we can’t wait to meet you
Our Team
This team of instructors we’ve gathered is truly top notch. You are in incredible hands with their deft skills, confident leadership and heart-forward personalities.
Roxanne
Studio Owner, BodyBeat et al
Roxanne she/her
After over 13 years of instructing, Roxanne is thrilled to introduce you to the realization of her long-held dream of owning a studio. She has profound respect for and is humbly honored to have such a talented group of instructors agree to join as a collective bringing you quality classes that promise to foster your best self. The potential of this studio is great: we aim to be a welcoming and safe place for our community to connect and share life-affirming moments. This is needed now more than ever.
Roxanne will continue to bring you effective Zumba classes that are jam packed with energy, infused with heart and more than a little sweaty. From the start, she’s been passionate about promoting an environment that is about self-love, non-judgment, granting ourselves levity, and encouraging every single person regardless of their background and ability level. In support of your journey, she’ll continue to not push quick fix fad diets and products on you. Her personal goal: An all-around approach to help you get healthier, happier, more connected, and more active! She also is keen on supporting women through all their transitions in life, recognizing that there is strength and wisdom that comes from all that we uniquely experience.
Roxanne’s foundation is her family. She adores her husband, Ryan, her collegiate daughter, Charlotte and high schooler son, Hayden. She looks forward to welcoming you to Focus Forward Studio!
Allison
Pilates Groove, Zumba
Allison she/her
Born and raised in the countryside of Northern California, I’ve loved music, movement and dancing for as long as I can remember. My deep respect for Pilates began when I was postpartum with my firstborn and enrolled in Pilates for the first time. I realised how much the experience helped me to heal physically and emotionally. I was able to take my new baby with me to class, and could work at my own pace to regain the strength that I had lost through my difficult pregnancy. Pilates helped me to heal my body and return to my other movement activities, such as dance and barre fitness. Many years— and a couple pregnancies— later, I became a certified Pilates instructor to help others to build strength, gain balance and improve posture. I’ve also taught Zumba, HIIT and HILIT and will soon be certified in Barre. I’ve combined these experiences with my love for music, dance and fitness to create my own fusion-spin: I call my teaching style Pilates Groove.
Birgit
Reps + Sets
Birgit she/her
Birgit is a certified ACE Personal Trainer, VDOT Run Coach, The Ready State Advanced Mobility Coach, and TRX Instructor. She is a Master Thermalist Instructor specializing in breath work and contrast (sauna and cold plunge) therapy, as well as specialty training in balance for older adults, and performance athletic training and injury prevention. As a high school and collegiate athlete, she has always loved a physical challenge, and began teaching physical skills at 18 as a SCUBA instructor, and as teacher for ropes course facilitators. Birgit has an MA in education and pursued a more traditional career teaching and curriculum writing in the non-profit world. Personal health and fitness never took a back position, and as her passion grew in helping others achieve goals, personal training became the most rewarding fit. Birgit is a distance runner and has been a run-streaker, running at least one mile every day, since December of 2013. As a result, she is deeply committed to helping others get and stay healthy, be injury free, meet personal goals, and obtain the ability to do all the things that bring them joy. Birgit is now a wistful empty nester with two boys away for university, an adoring wife, and dog lover. She also loves skiing & snowshoeing, paddle boarding, cooking, and travel. She has worked on her travel photography with her husband on all seven continents!
Brittany
RhythmSculpt
Brittany
Brittany was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA, where her passion for fitness blossomed from an early age. Growing up, she thrived on the soccer field and cherished moments spent dancing with her mom in Jazzercise classes during elementary school. These experiences taught her that exercise can be both enjoyable and social.
After welcoming her son in 2006, Brittany felt the absence of that communal joy in fitness and quickly returned to a Jazzercise class. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she wanted to teach. For eight rewarding years, she held a Jazzercise certification, sharing her love for fitness and inspiring others to embrace health as a fun and positive journey.
Although she took a break from teaching in 2015, Brittany remained deeply engaged in the fitness community, attending Zumba classes multiple times a week and maintaining her own home workouts. Recently, she recognized a key element missing from her offerings: a focus on strength and resistance training combined with stretching.
Brittany is thrilled to introduce RhythmSculpt—a dynamic, music-driven class that blends strength training with stretching. She can’t wait for you to experience RhythmSculpt and she looks forward to helping you discover the joy of fitness in an exciting and supportive environment!
Brynn
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Brynn she/her
Born and raised in Sonoma County, Brynn grew up immersed in martial arts and competitive dance. Since then she has traveled the world; studying in Europe and most recently living in Thailand for two years. Currently a Muay Thai kickboxing fighter and coach, she is deeply passionate about the empowerment that comes through movement and exercise. Brynn has taught Zumba, kickboxing, women’s self-defense clinics, and currently hosts wellness retreats in Costa Rica consisting of Muay Thai boxing and yoga. Becoming a certified yoga instructor has been a culmination of all of her passions and is a dream come to life. She is excited to share the light that movement brings and can’t wait to help introduce and guide people of all backgrounds and levels on their yoga journeys.
Dana
Barre Sculpt
Dana she/her
With over 15 years of experience teaching in the fitness world, Dana is thrilled to join the Focus Forward team! Hailing from the vibrant streets of New York, Dana is a versatile instructor, also certified in Pilates, Rhythm Cycle, and Yoga. However, Barre holds a special place in her heart and her spine.
Dana’s classes are all about postural alignment and intentional movement, meticulously crafted to provide a balanced and thorough workout. You’ll leave her sessions feeling both challenged and triumphant. Add in Dana’s passion for amazing beats, wild themes, and her signature crazy pants, and you’re in for a truly memorable fitness experience.
Get ready to sweat, smile, and be transformed: body, mind, and soul!
Elana
Belly Dance
Elana
Elana Kerista is a passionate performer, dedicated instructor, and lifelong student of movement. With over 30+ years immersed in the Bellydance community, she brings depth, joy, and authenticity to every class. Formerly the co-owner and manager of Solstice Dance & Yoga Studio and the director/choreographer for Raks Rosa Dance Company and Troupe Azizam, Elana blends experience with heart to create an inclusive, empowering space for all dancers.
Emily
BodyBeat
Emily
Emily has always had a love of dance, as well as a passion for fitness. Originally from Santa Cruz, she has been a Santa Rosa resident for the past 14 years with her three kids and hard-working husband. In 2016 she started her journey into Kids’ Zumba and enjoyed teaching kiddos throughout Sonoma County schools, libraries, and studios. In the last few years, she ventured deeper into teaching adult Zumba which she found she loved just as much.
Emily has a passion for teaching anyone at any level; you do not have to be a professional dancer or have perfect rhythm to enjoy her class. Exercise can be fun, and dancing does not only have its physical benefits, but builds confidence and increases our mental and emotional wellness. Emily looks forward to sharing the love of dance fitness with this fabulous studio while continuing to build strength and community.
Fernanda
Pilates Mat
Fernanda she/her
Originally from Brazil, Fernanda Subercaseaux began her Pilates journey when she developed severe neck and back issues from her job as a dental hygienist. She received her Pilates certification at Tone in Santa Rosa where she taught both mat Pilates and equipment Pilates for many years. Fernanda also worked as a certified Zumba instructor and absolutely loved shaking “what her mama gave her” at Tone and Keysight. Although she no longer teaches Zumba, she still loves participating in fitness dance classes in addition to the joy she receives in helping others strengthen and heal their bodies through Pilates movement.
Gina
Body Beat
Gina she/her
Growing up in Santa Rosa, Gina loved dancing as long as she can remember. She’s done a little bit of everything – from dance teams, to cheerleading, to competitive Scottish & Irish dancing, to an international folk dance team in college where she had the privilege of traveling the world performing in festivals. Then came children and a career and dancing got put to the side, until after Gina’s 4th baby was born & she discovered Zumba. She immediately fell in love with the Latin flare, having lived in Argentina for a few years & then taught Zumba classes for 15 years all over Sonoma County. She is thrilled to now be joining the Focus Forward team with a high energy Body Beat workout class. Gina is ready to bring smiles & sparkles & share her passionate joy of dancing with you all.
Kameren
Zumba
Kameren she/her
Kameren has been a Zumba instructor for 3 years, starting during the pandemic and teaching outside in parking lots! She has been a lifelong dancer and loves all styles and types of music. In her Zumba classes you will hear contemporary reggaeton, dance/electronica, hip hop, urbano latino and pop. For Kameren, dance brings joy and is an important creative outlet. She loves to bring in new people who are looking for a way to increase fitness and may not have done Zumba yet. She also loves to snowboard, hike and paddle with her canoe club (when she can get back to visit Kona). Kameren is also a Nurse Practitioner and understands the importance of exercise to health and wellbeing. To make it sustainable, you must find exercise you love!
Lisa
Barre•mat•ology
Lisa she/her
Lisa has been involved in the fitness industry for the past 30 years and has always loved teaching and the energy created in the actual instruction of each class.
She has taught many different types of classes throughout the years, but by far her favorite is teaching Barre. Lisa considers core, posture and balance the foundation of a strong, healthy body and loves the concept of combining these things in a fitness format with dance elements.
She’s excited to bring you a fun and energetic class and hopes to see you at the Barre soon!
Meg
Yin Yoga, Sweat Circuit
Meg she/her
Meg is a Vinyasa instructor who emphasizes the importance of listening to your inner wisdom while growing a yoga practice as unique as you are. She has a background in infant care, and loves hiking and nature photography. In her classes, you can look forward to sound, hands-on assists (always optional) and adaptable instruction based on your needs.
Sasha
Barre Root
Sasha she/her
Sasha lives in Santa Rosa with her husband, two kids, three cats, and two dogs. Her fitness journey began in 2009 after the birth of her daughter, during her recovery from severe postpartum depression. It was in Roxanne and Tina’s Zumba classes that Sasha first discovered her love for fitness, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Over the years, Sasha has earned certifications in a wide variety of formats, including TRX, Cycle, Barre, Surfset, Zumba, and all WARRIOR formats. She’s especially proud to have previously held the title of “Master Trainer” for WARRIOR Rhythm and WARRIOR Strength—her two favorite formats to teach.
What Sasha loves most about group fitness is the sense of community and empowerment it creates. Fitness became a powerful tool in her healing process, helping her tap into both physical and emotional strength. Today, she’s passionate about helping others experience that same transformation through movement, connection, and fun in the group fitness setting!
Tina
Zumba
Tina she/her
Tina’s passion is getting people moving and smiling. She has been teaching Zumba in Santa Rosa for over 15 years and is convinced everyone can and should dance . She is a lifelong lover of music and although she has tried to play many instruments, connects with it best through dance .
Previously an outdoor educator and science teacher, Tina now runs her own website design business. She is thrilled to be part of the Focus Forward team with its commitment to connection and community.
