Mckennah Kaplan grew up in Yorba Linda, California, and started dancing at 2. She was a competitive dancer for ten years before joining the Esperanza Varsity Dance team, where she won multiple national titles and was a captain her senior year. Then, she continued her education at Orange Coast College, where she was on their nationally ranked dance team, won 2 national college titles, and got her AA in Communication. She then finished her dance career on their nationally ranked dance team at San Diego State University and obtained her BS in healthcare communication.
She is getting her Master’s and Concordia University Irvine in Healthcare Administration while also coaching their spirit squad. She also coaches the Yorba Linda Middle School dance team and is an Aliso Niguel High School assistant song coach. Mckennah received her Classical Pilates teacher certification at Core Arts Pilates and is now a full-time instructor.
Tell Us About Yourself
My name is Mckennah, and I have been a student at Core Arts Pilates for over 12 years. I grew up a competitive dancer in Orange County, and Core Arts Pilates was always a fun and loving environment to cross-train with my dancing. I then decided to get my certification here, and now I am a Pilates instructor in the studio I grew up in. I graduated from San Diego State University in 2022, where I got my BS in Health Communication, and now I am working towards my Master’s in Healthcare Administration. I am currently coaching three dance teams and working as a certified Pilates instructor.
When did you first encounter Pilates?
I first started Pilates in 7th grade after my sister started coming to the studio with her high school team. I had also just had a terrible ankle injury, so starting Pilates helped my injury heal not only quicker but also helped keep the rest of my body strong for dance, and then I was hooked forever.
What inspired you to become a Pilates instructor?
Many reasons inspired me to be an instructor, but one of my main reasons was to help young dancers learn that caring for their bodies is a good thing and that learning is essential. Having danced my whole life, I understand its strain on young dancers. So, being able to teach these dancers to take care of themselves was one of the driving forces that led me to become an instructor.
What has surprised you about being a Pilates apprentice?
What surprised me the most about being an apprentice was how much I enjoyed teaching various people. I love teaching young dancers who want to cross-train with Pilates, but I have also loved working with some of our older clients who come in every week ready to work on themselves and improve their everyday health. The most rewarding part of this program has been watching my clients grow alongside my teaching.