Balanced Body Pilates

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

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

• Ballet instructor

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

Brenna Mayer

Brenna took her very first reformer class right here at Move ME Pilates—and she was hooked from the start. A lifelong learner, she's earned two master’s degrees, and after finishing her most recent program and "retiring" from the corporate world, she jumped at the chance for more training—this time in something she truly loves: Pilates. For her, Pilates is something she looks forward to and genuinely enjoys, especially the energy and balance it brings into her life.

In the studio, she enjoys teaching everything from introductions for people brand new to Pilates to advanced classes for seasoned practitioners. It makes her happy to share Pilates with others. She doesn't take herself—or her classes—too seriously, and hopes that everyone finds something valuable in the time they spend together.

After moving around for a number of years, she and her husband have happily settled in Maine. When she's not in the studio, you can find her trying to learn tennis, getting lost in a good book, or heading out to dinner with family and friends.

• Balanced Body Mat 1-3

• Balanced Body Reformer 1-3

• Balanced Body Chair

Alicia Grinnell

Alicia moved to Maine in the fall of 2016 after a decade in NYC in search of fresher air and a place to park her car (her needs were simple). Movement and exercise have always been a priority, both for physical and mental health as well as to counteract the occasional glasses of crisp white wine. However, she found it hard to find something that hit the right balance of challenging and fun. Always open to trying something new, Alicia went to yoga, boxing, trampoline, HIIT, and whatever else ClassPass was offering at the time. Not one to be a quitter, she even ran not one but two marathons (Philly & NYC) before deciding running wasn't it. 

After her son turned one, Alicia treated herself to intro reformer sessions at Move Me and realized Pilates was IT! Pilates is the perfect combination of strength, flexibility, and balance. She loves that Pilates can work for any body type, age, or level of fitness, and that the reformer allows you to strength train without traditional weights. She is excited to help clients get stronger and she is always taking classes to perfect her own form. You can find her teaching Reformer, Chair, and Stretch classes, as well as private lessons and intro sessions. Alicia also loves to take care of the studio's plants as Move Me's self-appointed Director of Foliage Management.

Outside of the studio, Alicia enjoys cooking, cheering on the Hearts of Pine at home games, exploring Greater Portland's robust food and beverage scene, and cross stitching (yes, just like your favorite grandmother). She has also been a big sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program since 2018. Alicia lives in Portland with her husband Dave and son Arlo. 

• Balanced Body Reformer 1-3

• Balanced Body Chair

Jenny King

Movement has always been a central part of Jennys life. Growing up, she loved staying active through field hockey, basketball, rock climbing, and time spent in the gym. With a light background in dance, discovering Pilates felt like reconnecting with her younger self—and it quickly became a passion she couldn’t get enough of.

Originally from New Hampshire, Jenny moved to Maine 7 years ago. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, she's built a career as a digital marketing specialist. No matter how busy life got, she always found herself drawn back to movement as a way to feel grounded, strong, and connected to her body.

For her, Pilates is more than a workout—it’s a practice that builds both physical and mental strength. She loves the energy and positivity of the studio and is thrilled to now be teaching and sharing this passion with others. Her goal in every class is to create a supportive, uplifting space where clients can challenge themselves, laugh a little, and leave feeling empowered in their bodies.

Always eager to grow and learn new elements of Pilates, Jenny is constantly learning new techniques and training opportunities. She especially loves the pace of a jumpboard class and has found a new appreciation for mat and barre classes.

When she’s not in the studio, you can find her painting watercolors, reading, enjoying time outdoors, or working for her remote job. 

• Balanced Body Mat 1-3

• Balanced Body Reformer 1-3

• Balanced Body Barre certified

• Balanced Body Chair