RESUME
sarah harding Traverso
Height: 5"7 | Eye Color: Brown | Hair Color: Brown
Sarah is a NPCP Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor, NCAA All-American Stanford Gymnast, 2x Winner of Ms. Fitness USA®, and former professional acrobat for Cirque du Soleil. Sarah's Pilates classes can help clients improve their health, coordination, and posture.
Education
05/08
Pilates Method Alliance National Certification Exam,Las Vegas, NV
Passed the PMA exam: the first industry-wide certification exam for the Pilates method in the US dedicated to keeping the spirit of Joe and Clara Pilates alive for future generations and to upholding the highest standards for the professional practice of the Pilates method both in the US and globally.
06/07-12/07
The Pilates Studio Las Vegas Teacher Certification, Las Vegas, NV
Completed a Pilates Teacher Certification for all Pilates Equipment taught by Master Trainer, Gracie Martinez, who taught Pilates for 10 years and has 25 years of teaching experience in Dance, Gyrotonic®, and Pilates for rehabilitation in a Physical Therapy setting. Coursework included: learning 350 exercises on all Pilates equipment including The Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector, Ladder barrel, and Ped-a-pul, the complete Matwork series, small props, and Pilates exercises appropriate for a clinical setting; 90 hrs of class and lecture; 60 hrs of studio observation; 225 hrs of student teaching, 75 hrs of personal practice hours; passing a written exam and practical exam as well as completing a case study. Learn More
9/96-6/01
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Master of Arts in Communication, Media Studies 6/01
Bachelor of Arts with honors in East Asian Studies, 6/00
--Focus on Chinese history and modern culture, including field research in Beijing, China
9/85-6/96
Punahou School, Honolulu, HI
High School Diploma 6/96
WORK EXPERIENCE
05/06-Present
Founder and President Sarah Harding Fitness Inc., SF Bay Area, CA
Founded wellness business to help others prioritize their health. Serves as a NPCP Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor (formerly known as PMA Certified Pilates Instructor), Fitness and Gymnastics Choreographer, Motivational Speaker & Fitness Model. Also founded Asobi Sport™ Family Fitness: a Pilates inspired program for Parents that promotes babywearing and breastfeeding.
01/06-12/09
Co-President Stanford Alumni Club of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Leads 12 board members to increase alumni relations. Organize service events for 350 alumni/parents.
9/96-Present
Choreographer, Gymnastics and Jazz, CA and HI
Choreographs nationally ranked club & collegiate floor exercise routines. Mentors young gymnasts in their grace and expression on floor and beam. Creates and teaches original high-energy Ms Fitness acrobatic routines.
10/03-04/09
Cirque du Soleil Acrobat/Dancer, KÀ, Las Vegas, NV
Worked with 75 artists to define acrobatic vocabulary and create Cirque du Soleil’s greatest epic journey. Performed high-falls, acting, and stunt-work 2 shows a night, 5 nights a week at MGM Grand for 2,000 people/show.
1/03-8/03
The Little Mermaid, Disney Under The Sea Tokyo Disney Sea, Japan
Danced, Lip-synch English songs and Japanese dialogue; performed aerial work while playing the role of The Little Mermaid, "Ariel" in 15 minute live attraction.
8/02-11/02
Choreographer/Performer, SeaWorld Zombie Zelebration San Diego, CA
Designed and taught musical theater movement to cast of 30 actors/dancers. Polishes multiple specialty acts. Danced, tumbled, sung, and acted in 3 shows a night, 3 nights a week.
4/02-9/02
Company Line Captain, SeaWorld Mystique De La Mer, San Diego, CA
Assisted producer and choreographer in maintaining choreography for cast of 35. Dances, tumbles, performs web, Chinese poles, and hoop 5 times a night, 6 nights a week
9/99-6/00
Co-Captain, Varsity Women's Gymnastics Team, Stanford, CA
Designed and implemented motivational seminars and workshops. Directed original team-building events. Served as liaison and spokesperson between athletes and coaches. Led by example in both mental and physical training.
Training & Workshops
Gymnastics/Diving:
Trained artistic gymnastics for 18 years; 99-00 Co-Captain of Stanford Gymnastics
1999 First Team All American NCAA gymnast
Trained gymnastics w/ Beijing's professional gymnastics team for summers: '94 & '99
1996 State Champion and All American spring board diver
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Dance/Musical Theater:
Practiced Jazz Ballet for 7 years; Tap for 3 years; Hip Hop for 3 years; Modern for 1 year; Social Dance 1 year; Choreographed and performed in Stanford's hip hop/modern dance group: Jam Pac'd for 3 years; Played Cinderella in Cinderella; played Queen in Once Upon a Matress; Played Reno Sweeny in Anything Goes; Choreographed Oklahoma, The Boyfriend and Godspell
Special honors
2016 Inducted into Punahou School's Athletic Hall of Fame
2010 Founded Asobi Sport™ Family Fitness; NPCP Nationally Certified Pilates
Instructor (originally earned in 2008 and called PMA Pilates Method Alliance)
2006 Ms. Fitness USA Champion, 1st Runner-Up Ms. Fitness World
2004 Ms. Fitness USA Champion, three-time 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Fitness World
2003 Ms. Fitness International Champion, 7th Place and Top Scoring American in Fitness Woman European Hosted World Championship; 1st Runner-Up Ms.
Fitness USA, 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Fitness World
10/00 Speaker for Stanford's 1 billion dollar fundraising campaign launch
5/00 Recipient of Francisco Lopez feminist studies award and Robert M. Golden
Medal honor thesis award --Awarded to top 10% of theses in Stanford’s 2000
graduating class in the creative arts and humanities
Earned Pac-10 Conference Post Graduate Scholarship
First Team Pacific-10 Academic Honors; All American Academic Honors
7/99 Awarded Undergraduate Research Opportunities $2500 Grant
--Granted to research a self-designed project investigating the lives of Beijing
Chinese female gymnasts.
4/99 First Team All-American Gymnast on floor exercise; 9th place in NCAA
Championships.
Perfect 10.00 on floor exercise; Stanford University floor exercise school record holder
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