About Tess

The Long Story:

Originally from New York State, Pattison holds an Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from Hollins University in collaboration with The Forsythe Company, The Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, and The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Exercise Physiology from State University of New York at Brockport, where she was awarded the Friar's Foundation Scholarship for Performing Artists, as well as a Post-Degree Certificate, magna cum laude, from Cuyahoga Community College, and an Ohio State Medical Board License in Massage Therapy. 

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A Pilates Method Alliance Certified Pilates Instructor, Pattison earned certifications in Pilates Mat from Powerhouse Pilates in Pennsylvania and a Mat and Apparatus Certification from DK Body Balancing/University of Nevada at Las Vegas, where she was instructed by founder Dolly Kelepecz. Pattison expands her Pilates knowledge through continuing education and has trained with Pilates Elder, Lolita San Miguel and Master Teachers, Elizabeth Larkam, Madeline Black and others. She combines her many years of teaching movement, her knowledge of anatomy and physiology and proper body alignment as a Licensed Massage Therapist with her artistry as a dancer. This multi-faceted background allows her to offer a unique and inspired take on Pilates training.

Pattison added Level I and II Reiki Practitioner Certificates (schooled by Reiki Master Terry Carine) and a Yoga Teacher Certification (with Anusara Inspired and Jivamukti Master Teacher Marni Task) to her credentials.

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Her professional dance credits include dancing in both the U.S.A. and Canada for American Dance Repertory Theatre, The Dance Construction Company, OMO Dance Company and others. Her choreography for Modern Dance, Musical Theatre and Opera has been presented in New York, New Jersey, Toronto, and Cleveland. She is one of the two co-founders (with Malgorzata Nowacka) of the critically acclaimed Chimera Project in Toronto, Ontario. In 1999 she joined [Cleveland Ballet] Dancing Wheels under the direction of Sabatino Verlezza, where she participated in the creation of, and danced many original roles, was on faculty, and was Tour Manager until 2003. As dance faculty she honed her skills teaching movement to a wide range of ages, levels and abilities, including adapting movement for students with physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities. From 2003-2012 she danced exclusively for Verlezza Dance of which she was also Assistant Artistic Director, and faculty member at The School of Verlezza Dance. 

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Pattison continues actively performing, choreographing, and researching dance. She has attended the Bill Evans workshop for teachers in 2009 and since 2010 she studies writing and movement (through the Laban Movement lens) for a week each summer with Claire Porter at Bearnstow on Parker Pond (created by Ruth Grauert).

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In Paris, France in 2016 and 2017, Pattison undertook an intense, month-long, private tutelage with Dimitrios Kraniotis (and Christine Kono) where the Pilates-based training and Dance Improvisation instruction is informed by the work of French dance luminary, Jerome Andrews.

 

Also in 2016, Pattison received a certification from the O'Donnell/Green Music and Dance Foundation  in New York as a certified teacher of the O'Donnell style of Modern Dance Technique aunder the instruction of Sabatino Verlezza, Barbara Allegra Verlezza, and Nancy Lushington (all former May O'Donnell Dance Company members). 

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In June 2017, Pattison was presented at The American University in Paris, France as part of The Arts In Society 12th Annual Conference. Her dance research paper The Muse As Subject Not Object is pending The Arts In Society  journal publication. 

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Pattison served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Cuyahoga Community College in August 2016 until December 2017 teaching Dance Appreciation, Fundamentals of Dance and Modern and Contemporary Techniques 1 and 2. 

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January 2018 The Inspired Body, under Pattison's direction, began new offerings from a home-base of Paris, France and in March 2020 launched its online community to provide Pilates-based classes and advocate life-style medicine, health, and wellness. 

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Pattison has been a Member of Fédération des Professionnels de la Méthode Pilates (FPMP) since 2020, and in 2021 she received her Certificat de Qualification Professionnelle Animateur de Loisir Sportif option Activités Gymniques d'Entretien et d'Expression (QCP ALS AGEE) ensuring she is a qualified and recognized Pilates professional in France as well as the United States. 

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A native English speaker, she also speaks French at the B-1 level and is pleased to instruct in either English or French or a combination to facilitate a cross-cultural learning experience.

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Her current special interests are Pelvic Floor Health supporting Peri/Menopausal Women through movement and Lifestyle as Medicine. Well educated in the Perimenopause to Menopause transition, she became a Certified Menopause Coach in 2024.