The perfect team: Each of our trainers is fully capable of helping you to reach your health and fitness goals utilizing the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methodologies. Every member of the staff at San Francisco GYROTONIC® has studied under Master Trainer, Debra Rose.
Debra Rose, Founder Emeritus, Master Trainer
Debra Rose is the Founder Emeritus of San Francisco GYROTONIC®, primarily created to serve the San Francisco Bay Area's dance community in 1988. Since that time, San Francisco GYROTONIC® has grown to become one of the world's foremost GYROTONIC® training facilities, serving a variety of individuals and needs. Debra is not only a certified Master Trainer in all aspects of the system and equipment, but she is one of the few Master Trainers authorized by GYROTONIC® creator, Juliu Horvath to teach the GYROTONIC® Level I Final Certificate courses. As one of the first GYROTONIC® Master Trainers, Debra has worked closely with Mr. Horvath in developing and implementing a syllabus that has been used throughout the years and is responsible for training thousands of GYROTONIC® trainers currently working worldwide. Debra created the first syllabus and GYROTONIC® manual associated with a dance program for the LINES/Dominican University Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance program. She has also created a unique GYROTONIC® curriculum for the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program, Summer Program, San Francisco State University, and, most recently, The San Francisco High School of the Arts. Debra loves to help clients who have struggled with difficult injuries and limitations, who have not had success with other methodologies, and guide them towards their most healthy, strong, and mobile selves through the GYROTONIC® method.
As a dancer, Debra trained in New York at The School of American Ballet, after which she danced with the Oakland and San Francisco Ballets. The majority of her career was spent dancing as a principal and founding member of Alonzo King's LINES Ballet for 20 years. In addition to being a principal dancer, Debra served as a Ballet Mistress for LINES and assisted Mr. King in setting choreography on various companies that include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem, and the Joffrey Ballet. Debra also danced for the San Francisco Opera Ballet for 30 years, performing with artists such as Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, and Renee Fleming. She retired from the Opera in December 2013.
Nicole Bonadonna, Trainer
As a professional dancer, Nicole used both the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and Pilates as a supplement to her training. In 2007, Nicole completed her GYROTONIC® Level 1 certification under Master Trainer, Debra Rose. She has continued to deepen her expertise of the work through continued education in the GYROTONIC® methodology and has received additional certification on specialized equipment with Master Trainers, Debra Rose, Tamara Yoneda, and Abel Horvath. She has also completed rehabilitative studies with Paul Horvath, Master Trainer and brother of GYROTONIC® creator, Juliu Horvath. She is also certified in the GYROTONIC® Level 2 programs and has taken the following workshops: Therapeutic Applications for Scoliosis, Therapeutic Applications for Pelvic Girdle, Applications for Shoulder Girdle, Principles in the Context of Osteopath, Explorations into the Extremes, and Psoas Principles.
In 2002, she became certified in Pilates through The Physical Mind Institute under Jean Sullivan. She has studied with influential teachers Jean-Claude West and Mercy Sidbury in advanced concepts and teaching of Pilates.
As a teacher Nicole draws on her extensive knowledge of the body in motion to facilitate her clients’ discovery of their own movement and flow. She has a strong interest and knowledge in alternative health and nutrition, which she graciously shares with her clients to complement her teaching.
Alexis Borth, Trainer
Alexis has diverse dance training including ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, African, urban/hip hop, and Forsythe Improvisation/Choreography Techniques. Alexis graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the Conservatory of Music & Dance at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, which lead her to guest with Kansas City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
The GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® methodologies have interweaved throughout her training over the years and Alexis originally sought these modalities as a form of personal cross-training. The transformative qualities of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® were so profound on her own physicality that she hopes to share her knowledge and personal experience with students of all backgrounds.
Lynn Huang, Trainer, GT & GK Pre-Trainer, Co-Owner
Lynn Huang has been practicing GYROTONIC® for over two decades. Inspired by the way it changed her body and her dancing, she devoted herself to assisting individuals—from grandmothers to deskbound professionals to professional dancers, in their journey to surmount physical limitations and to develop greater strength, flexibility and freedom through the GYROTONIC® Expansion System. Certified in GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® in 2010, she has studied with GYROTONIC® Master Trainers Debra Rose, Nora Heiber, and Nathan Martin. A lifelong learner, she has continued her trainings in GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Level 2, all the specialized equipment, as well as the Wrapping Course, Breathing Course, and Pelvic Girdle Course. She’s also a certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Pre-Trainer.
Trained in modern dance, ballet, and Chinese dance, she has performed nationwide with various choreographers in New York City and in the Bay Area, and is currently dancing with Lenora Lee Dance. She was awarded a Fulbright to study ethnic minority dance in Beijing, China and received her BA in English at Barnard College. She is a 2023-24 Asian Improv arts Fellow.
In April 2024, Lynn and her husband, Chris, acquired SFG from Debra in order to continue the studio’s long tradition of being a community for healing and strengthening in San Francisco.
Melissa Kennedy, Trainer
Melissa Kennedy started practicing GYROTONIC® after several years of teaching pilates. Fascinated by the flow and ease she saw in people moving on the equipment, she followed her curiosity and from the first session she experienced a sense of freedom and satisfaction in her movement that felt uniquely powerful and healing.
Melissa completed her GYROTONIC® foundation training with Master Trainer, Debra Rose and GYROKINESIS® training with Master Trainer, Alicia Head. She’s taken continuing education in Level 2, Archway, Psoas Principles and GYROTONIC® Applications for Juliu’s Wrapping System. She holds bachelors degrees in Psychology and Dance. The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® has helped her deepen her understanding of the body that she developed through dance and pilates.
Melissa’s goal is to help each client increase strength, awareness and fluidity in their bodies. She hopes that through sharing her knowledge of the system she can guide them to experience freedom and joy in movement, whatever their ability or movement background. She is honored to be part of the SFG team.
Maurya Kerr, Trainer
Maurya Kerr began GYROTONIC® sessions for her own body over thirty-five years ago with Master Trainer Magali Messac. She became a trainer at San Francisco GYROTONIC® in 2005 under Master Trainers Debra Rose and Nora Heiber, and has also worked with Master Trainer Hilary Cartwright in her GYROTONIC® Hip Replacement Workshop. Maurya is certified on all the specialized equipment and has extensive experience with dancers, hip issues, post-surgery rehabilitation, and clients with Parkinson’s disease. She is grateful for and humbled by the opportunity to assist people on their journeys toward increased awareness, an enlivened body, physical empowerment, and embodied joy.
Grace Rose, Trainer
Grace moved to the Bay Area in 2017 after being accepted to the LINES Ballet Training Program. Encounters with injury allowed her to develop a meaningful relationship with both GYROTONIC® & Pilates. Grace is certified in GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS®, and the Jumping Stretching Board. Grace is passionate about helping her clients feel pain free and rejuvenated in their own one-of-a-kind, beautiful bodies!
Maddie Sager, Trainer
Maddie Sager was first introduced to GYROTONIC® by Kate Jordan Augusto in her hometown of Missoula MT. Upon graduating high school, Maddie moved to the Bay Area to study dance at the LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University of CA. This is where she began to study GYROTONIC® on a regular basis and became a certified trainer under master trainers Debra Rose, Dylan Elmore and Adrianna Thompson. Maddie has noticed the profound impact the system has had on her body as a mover and dancer. She credits GYROTONIC® for keeping her injury free and strong throughout the majority of her dance training and career. Maddie also teaches dance and dances professionally in the Bay Area. She is thrilled to be a part of the SFG team and under Debra Rose's guidance.
Amelia Sampson, Trainer
Amelia comes from a classical dance background and was first introduced to the GYROTONIC® EXPANSION SYSTEM® through the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University of California. During her time in the program, she experienced the transformative impact this system had on her dancing and fell in love with its unique ability strengthen yet mobilize the body through efficient and flowing movements. After graduating in 2019 as a dance major and creative writing minor, Amelia received her GYROTONIC® & GYROKINESIS® Level 1 Certifications under Master Trainer, Debra Rose. She is also certified in GYROTONIC® Level 2 Program 1, GYROKINESIS® Applications for Juliu’s Wrapping System, and on the Jumping Stretching Board. Amelia enjoys working with people of all ages and backgrounds, striving to help others discover the same therapeutic benefits, freedom of movement, and empowerment that this system has provided for her in mind, body and spirit. In addition to training, Amelia is a freelance dancer performing for project-based companies around the Bay Area.
Elodi Schwendener, Trainer
Elodi is a lifelong dancer and has been a practitioner of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® since 2015. She attended the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program 2016-2018, during which time she relied greatly on weekly GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® to stabilize, heal, and regenerate. She is a certified GYROKINESIS® trainer and has partaken in multiple GYROTONIC® courses. She enjoys working with clients of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities, and hopes to guide her clients to find more and ease and joy in their movement. She is a freelance dancer who has worked domestically and abroad, yet she is proud to live in San Francisco and call San Francisco GYROTONIC® her home.
Rita Scott, Trainer, GT Pre-Trainer
Rita Scott learned the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® in her native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Master Trainer, Rita Renha. She is also certified in the GYROKINESIS® methodologies, GYROTONIC® Level 2 programs, Jumping Stretching Board, and GYROTONER® with Master Trainer, Debra Rose. Rita specializes in working with dancers to aid in their cross training by leveraging her previous professional ballet career with the Teatro Municipal De Niteroí and the San Francisco Opera, her San Francisco Ballet School training, and the GYROTONIC® Applications for Dancers material.
New clients from the global community will especially appreciate Rita’s international background and diverse cultural competency. Her goals are to welcome her clients, movers and non-movers alike, and lead them toward moving with ease, strength, and balance. Rita is a member of the faculty of the GYROTONIC® programs for the LINES BFA at Dominican University, the LINES Ballet Training Program, and the San Francisco School of the Arts. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Rita loves being part of the SFG team.
Dazaun Soleyn, Trainer
Dazaun Soleyn, artistic director of dazaun.dance, began studying the GYROTONIC & GYROKINESIS EXPANSION SYSTEM® in the summer of 2012 at the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Program. After graduating from the University of South Florida’s Outstanding Graduate with a BFA in Modern Dance Performance and Choreography and the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program, Dazaun received a GYROTONIC® Level 1 Certification under the training of Master Trainer Miriam Barbosa, Master Trainer Debra Rose, Master Trainer Sebastian Plettenberg, and Trainer Caroline Brethenoux.
As a movement educator his teaching credits include the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program, University of South Florida, Cal-State University East Bay, Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program, Dance Mission Theater, and ODC Commons. Currently, Dazaun is a Dance Adjunct Professor for the University of San Francisco Performing Arts and Social Justice Program, Level 2 Reiki Practitioner, and a Subtle Energy Field Worker. He holds an MA in Architecture from California College of the Arts.
Rowan Williams, Trainer
Rowan's journey with the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® began within the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program, where its therapeutic benefits proved instrumental in her recovery from a chronic injury. Inspired by this transformative experience, she pursued her GYROTONIC® certification under the guidance of Master Trainer Debra Rose, further enhancing her expertise with certification on the Jumping-Stretching Board. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Rowan's formative years were defined by intensive training in classical ballet at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and competitive Irish dance at Tara Academy of Irish Dance, instilling in her a deep appreciation for movement and discipline. Beyond her role as a trainer, Rowan shares her passion for dance as a teacher and freelance professional dancer in the Bay Area. Thrilled to share her love for this movement practice, she is honored to be a part of the esteemed San Francisco GYROTONIC® trainer team.
Hannah Woolfenden, Trainer
Hannah fondly remembers aha moments from her early experiences with GYROTONIC® at the Lines Summer Intensive. During that time, Hannah learned to collaborate with their anatomy rather than work against it. Noticing an evolution in her dance technique, Hannah fell in love with the world of spirals and waves. While pursuing her degree with the Alonzo King Lines Ballet BFA program (where they later graduated with honors and a minor in math in 2023), Hannah made it a priority to become a certified trainer under Master Trainer, Debra Rose. In addition to being a certified GYROTONIC® trainer and the Course Coordinator for San Francisco GYROTONIC®, Hannah is a freelance dancer and performer throughout the Bay Area.
Joyce Zavarro, Trainer
Joyce Zavarro started practicing at San Francisco GYROTONIC® in 2008 after recovering from minor surgery for spinal stenosis with the intention of maintaining and increasing flexibility and suppleness that the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® emphasizes. She fell in love with the system and how it complimented dance. Having been dancing for over 30 years while working as a graphic designer, the GYROTONIC® practice has given her a deeper understanding of how the body moves and how aging does not need to limit us. Joyce loves how it creates fluidity, expansion, and most of all well-being. The joy that this method brings is wonderful and she loves sharing the knowledge. Joyce is certified in the GYROTONIC® Level 1 and Level 2 programs and on the Jumping Stretching Board and Archway. She is grateful to San Francisco GYROTONIC® and honored to be part of the studio.