Meet Our Instructors
Mackenzie Bianco
Major: Psychology
Classes I teach: Barre, Paddleboard Yoga, & AppStrong
Hi, I'm Mackenzie! I'm excited to start my junior year at App State this year! Some hobbies of mine include spending time with friends, playing guitar, going hiking, cooking, and working out. I joined the group fitness team because of how much I have found personal growth in exercise, and I love helping others along their same journey. I have loved Barre and Yoga for years, so the opportunity to teach and do these classes with the community is something I look forward to each week.
Delaney DuBois
Major: Double Major in Marketing and Graphic Design
Classes I teach: Modern Dance & Cardio Dance
hi i'm from raleigh, north carolina and i am a sophomore at app state. i love to play soccer, do art, hand out with friends, go on hikes, and dance! i've been a part of the app state/boone community my whole life from having family in boone to soccer camps and soccer tournaments here. i have always thought of boone as an extension of my home.
Brianna Gilmore
Major: Finance & Banking and Risk Management & Insurance
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hi! My name is Brianna and I teach cycle here at urec! Teaching cycle is the one thing I love to do the most! In one of my classes you can expect music ranging all the way from taylor swift to mgk. When I am not teaching cycle you can find me hanging out with my friends, working out, or in the library! I have met some of my best friends through cycle and I love meeting new people, so come to one of my classes and say hi!
Olivia Dumont
Major: Elementary Education
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hi! My name is Olivia, I am a junior this year and I teach cycle here at urec. I love to motivate people to have fun and work out!
Lanie Stanley
Major: Nutrition/ Dietetics
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hi my name is Lanie! I teach cycle at urec. I’m a sophomore at app studying nutrition/dietetics and exercise science.
Lillian Wiener
Major: Elementary Education
Classes I teach: Cardio Dance
Hi! My name is Lillian. I am from Greensboro NC, and I am a junior elementary education major here at App State! I teach cardio dance classes here at urec!
Morgan Smith
Major: Elementary Education- Somatic Sustainability Minor
Classes I teach: Paddleboard Yoga & Slow Yoga
Hi! I’m Morgan, I’m from burlington, north carolina and I am so excited to yoga with you!
Abby Gulledge
Major: Arts and Visual Culture-Art Management - Nonprofit Organizations Minor
Classes I teach: Barre & Boone Booty Blast
Hi, I am from Winston-Salem, NC. I like to crochet, play video games, hangout with friends and I have a leadership role in the international relations association club here on campus. I love fitness and wellness, which was my main motivation to become a group fitness instructor so I can help others on their own fitness journys!
Jalyn Hall
Major: Exercise Science
Classes I teach: Flow Yoga
Hey! My name is Jalyn and i’m a senior here at app. I transferred from ecu with a major in exercise science. I'm very interested in astrology world religion, and mind/body relaxing techniques. I love to be surrounded by nature and friends. Along side teaching yoga, I also spend my time gardening. I hope to positively impact every person I meet and help inspire growth!
Jake Zaffuto
Major: Elementary Education
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hi, I'm Jake! When not cycling you can find me playing tennis, studying in the solarium, or spending time with my friends!
Luis
Major: Economics
Classes I teach: Kickboxing
Hey there, i'm Luis! With an 18-year journey in the world of taekwondo, mui thai, and boxing. I've honed my skills and earned a 4th-degree black belt, and reached black belt level in the rest! My passion lies in not only teaching you the art of kicking and punching but also in helping you unleash your inner strength. It's not just about the physical aspect – i'm dedicated to enhancing the well-being of your mind and body. Let's come together, have some fun, and embark on a journey to discover your hidden potential while kicking and punching our way to a healthier and stronger self!
Bailey Whiteford
Major: Apparel Design & Merchandising
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hey everyone! My name is Bailey and I teach Cycle for UREC. I have a passion for volleyball and also on the club Volleyball team at App State. In the winter I love skiing, I have a lot of family from Colorodo so skiing was one of the first things I learned as a kid. If I would travel anywhere, it would be Switzerland.
Macy Penland
Major: Student Affairs Administration
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hi friends! I'm Macy! I'm the fitness & wellness graduate assistant from Connelly Springs, North Carolina and am currently in the Student Affairs Administration program. I enjoy hiking, weight lifting, and playing card games! I love teaching and motivating participants to engage the mind and body in exercise!
James Gatlin
Major: Exercise Science- Nutrition & Pyschology Minor
Classes I teach: Flow Yoga
Hey i’m James! I’ve been teaching yoga since 2021 when I finished my 200hr ryt at y2 yoga in my hometown of Charlotte, NC. I love teaching fast moving power yoga classes and intentional flow yoga classes. My goal for every class is for you to leave your mat having learned something about yourself. Come and join me in power and flow yoga classes!
Kennedy Bueche
Major: Exercise Science
Classes I teach: Barre
Hi! My name is Kennedy and I am originally from Birmingham, MI. I did ballet, jazz, and tap dance for 10 years when I was younger, and then transitioned to volleyball, and played for two years on the club team here at app! I'm so excited to be able to teach barre, and get back in touch with my dancing roots!
Christian Canastuj
Major: Dance- Apparel Design & Merchandising Minor
Classes I teach: Twerk n Tone
Hey y'all! I'm Christian and I started teaching for urec fall of 2021. I started my fitness journey in college around the time I started teaching twerk n tone. Once I had something that gave me the courage to go to the gym I began to lift and be more consistent. I love making fitness accessible to more people and I have grown to love exercise so much more because of it. Fitness and wellness is subjective and once you find something that works for you and your body take it and run with it. I love to thrift, organize photoshoots, and I love going out on the town in search of new food spots.
Lilly Wood
Major: Exercise Science
Classes I teach: Boone Booty Blast & Cycle
Hi there! My name is Lilly, and I’m a junior majoring in exercise science. I became a group fitness instructor because I am passionate about making exercise fun. I got my group fitness instructor certification from the american council on exercise in april of 2023.
Lily Pope
Major: Apparel Design & Merchandising
Classes I teach: Cycle
Hi everyone! My name is Lily and I am a cycle instructor at urec. I am studying apparel design and merchandising, which takes up most of my free time when i’m not teaching cycle classes. I also enjoy reading and spending time outside! Being a group fitness instructor is probably one of the most rewarding experiences I have participated in since I started college, and I look forward to making my workout playlists and spending time with my class participants every single week! it is super important to me that my classes feel inclusive and fun for everyone, so feel free to give me song recommendations or class requests!
Kylie Bullin
Major: Special Education- Dance Minor
Classes I teach: Dance Fusion
Hi my name is Kylie. I have a dog named Molly that loves to go walking on the greenway. Some of my favorite things include baking and hanging out with friends. My friends and family are extremely important to me. Most of the time i’m either with them or working. This is my third semester with urec. I teach a group fitness class called dance fusion. I would love for you to join me at my classes. We like to have a lot of fun.
Marissa Bottelli
Major: Exercise Science- Nutrition Minor
Classes I teach: Absolution
Hey everyone! I'm from the Outer Banks here in North Carolina. I love the beach, staying active, and enjoying all kinds of adventures. I teach absolution here at urec because I fell in love with the urec community and meeting new fellow students while bringing forward a positive out look on health!
Sydney Brown
Major: Digital Media Marketing
Classes I teach: Intro to Cycle
Hi everyone! My name is Sydney and I teach intro to cycle classes for urec. I'm a senior here at app and i'm studying digital media marketing. I love to meet new people and make friends, and the group fitness community is the best place to do that! I also love going to concerts, traveling, playing with my dogs, and cooking. I hope to see you at one of our classes soon!
Lily Meekins
Major: Exercise Science
Classes I teach: Bootcamp & Cycle
Hi, I'm Lily! I'm from charlotte nc and I enjoy crossfit, hanging with friends, and being outside in nature.