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
Corinne Eisenman, MS, LMT
Campus Director
Corinne comes from a rich background in innovative educational settings. She has been a teacher and administrator for the past 15 years, including helping to found and lead Shackleton School, an expedition-based high school in Massachusetts. Her passion for experiential education has been shaped by her graduate degree in Environmental Education, her work with international youth in Canada, Germany, and Thailand, and her encounters with learners from ages 8 to 80 in a variety of settings. Corinne also has a strong background in curriculum development and in natural history. At FLSM, Corinne combines her love of adult education, holistic healing, systems thinking, and community-building. Her philosophy across these fields is the same— assume the best, ask questions, be curious, and look toward health.
Beth Tetreault, LMT
Assistant Director
Beth is a 1996 graduate of FLSM and joined the FLSM administrative staff in 1999. Since 2003, Beth has also managed the clinical aspect of FLSM’s full-time certification programs. In the classroom, Beth oversees Senior Massage and assists in Hydrotherapy and Essential Oils. She currently practices massage and is a Certified Holistic Aromatherapist.
Teaching Staff
Yumi Asakura, BA, LMT
Yumi has been studying, giving, and receiving Shiatsu since her childhood in Japan. She studied Zen Shiatsu at Iokai (Master Masunaga’s Tokyo school), and at Shiatsu College in UK (post-graduate). She strives to learn from many teachers and loves sharing her experiences with students. She holds a New York State Massage License, National Certification, and an Aromatherapy Certification through the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. She maintains a massage and aromatherapy practice in Ithaca. 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 has over 25 years of experience teaching in Kenya, South America, Maine and Ithaca. A 1996 graduate of FLSM, she has studied bodywork informally since high school. She is a Certified Holistic Aromatherapist and Trager Approach Practitioner® and has also studied Shiatsu, Aston Patterning®, Structural Integration, Continuum®, and Cranial Sacral Therapy. In Swedish Massage, Pregnancy, Shiatsu, Kinesthetic Awareness through Movement, and other classes, Sue seeks to communicate her love of bodywork, play, and movement and to empower students to integrate new teachings into what they already know. Sue maintains a private practice in Ithaca.
Uriel Ezra Carpenter, LMT
Uriel comes to FLSM with a background in teaching science and self-awareness both in the wilderness and in classroom settings. He is a primary teacher in Anatomy & Physiology and occasionally makes a guest appearance in Kinesiology. An avid learner, he is continually inspired by others who are looking to improve their understanding of themselves and the world around them. He maintains an education-based private practice in Ithaca.
Jeannine d'Estries, MA, SLP, LMT
Jeannine is a graduate of FLSM and is thrilled to be a part of the Anatomy & Physiology team. Her background is in Speech Language Pathology, which she blends with massage in her private practice. Outside of school she is happily involved in music and theater.
Janna Edelman, BA, LMT
Janna’s extensive experience in education and dance inform her work as massage instructor. An FLSM alumna, she teaches in Neuromuscular Therapy, Connective Tissue Therapy, Energy Palpation, Kinesthetic Awareness through Movement, and Shiatsu. She balances her time between FLSM, private practice, and teaching bodywork in community settings to people of all ages. Janna feels continually inspired by the beautiful dynamic of teaching, learning and growth.
Bernadette Fiocca, LMT
Bernadette is a 1983 graduate of the Florida School of Massage and a 1995 graduate of the IM School of Healing Arts. Her advanced studies include Trager Approach®, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Continuum Movement®, Shiatsu, and Reflexology. She is continually exploring ways to integrate these many techniques and approaches; her passion is uncovering the threads that unite them all. A dancer for many years, she has a special interest in movement studies. Bernadette teaches Kinesthetic Awareness through Movement, Energy Palpation and Shiatsu. She has maintained an integrative, energy-based private practice in Ithaca since 1983.
Cindy Getchonis, BA, LMT
Cindy studied Holistic Health Theory and Philosophy in college, attended the Boulder School of Massage, and holds certifications in the movement-based bodywork of Trager Approach® and Aston Patterning®. Her main courses at FLSM are Swedish Massage and Body Mechanics. Issues of client education, empowerment, and personal responsibility intrigue her as an instructor and as a practitioner.
Sondra Hartmann, BFA, LMT
With a background in education and music studies, Sondra has an on-going interest in innovative styles of education. She teaches Reflexology and Energy Palpation and is currently taking a certification course in internal organ massage. She is a Certified Holistic Aromatherapist, and is a massage therapist for the Virginia Children’s Connection, a group that travels annually to India to provide plastic surgery for children with cleft palates. Sondra also enjoys her work at Ithaca’s Integrative Medicine Center, offering bodywork privately and in conjunction with acupuncturists, nutritionists and integrative doctors of Eastern and Western medicine.
Rachel Hogancamp, BS, LMT
Rachel has been practicing massage for over a decade and is the owner of Bodyworks, an innovative massage therapy practice in Ithaca. In Kinesiology and Medical Massage she focuses on combining massage, movement and ease in an atmosphere where humor is integral. Rachel is also an accomplished photographer.
Donna Holt, BA, LMT
Donna is a 1993 graduate of the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego and joined the FLSM staff in 1994. She has held a variety of administrative and teaching roles over the years and is currently assisting in Kinesiology. Her private practice, Discoveries, includes both massage therapy and astrological counseling services. Donna most loves creating the safe and reverent space in which individuals can explore and inhabit their full potential.
Arjan Jennifer Makar, BA, LMT
Arjan is a graduate of FLSM. Her studies in anthropology have led her to explore 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, Energy Palpation, 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 has maintained a private practice in Ithaca for 9 years.
Meredith Reilly, BS, LMT
Meredith is a graduate of FLSM and brings her background in biology study to the classroom. She is happy to be a part of the Anatomy and Physiology team and feels inspired by the classroom dynamic where every day is a discovery of how phenomenal and mysterious the mechanics of our bodies are. Meredith has studied and taught a hands-on nutrition curriculum, and loves her continual evolving massage practice at Bodyworks in Ithaca.
Cha Roberts, LMT
Cha is a graduate of FLSM with an avid interest in the healthy mind and body, and in the growth of spirit. Nutrition, detoxification and movement are areas of focus for her. She brings her gracious presence to a variety of classes, beginning with Swedish Massage, and enjoys communicating her love of bodywork to others. Cha is Nationally Certified in Holistic Aromatherapy and has extensive study in detoxification. Also a flight attendant for more than 30 years, Cha maintains a private practice in Ithaca focused on client comfort and wellbeing.
Hallie Sawyers, BA, LMT
Hallie teaches the Essential Oil and Hydrotherapy curriculum for Massage Therapists. She is Nationally Certified in Holistic Aromatherapy and Therapeutic Massage, a nationally and internationally trained Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Master Instructor of Integrated Energy Therapy, Educational Outreach Chair for the Labyrinth Society, and an approved CEU provider for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Hallie is also founder and president of Soul Song, offering training in a wide spectrum of complementary care alternatives as well as a premium line of handcrafted natural personal care products made with essential oils. Her deepest joy is teaching and the focal point of her mission lies in creating opportunities for personal transformation through alternative approaches to health and wellness.
Julia Thompson, LMT
Julia is a 2000 graduate of FLSM and joined the staff shortly afterward supervising clinics. Now, as our Clinic Coordinator she gets to work with students as they fine tune their massage skills while practicing on each other and on members of the community. Julia assists in the classroom for Connective Tissue Therapy and Neuro-Muscular Therapy. She also maintains a private practice in Ithaca and Trumansburg.
Tammi Sweet, MS, LMT
Tammi holds a Masters in Neurobiology and Endocrinology, completed her certification at the Atlanta School of Massage, has completed a teacher training course in yoga, and is currently studying herbology. She has taught Anatomy & Physiology at the university and community college levels as well as at FLSM. 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 deep tissue work as well as various energy techniques, including Cranial Sacral Therapy.
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 Sports Massage, Medical Massage, assisting in Kinesiology, and supervising 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
Admissions Representative
Leia is FLSM's Admissions Representative. She was led to FLSM 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. Leia is committed to helping potential students fulfill their dreams to become LMT's. She loves seeing students come full circle, from the first phone call to the first day of class.
Blair Brown
Part-Time Program Clinic Coordinator
Blair is a recent graduate of FLSM, now serving as the Part-Time Program Clinic Coordinator and Kinesiology instructor. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and is currently pursuing her master’s degree. Blair’s passion is the integration of massage therapy into mainstream health care. Her fields of interest include injury prevention and rehabilitation, and sports massage. Blair’s favorite things to do include singing, sports, and adventuring outdoors.
Sue Dozoretz, BS , LMT
Part-Time Program Manager
Sue is the Part-Time Program Manager and teaches Swedish Massage in the full-time program. Holding these roles at the school and maintaining her private practice allows her to weave together and express her background in communications and massage. She is a graduate of FLSM, holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College, and has completed the FLSM Teaching Apprenticeship program and an Aromatherapy Certification program. Witnessing the healing and learning process – in her clients, students, and colleagues – continues to inspire her life and work. Sue enjoys living, working, and raising a family in Ithaca.
Diane Gates
Admissions Representative
Diane joined FLSM as an Admissions Representative in 2007. She is a transplant from the corporate business world and most recently worked for a marketing information company. A near-fatal automobile accident immersed her in the world of healthcare and she developed a strong interest in wellness, which led her to FLSM. Diane enjoys and is committed to helping prospective students pursue a field of study that will allow them to grow individually and contribute to the well being of others.
Cheryl Malecek, BA
Office Administrator
Cheryl brings expertise in organization and office administration to her work managing FLSM’s Main Office and Library, as well as a variety of special projects. She has a degree in sociology from Ithaca College and an extensive background in business administration. Prior to working at FLSM, she co-owned and managed a telecommunications consulting firm for thirteen years.
Shelia Murray, AAS, LMT, CCA
Placement/Alumni Relations Coordinator
Shelia is a graduate of FLSM, and the Placement/ Alumni Relations Coordinator. She has completed advanced training in the clinical use of essential oils, both here in the States and in Provence, France. Shelia is the owner of Holistic Hands, a massage and aromatherapy practice 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.
Kat Patton, AAS, LMT
Part-Time Program Assistant
Kat graduated from FLSM in June of 2007, returned six months later to fill the position of Part-Time Program Assistant 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.
Dyian Steele, BS, MS
Registrar
Dyian is a former history teacher who holds a BS in history and education and an MS in Educational Studies. She was drawn to FLSM because of its 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 graduate of FLSM’s Winter-Spring 2002 program. 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 Holistic Aromatherapist, enjoys deep tissue massage work and maintains a private practice in Ithaca.
Dex White, LMT
Student Advisor
Dex is a 1999 FLSM graduate, has worked in the main office and is the Student Advisor, in addition to teaching Connective Tissue Therapy. He loves to see the unfolding and growth of students in the classroom. Dex has worked in several spas, including his current position at Rasa Spa here in Ithaca. He loves music , pets, gardening and lots of laughter.
