Soma Staff | studio-soma

Our Teachers

Owner of Stusio Soma

Thalia has taught Pilates and injury prevention programs to the broadway cast of “Wicked”, “Chicago”, Guys and Dolls”, “Lion King”, “River Dance”, “Alvin Alley”, “Complexions”, “Jocffrey Ballet”, “Dance Theatre of Harlem” and “Hubbard Street Dance”. She has also taught Pilates courses at UCLA and Physical Therapy Departments across Los Angeles. Her expertise has been called upon by Academy Award and Grammy Award winning professional actors and Grammy Award winning singers. Recently, Thalia was commissioned to train the Physical Therapists of Cedar Sinai and USC on dance injuries for their dance medicine program.

Eric Hopkins

East Coast Traditional Pilates
Certified Pilates Instructor and Certified Massage Therapist

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Eric was first introduced to Pilates in high school as a rehabilitation method for treating his knee injury. Eric was so impressed with the Pilates Method that he decided to become an instructor and received his certification in 1998 from the official East Coast Certification program lead by Romana Kryanowska. Eric’s 12 years experience as a Pilates Instructor and dancer was called upon by the Pilates Studio of Los Angeles where he was the head of Pilates education and teacher training. Eric specializes in pre- and post- surgery rehabilitation and is committed to helping clients on their journey back to health. To book a private or semi-private Pilates session with Eric, call Soma for an appointment. To book a private Pilates session with Eric, call (310) 289-9043.

Denise White

East Coast Traditional Pilates
Certified Pilates Instructor

Dancer and fitness professional Denise White, has been teaching as a Certified Pilates for over 9 years. Denise makes sure the client grasps a strong foundation Pilates so they succeed in reaching their overall fitness goals. Her classical training and commitment to the pure Pilates method has given her the experience needed to develop rehab programs for people with injuries and also challenging the most healthy and elite dancer and athlete.

“Every body that passes through my hands is different therefore every session I teach is different. I am dedicated to providing my clients with what they need whether it is strength, pain relief or just a great workout! No matter what, the client is guaranteed satisfaction.”

Jessica Schatz

East Coast Traditional Pilates
Certified Pilates Instructor and Certified Massage Therapist

Jessica first began studying Pilates 20 years ago as part of her rigorous dance curriculum. After a successful dance career in San Francisco, she came to Los Angeles and began the pursuit of Pilates instruction as part of furthering her knowledge of injury rehabilitation.

Jessica’s expertise lies in her immeasurable knowledge and awareness of each unique human body, how it moves, and what it needs to be more efficient, stronger, and healthier. She takes pride in her ability to empower her clients to reach for those goals and ultimately see and feel a major difference in bodies and minds. She is fortunate to have studied intensively with Thalia Thomas and was certified in the Traditional East Coast style under the tutelage of Dana Santi; a protégé of Romana Kryanowska.

Crystal Chin

East Coast Traditional Pilates
Certified Pilates Instructor

Crystal is a professional Latin Ballroom dancer born and raised in Los Angeles. She started her dance training as a young child with ballet and jazz. While ballet gave her a strong technical foundation, it wasn't until she discovered Latin Ballroom did she feel her true passion for dance could be expressed. Having trained extensively with World Champion Latin Ballroom Dancers, she has competed professionally all over the United States. Crystal has been teaching art and dance to children and adults for 12 years in the L.A. area. Graduating from USC with a degree in Fine Arts, she continues to perform in shows that include Burlesque and Contemporary mixed in with her Latin Ballroom style. Crystal is signed with Bloc Talent Agency and has been fortunate enough to have danced and worked with great talents such as JLo, Katy Perry, Dancing with the Stars, Hugh Laurie, Natasha Bedingfield, Michael Rooney and Travis Payne to name a few.

Minn Vo

Dancer/ Choreographer

Minn Vo is LA's premier dance competitor and one of the most versatile performers today. He has made his mark in television, commercials, film, and music videos. Inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2004, Minn covers all areas of Vernacular Jazz Dance. Styles covered are Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Air Steps, Collegiate Shag, among others. Minn has an extensive influence on the contemporary movement of urban street dance. Since 1997 his competition background encompasses a long history of 1st place titles in the local, national, and world competition circuit including the American Lindy Hop Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, U.S Open Lindy Division, Harlem Jazz Festival, California Balboa-Swing Championships, 2008 North American Lindy Hop Championship, and the 2008 World Swing Dance Championships. Minn is the founder of The Hollywood Hot Shots dance team, who specializes in the preservation and education of both Historical and Contemporary Urban American Street Dance. The Hollywood Hotshots was the big opening number for the 125th Tournament of Roses in Pasadena.

Stefanie Klausmann

Dancer/ Choreographer

Stefanie is a talented dancer from Germany whose professional training includes Hip Hop, House, Jazz, Funk, Contemporary, Ballet as well as Vernacular Jazz Dance areas such as Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Air Steps and Collegiate Shag. She is the creative director and Co-founder of 'The Hollywood Hotshots' dance team, who are specialist in the preservation and education of both Historical and Contemporary Urban American Street Dance. Her unique style has made her one of Hollywood’s go to professionals for performance and choreography. Stephanie's comprehensive skill set stems from her studies in Germany as a schoolteacher. Her tutelage was enjoyed by students ranging from ages 6 to 18, teaching subjects such as Physical Education, Home Economics, Musical Theatre and Dance.

Marvin Tunney

Modern Dance

Marvin was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He received his B.A. in English Literature from the University of Washington (Seattle) where he also studied Ethnomusicology, Ballet, Cunningham and the Joan Skinner “Releasing” Technique. He joined the Los Angeles Inner City Repertory Dance Company and performed the lead role of captain in Donald Mckayle’s “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder”. He is a former member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC. He is a member of the SAG-AFTRA for 33 years, and continues to have an extensive wealth of dance and theater experience from the concert stage to Broadway musical theater, nightclub acts, music videos, films and television. He was also the artistic collaborator and choreographer for the Princess Cruse Line’s production of “Mystique” on the maiden voyage of the Sun Princess. Marvin received his MFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts, and is presently a member of the CalArts Theater School Faculty, teaching movement for actors. He continues to mentor throughout Southern California in the CalArts Youth Community Arts Partnership Programs and is an active resident choreographer for many Southern California community theaters.