our team

Jada grew up as a dancing at the age of 4 and trained at a professional level for 10 years. While attending college atSacramento State, she was a member of the NBA Sacramento Kings dance team. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles to further pursue her career.  

She danced with the L.A. Lakers as well as work with some of the industry’s top choreographers.  This then created a life-long love affair with fitness and wellness of the body.  After years of training and incurring several repeated injuries, she made the decision to transition out of the dance world and into the fitness community….with the intention of one day opening her own studio.  

With her well-rounded background (Pilates, Yoga, Tabata, Strength and Conditioning) and years of experience, she is skilled at working with clients of varying fitness levels. Clients leave the studio feeling energized, and inspired.  4.5 years ago she created Elevate and we are so happy she did!  Her unique “Fusion Method” is both safe and effective and gives clients a full body workout in just under an hour.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask, instead what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what this world really needs are more people who have come alive.” ~ Howard Thurman

Liane Burns, Lead Instructor

Liane began her training in dance at the age of 4, studying ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. She received her BFA in Dance Performance in 2011 from Chapman University in Orange County, CA. After graduating, her curiosity and fascination for Israeli contemporary dance lead her on a year-long journey of living, studying, and dancing in Jerusalem, Israel.

Liane’s experiences in Israel ignited in her a newfound passion for art through movement. Since returning to the Bay Area, she has been dancing and creating work with many San Francisco based choreographers. After several significant injuries throughout her dance career, Liane became excited about cross training in other avenues of exercise to build a body that is stronger and more functional. Liane has been teaching classes with Elevate since 2014 has played an integral part in the Elevate community by coaching and training new talent for our instructor team! Liane’s classes are known to be dynamic, engaging and cardio-focused.

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” ~ Havelock Ellis

Kendra Cannoy, Independent Instructor

Kendra’s lifelong passion for dance evolved into fitness in the early 2000’s. After two seasons performing with the NBA’s Golden State Warrior Girls, she began working as the fitness trainer to the following season’s team of
dancers. She became a Certified Personal Trainer in 2001 and worked for various gyms before owning her personal training business in Newport Beach, CA.

Through her experiences with clients young and old she became more focused on injury rehab and prevention by strengthening and stretching key areas of the body. A hip flexor injury led her on her own journey of healing which ultimately resulted in her current business of educating clients about the anti-inflammatory diet. Utilizing a proven nutrition program, Kendra has helped hundreds of clients eliminate pain and symptoms of disease. Helping people become healthier through diet and exercise is incredibly rewarding to her and she brings this enthusiasm to her classes at Elevate.  Kendra’s classes are known to be challenging, fun and core focused.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”~ Lao Tzu

Carson Stein, Independent Instructor

Carson Stein has worked as a professional contemporary ballet dancer and teacher in the Bay Area for six years, and is very excited to be joining the Elevate team. She relocated from Wilmington, Delaware to San Francisco in 2009 to train at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance under the direction of
Summer Lee Rhatigan. Carson has worked with Bay Area companies Liss Fain Dance and Sharp & Fine, along with teaching students at the San Francisco Youth Ballet Academy. She is thrilled to bring her knowledge of fitness and healthy lifestyle to the Elevate community.  Carson’s classes are known to be well rounded, encouraging and alignment focused.

“Are arms start from the back because they were once wings” – Martha Graham.

Melissa Gordon-Wollin, Independent Instructor

Melissa has a lifelong passion for physical movement and study of the body.  She grew up taking ballet and performed almost every role in the Nutcracker.

As a NASM certified personal trainer with more than 4 years of experience designing and monitoring fitness programs she works with her clients to help them achieve their goals. She is a results oriented trainer with a passion for designing programs that improve fitness, increase stamina, improve mobility even at the smallest joint, and develop healthier lifestyles.

Pain in the way? Clients quickly get out of pain and increase their efficiency of movement through the application of a highly specialized neuromuscular performance enhancement program called Z Health. She brings her knowledge and passion to Elevate to meet clients where they are at and push them one step further.  Melissa’s classes are known to be focused, dynamic and fun.