The practice of teaching requires a dedication to meet each class
and student with an open mind and heart every day.
The FLSM teaching staff offers students the opportunity to work with talented bodyworkers,
many of whom possess 15-20 years of professional experience in their field. Along with the
teaching staff, practically all members of the administrative staff are also licensed
bodyworkers.
DIRECTORS
Beth Tetreault Morse, LMT
Campus Director
Beth is a 1996 graduate of FLSM and joined the FLSM administrative staff in 1999 to manage the main office. After a hiatus, Beth returned to supervise FLSM’s clinic program and continue her magic as one of the office administrators. Currrently she is the Campus Director. Beth is a Certified Holistic Aromatherapist and maintains a private practice in Ithaca working with the elderly and clients with developmental disabilities.
Teaching Staff
Yumi Asakura, BA, LMT
Yumi has been studying, giving, and receiving Shiatsu since her childhood in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to her NYS Massage License, she holds a certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and an Aromatherapy Certification through the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. She maintains a massage and aromatherapy practice in downtown Ithaca. For many years, Yumi has also pursued theatrical arts, studying acting, dancing, singing, and mime. She has performed in Tokyo, London, and New York City.
Sue Bissell, BA, LMT
Sue brings 25 years of experience teaching elementary school in Kenya, South America and Ithaca to her teaching at FLSM. A graduate of FLSM, Sue is a Certified Aromatherapist and has also studied Shiatsu, craniosacral Therapy, Trager Approach® bodywork and Structural Integration. In Swedish Massage, KAM, Shiatsu, and many other classes, Sue seeks to communicate her respect and love of bodywork and integration. Her love of play is central to her work. Her areas of specialty are integrative bodywork and Trager Approach® bodywork.
Jennifer Cook, BS, LMT
Jennifer is a 1996 FLSM graduate and has been supervising clinic since 2002. In addition to her full time "day job" at Cornell, she maintains a part-time private bodywork practice. Jennifer is a certified Rosen Method practitioner and is endlessly fascinated by the stories that our bodies tell when touched. She is honored to be a witness to the process of discovery that occurs at FLSM, and is ever in awe of the body's ability to heal.
Jeannine d'Estries, MA, SLP, LMT
Jeannine is a graduate of FLSM and is part of the Anatomy & Physiology and Pathology teaching staff. Her background, based in the study of Speech Language Pathology, as well as being NYS Teacher Certified, has greatly benefitted her crossover into teaching science at FLSM. Outside of the school she blends old and new skills as an LMT at Rasa Spa and as a speech pathologist for home bound elders. Jeannine finds great value and much reward in providing therapeutic care in any form and making heart-felt connections with those around her.
Sue Dozoretz, BS , LMT
Sue has enjoyed practicing massage for more than 10 years. A graduate of FLSM, she has practiced massage in a variety of settings, including; a chiropractic office, a yoga and massage studio, and in private practice. In her classroom and in her practice, she strives to educate and empower her students and clients to be active participants in their learning and healing process. Sue teaches Swedish Massage and Connective Tissue Therapy. She believes that some of the keys to health and happiness are movement, play and massage.
Janna Edelman, BA, LMT
Janna is a graduate of FLSM and brings a background in Education and dance to her work in the classroom, where she teaches Connective Tissue Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy and Medical Massage. Outside of FLSM she has a private practice where she specializes in addressing chronic pain and injury rehabilitation. A life-long dancer, Janna performs with UNASOMA, a local modern dance company.
Bernadette Fiocca, LMT
Bernadette is a 1983 graduate of the Florida Institute of Natural Health and a 1995 graduate of the I.M. School of Healing Arts. Her advanced studies include The Trager Approach®, Continuum Movement®, craniosacral therapy, Integrated Energy Therapy, Reflexology, and Level 3 Reiki. She is continually exploring ways to integrate these many techniques and approaches, and enjoys uncovering the threads that unite them all. Bernadette teaches KAM, Energy Palpation, Shiatsu and several other classes. Her areas of specialty are integrative massage and energy-based healing. A student and performer of dance for many years, Bernadette loves all forms of movement.
Cindy Getchonis, BA, LMT
Cindy studied Holistic Health Theory and Philosophy in college, attended the Boulder School of Massage, and then pursued contiued study in movement-based bodywork. Swedish Massage and Body Mechanics are her main courses at FLSM. Client education, empowerment, and personal responsibility are issues that continue to intrigue her as both a therapist and an instructor. She is a Trager Approach Practitioner® and Certified Aston Patterner®. Cindy thinks humor is essential in the classroom. She combines bodywork and movement education in her private practice.
Sondra Hartmann, BFA, LMT
Sondra is a graduate of the Florida School of Massage and has been on the faculty at FLSM since it opened in 1994. She teaches Reflexology, Energy Palpation, and Sound & Healing in the full-time program and Elder Massage in the part-time program. What she absolutely loves about teaching is the deep level of connection that is possible from one human to another, particularly in the special learning environment at FLSM. In private practice for 17 years, Sondra currently offers the Arvigo techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage, and she is the massage therapist for Bridges, an assisted-living residence for elders. Her quote to live by: "The past is my teacher; the present, my creation, the future, my inspiration."
Rachel Hogancamp, BS, LMT
Rachel has been a long-time instructor at FLSM and currently teaches Medical Massage and classes in Business and Communication Skills. Her teaching focuses on combining massage, movement and ease. Rachel is also the owner of Bodyworks, an innovative massage therapy practice in Ithaca, and owner/manager of Rasa Spa at the Island Health and Fitness Center. In addition to her work as an LMT, she is an accomplished photographer.
Arjan Jennifer Makar, BA, LMT
Arjan is a graduate of FLSM. Her studies in anthropology have led her to understand the value of therapeutic touch particular to our culture. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher and a Doula (birthing assistant). At FLSM she teaches Pregnancy Massage, Medical Massage, Connective Tissue Therapy, and a number of other classes. What inspires her most in the classroom is seeing students take responsibility for their healing while learning to empower others to do the same. Arjan maintains a private practice in Ithaca.
Shelia Murray, AAS, LMT, CCA
Shelia has completed advanced training in the clinical use of essential oils, both here in the States and in Provence, France, and is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. She is the owner of Holistic Hands Therapeutic Massage & Aromatherapy in Cortland, NY. She also hosts and teaches healing retreats, workshops, and introductory courses in Therapeutic Uses of Essential Oils. She holds an Associate’s degree in Applied Science with fifteen years’ experience in the medical field. She loves to travel, spend time with her family, and breathe. At FLSM you will find her teaching in Swedish, Energy Palpation, Business classes, and Essential Oils.
Maria Saccuccimorano, BS, LMT
Maria graduated from Cornell University in 1986 with a BS in Human Development and from the Florida School of Massage in 1990. She balances her time between teaching (and learning) at FLSM, maturing her private practice, Fall Creek Therapeutic Massage, and raising her family of husband, children, and dogs. She can be found teaching Swedish and Connective Tissue Therapy in both the full- and part-time programs. Iin her massage and teaching work, and in life, Maria strives to find that which is authentic, liberating, and joyful.
Hallie Sawyers, BA, LMT
Hallie teaches Energy Palpation, Hydrotherapy, and Essential Oils for Massage Therapists, which introduces students to the therapeutic applications of aromatherapy. . She is Nationally Certified and has advanced clinical training in holistic aromatherapy. Hallie is also a master instructor of Integrated Energy Therapy, an internationally trained traditional Usui Reiki master teacher, certified in European Stone Massage, the educational outreach chair for the Labyrinth Society, and an approved continuing education provider for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She is the owner of Soul Song, a bodywork and energywork practice offering classes, lectures, and client care in Rochester, NY and beyond.
Tammi Sweet, MS, LMT
Tammi holds a Masters in Neurobiology and Endocrinology, and certification from the Atlanta School of Massage. She has completed a teacher training course in yoga, and has taught Anatomy & Physiology at the university and community college levels. She is currently studying herbology. Tammi loves integrating the wisdom of the body with all aspects of living and possesses an ever-growing fascination with understanding who we are in relation to the planet as a whole. In her private massage practice, she specializes in various energy techniques, including craniosacral therapy.
Julia Thompson, LMT
Julia is a 2000 graduate of FLSM and joined the staff shortly afterward. She is the Clinic Coordinator and one of the clinic supervisors. She loves working one on one in that clinic group setting as students are fine tuning their massage skills. Julia teaches Pregnancy Massage, Massage and Cancer, Connective Tissue Therapy, Neuro-Muscular Therapy, Elder Massage, Chair Massage, and Sports Massage. She continues to love what her private practice brings her way, from working with women through their childbearing months, to working with athletes and elders.
Linda van Almelo, LMT
Linda is a graduate of FLSM and maintains a private massage practice in Freeville, NY. She enjoys long-distance running, participating in triathlons, and bringing her experience as an athlete and massage therapist to her job teaching. She teaches Kinesiology, Sports Massage, and Medical Massage, and supervises post-event massage opportunities for students at FLSM. She feels her background as a fiber artist blends beautifully with her work as a massage therapist and teacher.
Administrative Staff
Leia Alston, BA, LMT
Admissions Representative
Leia joined FLSM in 2007 as an Admissions Representative. She was led to the school by her strong desire to immerse herself in a place that supports health, healing, and learning. She has degrees in English Literature and Mass Communications. She is committed to helping potential students fulfill their dreams of becoming Licensed Massage Therapists. She loves seeing students come full circle, from the first phone call to the first day of class.
Kat Patton, AAS, LMT
Clinic Coordinator
Kat graduated from FLSM in June of 2007, and feels very blessed to be supporting others as they journey toward this beautiful work. She practices locally at Holistic Hands and Gentle Earth Retreat with a focus on energy-based holistic healing. If you look carefully, you may also find her around town singing back-up vocals with The Katherine Aelias Band.
Cheryl Santos, BA
Registrar
Cheryl brings expertise in organization and office administration to her work as Registrar, where she is responsible for tracking overall student academic progress throughout the program. She has a degree in Sociology from Ithaca College and extensive background in business administration. Prior to working at FLSM, she co-owned and managed a telecommunications consulting firm for thirteen years.
Dyian Steele, BS, MS, LMT
Financial Aid
Dyian is a former history teacher who holds a BS in History and Secondary Education and an MS in Educational Studies. She was drawn to be the Registrar at FLSM because of the school's commitment to providing excellence in education in an atmosphere of joy, curiosity, respect and discovery. Dyian is very interested in the continued exploration of exquisite care of the self and others through massage. She is excited to help students as they begin, and continue to experience, their journey at FLSM. Her favorite things include reading, adventuring outdoors, and watching great movies.
Mishi is FLSM’s Retail Administrator and a Winter-Spring 2002 graduate of FLSM. She joined FLSM after more than 20 years in sales and procurement at Cornell University. Her massage experience includes spa services as well as patient care in the hospital setting. She is a certified Aromatherapist, enjoys deep tissue massage work, and maintains a private practice in Ithaca.
Dex White, LMT
Student and Career Services
Dex is a 1999 FLSM graduate, and has worked in the school’s main office and in the massage classroom. He is now the Director of Student and Career Services, and teaches Connective Tissue Therapy in the Part-Time Program. He loves to see the unfolding growth of students in their time here. Dex has worked in several spas including his current position at Rasa Spa here in Ithaca. He loves his family and pets, music, gardening and lots of laughter!
