About
Our Vision & Story
The Somatic Center is a home to Cleveland’s choreographers, artists, and movement practitioners. We offers time, energy, and support for creating innovative work as well as technique and wellness classes. Space/time/focus on this type of work is key to healthy individuals and community. Somatic awareness through movement creates sanity and integrity within ourselves and the way we interact with each other. It teaches us to care for ourselves, each other and our world. TSC is a sacred space where new ideas, experiences, and practices evolve.
Dance Bio
Sarah Holmes Villanueva has been teaching dance and performing for almost twenty years in NYC, Vermont, Florida, and Cleveland. While being an educator she also choreographs and produces. She has had the opportunity to show her work at The Somatic Center, The Florida Dance Festival, Abrons Arts Center, Dixon Place, Spoke the Hub, The Wild Project, The 92nd Street Y, Dancespace, Merce Cunningham Studios, Dance New Amsterdam, Galapagos Art Space, Green Space, The Tank, and Triskelion Arts. She completed her Masters in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, in 2010. Recently Sarah has performed at Pandemonium at CPT in Emily Jeffries’ choreography. Sarah is currently choreographing a work that involves the woods, metal structures, interplanetary communication, and pop culture. Sarah is very interested in community outreach and finding ways to connect more people through dance. She is deeply influenced by music, visual art, and nature!
Pilates Bio
Sarah Holmes Villanueva has been teaching Pilates for the past fifteen years and is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Instructor. She received her certification on all Pilates apparatus as well as mat, from Half Moon Pilates (currently The Lab) in Brooklyn, NY. She also received Continuing Education with Teri Steele in NYC and Lizbeth Garcia in San Diego. She is certified in TRX, Barre Above, and Trigger Point Therapy. She has studied various somatic practices such as Body-Mind Centering, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, and Yoga. Sarah works with each client and classes' needs to balance an invigorating workout with proper alignment, as well as, release of pain and tension. She loves working with students of all levels and has expertise in helping them recover from various injuries. She worked for over 10 years at one of New York City's most reputable physical therapy centers, Physio Logic as a Senior Instructor.
Sarah recently completed Alexandra Beller’s "Anatomy of Choice" course in Laban/Bartenieff. Sarah is also passionate about helping Moms maintain their strength with Pre and Post Natal workouts that are safe and empowering!
Our Instructors
AMY
VICTORIA
VICTORIA
Amy Larson began her dance training at a young age in Madison, WI, later studying dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
After graduation she moved to New York City where she worked as a freelance modern dancer and Pilates instructor for seven years. Outside of New York she has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and t
Amy Larson began her dance training at a young age in Madison, WI, later studying dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
After graduation she moved to New York City where she worked as a freelance modern dancer and Pilates instructor for seven years. Outside of New York she has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and throughout the midwest with the Chicago-based RE|dance group.
Amy completed her Comprehensive Pilates Certification under the mentorship of Lesley Powell through Balanced Body and has now been teaching Pilates for 8 years.
Amy recently relocated to Oberlin, OH and is thrilled to be working as an apprentice with the Cleveland-based Inlet Dance Theatre and teaching Pilates throughout Cleveland and Oberlin.
VICTORIA
VICTORIA
VICTORIA
Victoria is originally from the Cleveland area, and has recently moved back to Cleveland after living in NYC for 15 years. Growing up as a dancer, Victoria was first introduced to Pilates at the age of 16.
After moving to NYC to attend Fordham University, she continued her Pilates private training while also pursuing her professional danc
Victoria is originally from the Cleveland area, and has recently moved back to Cleveland after living in NYC for 15 years. Growing up as a dancer, Victoria was first introduced to Pilates at the age of 16.
After moving to NYC to attend Fordham University, she continued her Pilates private training while also pursuing her professional dance career. Victoria danced, taught and continued training in NYC until her move back to Cleveland.
Victoria has taught Barre and Pilates Mat at various gyms and studios throughout Cleveland, and has recently completed her 500hr, full apparatus, Pilates Certification.
Victoria is a true believer that movement not only heals you but challenges you and can take you somewhere incredible. It’s a lifelong practice that Victoria is grateful for having and so looking forward to sharing with others!