Our Pilates Instructor Profiles

How much you benefit from the Pilates Method depends on your commitment and the quality of instruction you receive combined with your commitment to work on your body.

At the Authentic Pilates Studio in Lilyfield Sydney, we believe in maintaining integrity of the original work developed by Joseph Pilates. Our practitioners / instructors are certified by the N.Y. Pilates Method, Pilates INC, “Romana’s Pilates” and / or “Authentic Pilates Education International”.

To develop their teaching skills, all instructors continue to attend regular workshops as well as annual Continuing Education seminars to maintain their certification.

The Authentic Pilates Studio is also a Pilates Teacher Training Centre and as such we have apprentices available for discounted price sessions.

The APEI apprentice instructors have successfully completed and passed their Basic / Intermediate exams which qualifies them to teach beginner and basic level clients in a studio setting.

• Apprentice Instructor price  – $55 per private session

Our current certified trainers at Authentic Pilates Studio are:

OLGA TAMARA

Director – Authentic Pilates Studio
Founder and Principal Teacher Trainer – Authentic Pilates Education International
Certified – New York Pilates (Pilates inc) and Romana’s Pilates
Diploma – Professional Pilates Instruction 91491NSW
Cert 1V – TAE40110 / TAA40104
APEI – Principal Teacher Trainer / Educator
PAA – Level : Principal Trainer

Olga has been working in the health and body movement industry on and of for the past 40 years. She was a professional classical dancer with the Australian Ballet Company from 1971 to 1976, then certified as a personal trainer / fitness instructor in 1980. In 1986 she opened “Designing Moves” teaching body conditioning classes and managed the corporate gymnasium at Carlton United. She also taught movement classes to aspiring young actors as well as freelancing as dance coach at McDonald School of Performing Arts.

Olga trained in a number of Pilates studios over the years however it was
when she experienced classical Pilates that she really found the true essence of the Authentic Pilates Method as developed by Joseph Pilates more than 90 years ago. Impressed by the authenticity, quality and integrity of the Pilates Method of Body conditioning, Olga was motivated to study the method and became a certified instructor of “The New York Pilates Method” and “Romana’s Pilates”.

Olga is founder and principal trainer of “Authentic Pilates Education Australia” teacher training programme in the classical Pilates method and also manages her studio in Lilyfield NSW (Authentic Pilates Studio).

OTHER BACKGROUND: Olga spent her early years travelling the world as a classical dancer with The Australian Ballet Company. She danced on stage with greats such as Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev and danced in the Australian Ballet’s film production of “Don Quixote”.

She resigned from the Australian Ballet Company in 1976 to pursue an acting career performing on stage, film and many television series including Cop Shop, Holliday Island and Chopper Squad to name a few. Olga’s first acting role in the ABC series “Glenview High” won her and ABC TV “Penguin Award” for the Best New Talent 1978.

Olga joined the Australian Ballet Company as guest artist in the 2006 Sydney season of Giselle. Her performance as “Bertha” marked Olga’s first appearance with the company in 30years.
Olga continues to perform as guest artist with the Australian Ballet Company.

PADDY COARY

Paddy Coary first became involved in Pilates in 2009 when he was looking for a way to complement the weight and cardio training he was already doing for football.

After a short time Paddy was impressed with the effects Pilates was having on his body. “I felt the effects right from session number one and soon began to see the benefits on the field through improved strength, flexibility and coordination.”
After two years as a client Paddy decided he wanted to learn more about the Classical Pilates Method and he began his apprenticeship with Authentic Pilates Education International in 2012.
After over 600 hrs. of study and training, Paddy certified with APEA early 2014 and also holds his government accredited Diploma in professional Pilates instruction.
Paddy is committed to the Authentic Pilates method and continues his studies and continuing education workshops.

Certified  – Authentic Pilates Education International. (APEI) Teacher Training
Certified – Romana’s Pilates
Diploma – Professional Pilates Instruction (91491NSW).

JESSICA TSUI

Jessica first discovered Authentic Pilates in 2014 when she was searching for something to improve her overall health and fitness, as well as her stress levels.

“This unique method of Pilates’ mental and physical conditioning process intrigued me and I couldn’t believe how quickly I fell in love with it and saw changes in my own body!”
Not long after, Jessica decided to take on the Authentic Pilates Education Australia apprenticeship full time; committed to make this new discovered passion her career.

In 2012 she graduated in a Bachelor of Health, and gained two years experience working in an IT company as an Instructional Designer and later as a Relationship Manager. After eighteen months of intensive training in the classical Pilates method, with over 1000 hours on study and training, Jessica was certified in Authentic Pilates Education with a government accredited Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction.

Jessica attends Continuing Pilates Education seminars and workshops to stay-up-to-date with industry standards and skills.

Graduated in a Batchelor of Health
Certified –  Authentic Pilates Education International  . (APEI) Teacher Training.
Diploma – Professional Pilates Instruction. Member of Pilates Alliance of Australia (PAA)
Member of Pilates Alliance of Australia (PAA).

MARINA MELKI

Before Marina decided to become a Pilates instructor she had been doing Pilates as her main form of fitness for over 6 years.

She continued doing Pilates  all the way through her pregnancy. Keeping up her  training until the week before the birth of her son.
Marina became very passionate about the system during this time and decided to undertake the APEI Teacher Training Course once her son began pre school.

“I am so driven by the work of Joseph Pilates and want to work closely with others to share the shear joy of movement and the discipline of the work in their bodies and what they can achieve

“I was and continue to be mentored by my teacher trainer Olga Tamara and love working at Authentic Pilates Studio. In Sydney “

Certified – Authentic Pilates Education International . (APEI) Teacher Training.
Diploma – Polestar Pilates Studio and Rehabilitation Method (10521NAT)

MISSII BEXON

Missii began exploring Pilates in 2015 after many years of boot camps and weights, her body was fatigued and crying for a something but she didn’t know what… “after my first Pilates session my body scream “YES THIS IS IT!” I found Olga at Authentic Pilates and I knew instantly I wanted to learn everything I could and teach it!”.
“As a pole dancing instructor for now 14yrs,” Missii said, ” Pilates immediately changed the way I taught pole and how I danced and took me to different levels!”

Now as a Pilates instructor Missii loves seeing students become more aware of their bodies and the confidence that builds including what their bodies are capable of.

“Fun fact the teaser was my nemesis for the longest time!! I just couldn’t get it.my fav exercise is the Spine stretch forward!! Heaven”.

Certified Authentic Pilates Education International. (APEI) Teacher Training.

AMY PETTINGER

Amy began taking Pilates classes in 2014 to address the frequent injuries she was experiencing from running. Taking 3-4 sessions a week at Exhale Pilates London. Her issues quickly resolved and she was impressed be the newfound strength she had gained. It wasn’t long before she became hooked on the classical Pilates Method.

“In 2018, I returned to Australia and began my apprenticeship under the guidance of Olga Tamara, Principal educator at Authentic Pilates Education International (APEI).” After 2 years, and more than 800 hours of training, Amy completed the program to become a fully certified classical Pilates Instructor.

In 2021, Amy gave birth to a baby girl and has again relied on Pilates to help her body recover and rebuild strength. Amy’s body bounced back with a few weeks! And is now back teaching at the Authentic Pilates Studio.

Certified Authentic Pilates Education International (APEI) Teacher Training.

NOOR HOWARD

Health and wellness have always been Noor’s passion. Noor started as a registered nurse, working in a multidisciplinary surgical unit. She then pursued her interest in the preventative field: specialising in Occupational Health & Environmental Nursing and Ergonomics. She obtained her Masters in Health Management in 2017.

Noor found Pilates in 2020 after researching movement and sports activities to manage her chronic backache and fell in love with the art and science of Contrology. She could see and feel the changes in her body and decided to dive deep into the classical method comprehensive course as part of self-development and personal growth.

With her experience, knowledge and practice, Noor hopes to bring meaningful change in people’s lives.

Completed Master in Health Management
Completed Bachelor of Nursing
Qualified Occupational Health Nursing
Certified Authentic Pilates Education International (APEI) Teacher Training

NELL OCONNOR

Nell is a qualified Social Worker, with over 10 years of frontline experience. She found Pilates early on in her career as a form of self-care, and as a tool to assist with her management of her endometriosis.

Nell moved to New York City, completing her Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training under Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates (2018). Her training at Real Pilates involved 600+ hours of practical and theoretical learning and examination, resulting in her becoming a third-generation instructor.

On her return to Australia Nell continued her Social Work career and opened her home Pilates studio. She also worked in a number of Sydney studios, before welcoming her son in 2021.

Certified Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher Training -Alycea Ungaro, Real Pilates NYC USA – 2018.