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Group Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers

Angie Cottrell

Certified Indoor Cycle Instructor

Dr. Angie Cottrell has been a certified indoor cycling instructor since 2016.  Angie began focusing on her health and fitness later in life after her parents and brothers were diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.  Angie loves her role as a cycling instructor – combining her love of great music and fitness together!  Angie is also the Director of Research and Institute Programs for the UMKC Missouri Institute for Defense & Energy (MIDE) and Adjunct Instructor in the UMKC School of Education.

Drew Hemeyer-Johnson

200YTT Yoga Instructor, Certified Strength Instructor, Certified Dance Fitness Instructor

Hi, I'm Drew! I've been teaching yoga for 8 years in lots of different settings with all kinds of people. I found yoga through my love of dance. I believe yoga should be fun, safe and accessible. I also teach strength and dance fitness. I love reading, knitting and my cats, Judy and Gertrude. I am currently pursuing a degree in art therapy. I believe everyone that comes in to my class is a unique soul worthy of love and care. 

Grace Kertz

Certified Dance Fitness & Strength Instructor
 Grace is a junior studying Business Administration Marketing and hopes to conduct advertising within the entertainment industry. She is passionate about holistic wellness and is a dance fitness instructor. Grace is loves leading classes that celebrate and individualize movement!

Heidi Overton

200YTT
 Heidi Overton has been practicing yoga since 1995. At 15, she was first drawn to yoga for its non-competitive nature to connect her body and mind but soon realized that yoga was healing her relationship with her body, and she overcame an eating disorder. A few years later, Heidi began training as a yoga teacher and taught her first yoga class in 2002. With nearly 3 decades of experience, she has an extensive background in Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Kundalini Yoga. Heidi believes yoga is yoga, and labels are not as important as the results of a regular heart-centered practice rooted in mindfulness. She is a certified Level One Kundalini Yoga teacher through the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) and is currently working toward Level Two certification. Heidi has also been a licensed massage therapist since 2002, massage therapy instructor since 2010, herbalist, and Reiki Master since 2005. She is currently a psychology student at UMKC and plans to earn her MA in Counseling with a focus on Somatic Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder. When she is off the yoga mat Heidi enjoys time with family, artistic projects, and spending time outside communing with nature.

Hillary Sametz

200YTT Yoga Instructor, Strength Instructor

Hillary has been practicing yoga since 2010, and teaching since 2018. She is a board-certified music therapist and works with children in psychiatric treatment. She loves her 3 big dogs, sunshine, functional movement, traveling, and reading, and is committed to social justice, equity, and equality.

Jason McDaniel

Certified Strength Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer

I have an adept and nimble training style that allows me to create personalized fitness plans for my clients. I work with people who want to improve their strength, increase muscle mass, or improve their aerobic and anaerobic conditioning in a sustainable method for the individual. 

Keerti Vittalam

Certified Pilates Instructor

Keerti Vittalam is a first-year student at UMKC's 6-year meed program, and teaches Pilates. She is a strong believer in "lifestyle medicine" and advocates for holistic wellness, believing that a healthy body nurtures a happy soul. Fun fact: Formerly dual certified in open water scuba diving via PADI & SSI (she's got to renew that license!), Keerti hopes to further her training to eventually become a rescue diver.

Laura Wittmer

Certified Pilates Instructor

Laura Wittmer is a dedicated Certified Pilates Instructor with over a decade of experience as both a student and teacher of Pilates. Her journey began as a student, where she discovered the profound benefits of Pilates and was inspired to share this practice with others. Laura holds certifications in Classical Pilates and is qualified to teach beginner, intermediate, and advanced level mat classes.

Laura is passionate about helping her students build not only physical strength and confidence but also a deeper mind/body connection. This holistic approach not only enhances their Pilates practice but also enriches their overall well-being and performance in other physical activities.

Prior to her career in Pilates, Laura excelled as a Financial Advisor, where she developed a keen understanding of discipline and goal-setting. Her background has contributed to her structured yet empathetic teaching style. Outside of Pilates, Laura is an avid runner and weightlifter, and she strongly believes in the complementary nature of Pilates to a diverse range of sports and exercise modalities.

Laura’s own transformative experience with Pilates ignited her commitment to the practice. She is dedicated to helping her students achieve their personal fitness goals while fostering a supportive and motivating environment.

Maggie Coomer

200YTT Yoga Instructor, Indoor Cycle Instructor

Maggie is a 200 YTT with a passion for helping others harness the transformative power of yoga. Join her for challenging asana practices that focus on self-exploration of body, breath, and spirit.

Nivriti Varanasi (Nivi)

Yoga Instructor
 Namaste! I'm Nivi, a student majoring in BLA & minoring in Chemistry. I love science, people, the arts, and everything in-between. I’ve practiced Indian Classical Dance for 10+ years, led several theatrical shows onstage, and practiced yoga for around two years. I hope to bring you classes that are fun, relaxing, and productive! Looking forward to meeting you. :)

Quinten Shanks

Certified Dance Fitness Instructor
 Quinten is a sophomore attaining a BS in Computer Science. He is passionate about expressing one's self through music. He has been taking Hip-Hop classes since he was 14 and wants to continue dancing while helping others get in shape. Quinten's Les Mills Dance class and his Hip-Hop class will allow people to be comfortable dancing in their own style.

Roni Norbury

Certified Strength Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer
 Roni is a dedicated personal trainer with a passion for helping individuals discover the transformative power of intentional movement. Her approach is rooted in the belief that true wellness starts with the small details—breathwork, mindful motion, and strengthening every part of the body.

With a NASM CPT + CNC certification and a deep appreciation for the art of movement, she guides clients to cultivate a harmonious relationship with their bodies. Whether you’re new to exercise or looking to deepen your practice, she focuses on creating a personalized experience that emphasizes the connection between breath, movement, and overall well-being.

From core stability and functional strength to flexibility and relaxation techniques, her goal is to empower you to move with confidence.

Join Roni on a journey where fitness is more than just a routine—it’s a path to a more balanced, vibrant you. Let’s embrace the beauty of mindful movement and transform your approach to wellness, one breath at a time.

Shreya Chalapalli

Certified Pilates Instructor

Hi! I'm Shreya, and I am a student at UMKC who is passionate about making mindfulness and wellness fun and accessible for everyone. When I'm not practicing Pilates or studying, I love to make art, travel, and read. I can't wait to meet you in class!

Tanna Engle

ACE Group Fitness Instructor, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach

I believe that fitness is fun! I work to make fitness and wellness programs that are dynamic and welcoming. I have a B.S. in Kinesiology and Health and an M.S. in Kinesiology. I hope to bolster each participant's belief in themselves and what their body can do.