Board of Directors

Lara Foldvari
Founding President & Barre Nerd

Lara has been dancing for almost 55 years. At the age of four, she began her training in classical ballet at the Boston Ballet, then the New Haven Ballet. She is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer through ACE (American Council on Exercise), with additional certificates in yoga (RYT200), mat Pilates, senior & aqua fitness.
The need for a Barre Fitness Alliance and support for the industry came as Lara trained and was certified in multiple barre certifications, including those from Barre & Soul Academy, Physique 57 Barre Academy, The Dailey Method, Barre Intensity, BarreAmped, the International Ballet Barre Fitness Association, and The London Method, where Esther Fairfax, the daughter of Lotte Berk, gave Lara her stamp of approval.
Lara has been teaching barre fitness classes since 2009 (the first barre class to be offered in Cheshire, Connecticut) and holds barre classes at her private studio, The BOG (Barre On the Go), as well as livestream classes. The BOG also offers videos on demand. She loves being able to virtually guest teach for friends and colleagues around the world.

Andrea Lincoln
Director

Founder of Barre Studio and passionate advocate for vibrant living, Andrea brings career alchemy to life through her multidisciplinary approach to holistic wellness.
With a deep-rooted love for movement and nourishment, she’s a Master Teacher in the Authentic Barre method, trained in its original London lineage.
Andrea also holds credentials as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (CHN), allowing her to fuse fitness and nutrition into powerful, personalized wellness programs.
Her mission? To help people move better, feel stronger, and thrive longer.

Ellie Mann
Director & Lotte Berk Foundation liaison

London-based instructor personally trained by the legendary Lotte Berk, representing a direct lineage to the method’s origins and preserving its authentic foundations, since 1991. Latterly with the approval of Lotte's daughter, Esther Fairfax to keep sharing this work.
I discovered Lotte as a child! Seeing recognisably ballet related exercises. I started taking classes as a young mother and then spent a year with Lotte at her Manchester St Studio, before being certified to teach in my own Greenwich based studio in London, where 35 years later I'm still at the barre.
I teach privately both group and masterclasses - to those with some knowledge of barre. I'm very hands on, mm (inches) make a difference. I prefer to use a musical beat rather than BPM. Music was crucial to both Lotte and Esther. Lotte had to decide between music or dance so allowing moves to flow was part of our training. Feminist and sexuality were part of the raison d'etre, this work was the first to incorporate pelvic floor exercises as a regular part of class. Celebrate your body!
whilst we have moved on from some of the original ethos (body shape etc) anyone can benefit. We worked without props but I believe in some instances they are a genuine aide.
As I go further down the path of life I am aware there are fewer first generation Lotte Berk certified teachers out there. I was lucky to know and work with both Lotte and Esther and to share my knowledge of their work.
I have a broad and deep historical interest in dance and exercise particularly the European cultural and wellness roots.
I am delighted to work with this group of informed and aware practitioners.

Cindy Sites
Director & Grandmother of Barre™

Cindy Sites has been teaching barre since 1994, carrying forward the original lineage of the Lotte Berk technique with a level of precision, consistency, and respect for the method that has become increasingly rare.
In 2001, she opened her first studio in Greenwich, Connecticut. What followed was a steady and organic expansion—New Canaan, Westport, Rye, Palm Beach, and Delray—along with licensed studios in Scottsdale, Carmel, Charleston, and Bethesda. Yet, despite this growth, her work has remained grounded in a singular philosophy: that the method itself does not need to be reinvented.
While many have attempted to reinterpret or modernize barre, Cindy has long asked a simple question: Would you change yoga? Would you change Pilates? Then why would you change barre?
Her approach is rooted in classicism—defined by flow, meticulous attention to alignment, and a deep respect for the iconic exercises that have delivered results for decades.
That longevity is not accidental. Like yoga and Pilates, the method has endured because it works. Cindy has spent over three decades witnessing women build strength, agility, and resilience—often reaching their highest levels of fitness in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, without injury.
Her philosophy, Method for Life™, reflects this belief: that the body is capable of transformation at every stage, and that the pursuit of strength and vitality does not diminish with age—it evolves.
Over time, her teaching has shifted from directive to intuitive. What once may have been instruction has become dialogue—an almost unspoken exchange with the room, where her cues reflect not only what is seen, but what is felt. This evolution mirrors a deeper understanding: that true mastery is not about intensity alone, but about connection, awareness, and precision.
Now, as she enters a new chapter, Cindy’s focus is expanding beyond the classroom. Through The Barre Collective and her newest venture, Barre Exchange in Port Chester, New York, she is creating a space for collaboration, education, and the passing down of a method she has spent a lifetime refining. Her work increasingly centers on mentoring the next generation of instructors—ensuring that the integrity of the technique continues.
Affectionately—and now officially—known as the Grandmother of Barre, Cindy embodies a rare combination of experience, perspective, and continued evolution. Married for over four decades, a mother of two and a grandmother, she brings a lived understanding to her work that extends far beyond fitness.
While she teaches fewer classes than in years past, her commitment to the work remains unchanged. She has simply shifted her lens—from doing more, to sharing more.
Because of that, her voice carries something more than expertise.
It carries time.

Former Board Members

With appreciation, we recognize our Former Board Members for their leadership and contributions in helping shape the Barre Fitness Alliance. Their impact remains an important part of our ongoing mission.

Andrea Isabelle Lucas
Founding Vice President

Jennifer Maanavi
Founding Treasurer & Chairperson

Betsy Royster
Founding Secretary

Jill Dailey Founding Director

Stephanie Bradley Secretary & Chairperson

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board of the Barre Fitness Alliance is composed of respected leaders in barre and complementary disciplines that support it — including movement science, health, education, and wellness. These experienced professionals provide guidance on standards, ethics, and long-term industry integrity, ensuring that BFA initiatives reflect depth, collaboration, and evidence-informed practice.

Elisabeth Halfpap

Elisabeth began her barre fitness journey as an associate in Dance Education at the School of the Hartford Ballet. From that moment she knew this would become her life’s work. Trained in classical ballet, Elisabeth saw the future in barre training early on. She became a pioneer leading the Lotte Berk Method (LBM) in New York City, the Hamptons, and Los Angeles, attracting an eager audience looking to adopt a new fitness regimen. Following more than two decades growing the LBM business, Elisabeth became one of the founding partners at Exhale, where she developed the proprietary barre class as well as the cardio and yoga programs. With the barre industry’s growing admiration for the Exhale brand as the industry leader, Elisabeth co-created the Exhale Barre Teacher Training certification and Yoga Teacher Training programs and has trained hundreds of teachers. She also created a series of 12 barre videos and co-authored the Barre Fitness Book which has quickly become the industry’s revered bible. After helping to grow Exhale to more than 26 locations, the company was acquired by Hyatt, where Elisabeth was promoted to Senior Director of Mind Body Fitness at their Miraval properties.
Elisabeth has danced with the Mercer Ballet, Princeton Ballet, Hartford Ballet, and continues to perform as the “Dutch Mom” in Dances Patrelle The Yorkville Nutcracker. She is also an ABT certified ballet teacher in pre-primary through level 3.
With her sights set on leading her own classes and training curriculum, Elisabeth started CoreBarreFIt in 2019. She is a sought after authority and expert in the field, frequently appearing as an industry spokesperson on national media as well as an expert presenter at trade events. Elisabeth is excited to continue offering her unparalleled expertise to loyal fans through her own venture.

Fred DeVito

Fred grew up as an active participant in all sports and could always be found on the athletic field. Armed with a BS in Physical Education and Health, Fred embarked on a career teaching phys ed in public school and offering personal training & group fitness instruction at local health clubs. Shortly thereafter, he joined his wife and partner, Elisabeth, and the Lotte Berk Method (LBM) team, as the world’s first male barre teacher. Fred continued on this journey for nearly two decades with LBM which eventually led him, along with Elisabeth, to a new opportunity with Exhale, as one of the founding partners.
Fred co-created the Exhale Barre Teacher Training certification and has been instrumental in training hundreds of teachers. He has created a curriculum to certify a growing legion of barre fitness professionals around the world. He is a regularly featured fitness expert on the national scene where he has written for numerous journals, magazines and publications on topics ranging from Stress Management and Benefits of Movement, to Tips for Living a Longer & Healthier Life. Fred also co-created a series of 12 barre videos and co-authored the Barre Fitness Book, the industry’s go to manual, which provides 100 at-home barre exercises from the fundamentals to more complex moves with a focus on building strength and improving technique. Fred offers sessions in Thai stretch, a dynamic bodywork therapy based upon yoga and Ayurveda practices, receiving his certification from the world renowned Lotus Palm in Montreal. With his tremendous interest in music, Fred has created a side profession as an accomplished jazz double bass player and parlays this talent to inspire the incredible playlists used in all CoreBarreFit classes.