Fitness Instructor Bios

Maggie Barclay: BTSS Fitness Coordinator

Maggie has been working in the fitness field since 1984. She is an ACE certified personal trainer, AFAA certified fitness instructor, AFAA certified kickboxing Instructor, and certified Aqua Instructor.  Along with that she is trained as a Yoga fit- Level 1 Instructor, Certified Drums Alive® Instructor.  Other skills include training as a Longevity Wellness Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist, and the ASFA Senior Fitness Instructor training. Possesses a passion for organizing and participating in charity events, including 6 years with the 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer and ongoing local charities.  Join Maggie for Cardio Dance Party, Strength & Balance, Gentle Moves Yoga and Small Group Personal Training!

Ernie Thomas: BTSS Pool Coordinator

Ernie Thomas is the BTSS Pool Coordinator and head lifeguard.  In addition to these key roles at BTSS Ernie is certified as an aquatics instructor and teaches several aquatics classes, along with guarding open swim times. Ernie has certifications that include First Aid & CPR Instructor, Water Safety Instructor, Certified Pool Operator, along with his Masters in Leadership.   Ernie’s positive attitude, happy personality and enthusiasm inspire our senior swim participants to push harder to achieve their fitness goals.

Mari Ann Pace-Bleau

Teaches fitness & a competitive ballroom dancer. Enjoys working with all ages from children through seniors. Has her BSC Ed, minor in PE, concentration in dance and Master of Arts-Teaching. ACE Certified Group Fitness  Instructor and Licensed Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Toning, & Strong by Zumba. Certified Drums Alive, LaBlast, and trained in Barre intensity method. 

Becca Smith: BTSS Assistant Fitness Coordinator

Becca is a WMU graduate, with a degree in Dietetics. Professionally, has worked in a gym environment for over 15 years in various roles, spending 8+ as as Regional Manager. passionate about health and wellness, and personally likes to stay active! AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Aqua Certified and American Red Cross Lifeguard. A mom of 3 wonderful children and is grateful to have her husband of 9 years by her side. As a family they enjoy any and all outdoor activities. In the summers you will find them at the lake, tubing and wakeboarding, at the park riding bike, camping and of course golfing! In the winter they enjoy sledding, snowboarding and ice skating.

Dondra Elie

Dondra is certified through AFAA and has been teaching many forms of group exercise for 33 years. She has a major from WMU in Communications with a minor in Dance.  She is a graduate of Irene's Myomassology Institute and has an Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology.  While she has many skills that she enjoys, group fitness is her favorite and she enjoys getting to know the participants and guarantees a challenging cardio workout and stronger core by the end of each session!

Marci Berlin

Water Aerobics & Group Fitness instructor. Marci has been involved in the Health and Wellness Industry for over 40 years! She has worked in a variety of different environments, from Community Rec Centers, Health and Fitness Clubs to Personal Training. AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor and AEA Certified Water Aerobics Instructor. Licensed Zumba, Zumba Gold and an Aqua Zumba Instructor.

Lola Faelix

Lola is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Certified Personal Trainer.  Specialty certifications include: Senior Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Senior Fitness Consultant, and Primal Exercise consultant. Owner of Get Fit, LLC and specializes with one on one or small group exercise.  When not teaching fitness and nutrition, she cycles competitively on road and gravel, enjoys the outdoors year-round, and loves to keep moving! A passion for good health and fitness is what guides her and she loves to share that passion with her clients.  

Han Hoong Wang

Han has more than 30 years teaching experience in Tai Chi and Wushu.  She is certified by the Chinese Department of Education and has studied extensively in China and the U.S. under Grandmasters for the Yang and Chen families.  Han is a certified Senior Instructor in traditional Yan Style Tai Chi. She was honored to be selected as a disciple of Grandmaster Yan Zhen Duo, 4th generation of the Yang family.  Join Han in our Tai Chi program to enhance balance, strengthen body & mind, all while relieving stress and tension

Karen Lutz

Karen spent several years as a CAM therapist for the St. John Providence Health System, and specializes in gentle and chair yoga for those who are either limited in mobility, reluctant to get onto a mat, or are recovering from an injury or illness. She is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance and Yoga Ed. and is a member of Yoga Association of Greater Detroit. Karen is grateful to have the opportunity to share the practice offering her students the ability to open doors to a more gratifying life through yoga. Yoga allows us to be who we are, without judgment or expectation. “Yoga is the practice of tolerating the consequences of being yourself.” Bhagavad Gita.

Lea Madjoff

Lea is a compassionate and hardworking fitness professional with a passion in mind/body formats. A certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor since 2009, Yogafit Instructor 2023 and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Toledo. Lea strives to support clients in achieving their best self through safe, effective, and fun exercise programming. When not teaching classes, Lea enjoys keeping active with her family, caring for her garden, indoor plants and fur babies.

Donna Tomassi

Donna has been an Ace certified Group Fitness Professional since 2007. She teaches all formats of group fitness and is licensed in Zumba, and most recently, Bokwa. Donna is a Michigan Master Trainer for LaBlast and Fitness format created by Louis VanAmftel, Dancing With The Stars. She also holds her RYT-200 Yoga Teaching certification. In addition to group fitness and personal training, she has been a dance instructor for 20+ years and now choreographs local musical productions. She is honored to be on the BTSS faculty as well as the owner of Studio 8 Fitness in Waterford. Please join Donna in her Chair Yoga, Barre Balance and LaBlast Dance Fitness classes.

Amy Kane

A seasoned Pilates expert with more than 4 decades of experience in movement arts. Founder of Sandhill Pilates and a classical PMA-certified Pilates instructor, who harmonizes grace with strength in her fitness methodology. Amy has a degree in dance from Butler University, ballet and expression. Amy has completed 2 out of 3 modules in scolio-Pilates, an inclusive practice, fostering healthier movement patterns and enhancing strength regardless of body type or fitness level. Amy has the unique ability to guide clients towards improved health and wellbeing.