Jennifer Ruggiero began dancing at age 7, at Westchester Ballet Center under the direction of Rose-Marie Menes. As a young child she performed in The Dance Theatre in Westchester’s annual production of The Nutcracker and continued to do so until her early 20’s. She went on to study at SUNY Purchase, receiving a BFA in dance performance. She began her Pilates training in 1995 while at SUNY Purchase. Recovering from a foot injury, she was introduced to The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning to help aid in rehabilitation. After graduation, while dancing in NYC she received her certification in teaching The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning from The Pilates Studio under the direction of Romana Kryzanowska, Sari Pace and Bob Leikens in April of 2000. She has taught Pilates at Drago’s Gym, The Pilates Studio, Equinox, New York Health and Racquet, Casa Day Spa, and re:AB Pilates where she was the Program Director and principle instructor. Jennifer has been a faculty member at Peridance since 2003. In addition to teaching Pilates, Jennifer has been a rehearsal director and dancer for The Dance Theatre in Westchester and a company member of DePersis and Dancers. In January of 2006 she opened The Pilates Movement, a Pilates studio on the Upper East Side.