Owner / Operator/Aerial/zumba...
Karen Taitano
Hi, I am Karen and I am a Zumba and Fitness fanatic!
I absolutely love teaching Zumba. It has truly changed my life. I grew up taking classes in my grandmother’s dance studio and I became a dance teacher at the young age of 12. I have been dancing and teaching ever since. I was in a professional dance company for many years where I specialized in jazz and tap dancing. I graduated from the University of Maryland with B.S. degrees in Physical Education and Dance and then later in Computer Science. During college, I was fortunate to be a member of the cheerleading squad at the University of Maryland. After college I got certified as a Personal Trainer and continued teaching group fitness and children’s dance classes. As soon as I attended my first Zumba class, I was immediately in love with the program. It was so much fun and I loved learning all of the Latin rhythms and dances. It wasn’t long before I got certified in Zumba and started teaching. I suddenly realized how much I missed dancing and how happy it made me. I am so thrilled to have my own Brickhouse Cardio Club so that I can keep dancing and share my passion for Zumba and Fitness with my students.
I live in Ellicott City where my husband and I raised four wonderful children. I am a Software Engineer by day and a Fitness Instructor by night. I look forward to going to Brickhouse every day. It is a place for friendship, fun, and fitness.
I am certified in Ballet, Zumba®, Zumba Toning®, Kick Boxing, Personal Training, Zumba Sentao®, Strong by Zumba®, Body Pump®, CXWORX ®, R.I.P.P.E.D ®, Zumba Step®, Yoga RYT-200, Aerial Yoga, Hip Hop Hustle, Turbo Kick
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Nicole Shires
Nicole has always had a passion for sports and performing. She grew up as a competitive cheerleader for 14 years and trained as a dancer and gymnast during this time. Nicole is a Maryland native with a passion for water sports and loves to spend her free time outdoors hiking, camping, and beaching. Most of all, she finds a great deal of joy in traveling, enjoys being immersed in new and different cultures, and is a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Nicole graduated from the University of Maryland Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation program with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She has been working as a physical therapist specializing in orthopedics and pelvic health for the past 4 years. She began training aerial acrobatics in 2021 and fell in love! Nicole quickly developed a passion for Aerial Yoga and loves to help our students reach their goals and potential for all things aerial!
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