While studying as a young dancer in Massachusetts, Rachael had any early introduction to Pilates at what is now Studio Helix, and she continued her classical Pilates training under the tutelage of Sally Sevey Fitt during her undergraduate years in Utah. Her subsequent training has continued with countless classical and contemporary Pilates masters, practitioners, and organizations; this has led her to treat Pilates as a key foundation to all of her teaching. For the past ten years, she has been the co-owner and lead trainer of CORE Pilates Studio (previously Zen Body Works at the Pilates Spot) in Port Orange, Florida, and concurrently served as a Professor of Movement, Exercise, & Dance at Stetson University. She also has guest-resided and served on faculty at Seminole State College, Temple University, Alma College, Belhaven University, Bethune-Cookman University, Jacksonville University, Cal State - Chico, FloArts, College of Southern Idaho, University of Utah, the Atlantic Center for the Arts and various studios, workshops and conservatories teaching Body Conditioning, Somatic Practices, Kinesiology, Pilates, Yoga, Dance Technique, Improvisation, Contact/Counter-Balance, and Choreography.

For over fifteen years, she was co-founding Artistic Director of Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre/RAKR Dance, and for the past eleven consecutive years, Rachael has created dances on Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina. Rachael's choreographic repertoire includes over one hundred and twenty original works that have been presented extensively throughout the United States, as well as internationally at Sadler's Wells in London (England), TeaterØen in Copenhagen (Denmark), Teatro Lethes in Faro (Portugal), Flamenqueria in Seville (Spain), Maison pour la Danse in Quebec City (Canada), Studio Hydro Quebec at Monument National in Montreal (Canada) and in various venues on the island of Guadeloupe (French Caribbean).

Rachael is a recommended Adjudicator and Master Instructor for the American College Dance Association (ACDA) and has served on faculty for the United States International Ballet Competition. She is a published presenter of dance-related articles, papers and lectures and has been an Artist in Residence with Very Special Arts, the Marble House Project, the Great Friends Dance Festival and the US Park Service.

Rachael is an avid walker, runner, and hiker. She infuses lots of humor and energy into every aspect of her life, and uses her diverse wellness background, extensive dance training, and her ongoing somatic investigation to inform her teaching practice. She specializes in instructing group classes and in working one-on-one with clients that have specific sport-related interests (golf, tennis, soccer, dance, etc.) or who have replaced joints/bones, partial paralysis, MS, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, and various other injuries/limitations. She truly enjoys her work and the opportunity to help others achieve their personal wellness goals.  After many years of living on St. Simons Island and commuting elsewhere to work, she is thrilled to finally make SSI her full-time home and to share her passion with her community as the owner of ISLAND PILATES.