Studio Barre

Susannah grew up in Wilmington, NC as an avid dancer. She went to college at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where she continued her love of dance in the performing ensemble and the dance team. She also fueled her passion for skiing, adventure, and endorphins where she raced on the alpine ski team. After college, she married her husband and the Marine Corps (haha). They have two daughters and have enjoyed the many moves, adventures, deployments, amazing friends, and anything-but-boring life together for almost 20 years.

Over the years Susannah’s passion for encouraging fitness and community has developed into leading running clubs (while pushing babies in strollers) in both NC and AZ. Supporting and seeing a new mom go from having a newborn or setting a goal after having kids to be more active, to running a marathon or half marathon in the same year is inspirational. While her kids were little Susannah also taught various group fitness classes (indoor cycling, mat Pilates, Pound, and barre) at gyms that had childcare or at a studio while the kids were in preschool. Multiple relocations and personal real estate transactions later, Susannah was also inspired to become a real estate agent and subsequently a transaction coordinator in both NC and AZ, to connect with and help fellow military families with logistis and moves across the country and world. Connecting with people and leading by example for her two daughters has always been her motivation. Merging an uplifting community with fitness and a healthy lifestyle is where Studio Barre Carmel Valley won her heart. She may be a newbie to the area, but she is excited to tone, shake, and tuck with you all! As a family, they enjoy skiing, hiking, running, biking, camping, the beach, and visiting friends around the world.

Brooke grew up in a military family and lived all over the United States while growing up, but settled in San Diego with her family in 2008.

Brooke was a swimmer all throughout her high school and college years, and took up running after moving to San Diego.  Being outside and being active is her “happy place”.   About 8 years ago Brooke was convinced by a friend to try a barre class, and fell in love with the way it made her feel and the community of people at the Carmel Valley studio.   After taking more than 750 classes, in 2024 she decided it was time to take the next step and become a bartender where she had been a client for all those tucks!

When she isn’t teaching or taking barre class, Brooke is a scientist working in the drug discovery field.   Or, when she’s not working, she’s with her teenage children, husband and pup, Yogi – either hanging out at home or exploring the horse trails in Poway, where she lives.

It’s Brooke’s goal in her classes to help clients fall in love with barre just as she did, by challenging them to understand how tiny movements make such a big difference in your fitness!

For those that know Megan, you already know she LOVES food! She has been plant based since 2010 and loves to create and share her favorite plant based treats. Whether it’s celebrating a milestone or “just because,” Megan is known to delight staff and clients with healthy sweets. She is our resident Barre{baker}!

Monica is from a small farm town in Central California. She got her Journalism degree from Long Beach State and had a career in public relations in Los Angeles before taking some time off to have a family. Monica and her family made San Diego their home in 2019 and now can’t ever imagine leaving! 

Two years ago when Monica made the big life decision to start a whole new career, go back to school and was in need of an outlet to manage the change, barre fell into her lap through friends! She instantly fell in love with the fun staff, the spicy workouts and the supportive community of the studio and quickly went from client to barre{ista}. Now, Studio Barre is Monica’s home away from home and has truly become her happy place.

Outside of barre, Monica enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, attending all of their after-school activities, planning fun outings with friends and going to the beach as often as possible. In addition, she is about to graduate from the Forensic Technology program at Grossmont College and is currently an intern at the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept Crime Lab where she aspires to start a career in Forensic Investigations.

Maddie was born and raised in San Diego. She grew up in the 4S Ranch area and spent her time in all different sports including dance, cheer & gymnastics. She attended Sonoma State University and graduated with a degree is Business – Marketing. Post-college, she made her way back to San Diego and found her happy place at SBCV when looking for a new workout studio!

She started as a client and fell in love with the workout, community, and all things that Studio Barre embodies. She enjoyed it so much she took the leap to became an instructor and serve up some shakes! After teaching at SBCV for a year, she moved with her husband to Charleston, SC, for his military orders and got to live in a new city! She also taught at a Studio Barre location on James Island and had the best time! Now, she, her husband, and their pup, are San Diego residents again and she is back on the mic here at SBCV!

When she isn’t teaching, she can be found working her full-time job in social media marketing, spending time with friends & family, taking class, at the beach or enjoying a margarita!

I became a barre addict after my very first class! i love barre because it helps me feel strong and healthy. one hour at the barre is the most efficient way to tone your entire body while also improving flexibility and having fun! my favorite things about barre, besides the amazing workout and unparalleled results, is being part of the studio barre community! everyone at studio barre is welcoming, motivating, and supportive and we are passionate about giving our clients the best experience to help them reach their goals.

While she lived in LA, she really started getting into fitness. She fell in love with a workout called Piloxing. It was everything she enjoyed rolled into one class, pilates, dance, and boxing. She got really involved with the company and even filmed their workout dvd’s with them. When she moved back to San Diego there was nothing like Piloxing so she decided she would become an instructor and teach it herself. Once she started teaching, she realized she didn’t love teaching like she loved taking class. So, she wanted to find a new workout she enjoyed and loved just as much. She tried a few workouts and none that really gave her the same feeling that made her want to keep coming back for more. That’s when she came across barre! It involves all the things she enjoyed and more.

When she’s not working out at barre, she is working on their charity, One More Win, which helps underserved high school athletes with necessary resources and equipment. Being a classroom mom in her son’s class, a team parent on her son’s sports teams, and driving lots of teenagers to and from. In her spare time she plans birthday parties and events (call her if you need a party planner)! Her husband and her think they are Joanna and Chip from Fixer Upper and love doing different projects to their house and has found her other calling, interior decorating.

Born and raised in San Diego, Penelope has always had a passion for dance, rhythm and active exercise. She has grown up at a dance study since age 3 and still practices on the daily. When she’s not in a studio, she enjoys spending time with her closest friends at the beach and fun dance competitions out of town. At almost 16 Penelope has had amazing opportunities like traveling to Germany twice to share her love for dance with people from all over the world. Two years ago Penelope discovered bar classes with her mom and fell in love instantly because they reminded her of time in the dance studio! Since her first class at 13 years old, she knew she wanted to be a barista for her first job. Because of her passion for music and exercise, Penelope would love to one day become a bartender at Studio barre Carmel Valley, and continue to call it her second home!

Katie became a client of SBCV in 2016 while searching for a local and convenient place to exercise after giving birth to her second child. She was immediately drawn to the low-impact, effective workouts, but even more so to the sense of community she felt walking through the doors.  Growing up playing soccer and used to high intensity workouts, she was also surprised by how quickly she saw positive changes after starting barre. One of the many reasons why Katie loves being a Barre{ista} is seeing new and returning clients walk through the doors and finding a connection with them though SBCV.

After leaving Illinois and her decade-long career in teaching dance, she found a new home as a Barre{tender} at Studio Barre.

She immediately fell in love with the barre technique and has a strong passion for the community of women that Studio Barre brings together. Being with her tribe at SBCV makes every shake & tuck worth it.

When she isn’t in class or on the mic, you can usually find her spending time at the beach with her husband, 2 toddlers, and their big pup!

Bio coming soon!