Our Team

 Paula Taylor graduated with bachelor of science from University of Rhode Island with degree in Physical Education, 

Health and Recreation.

Paula worked at the Cranston YMCA as the Director of Health and Fitness for 13 years, where she shared her enthusiasm for fitness with thousands of Cranston Y members ... and maybe even you! As the Y's Fitness Director, Paula was committed to creating the best fitness environment possible while developing new programs based on trends in fitness. 

Her successes in both teaching and motivation at the YMCA have prepared her for opening Dragonfly Studio, where she continues to share her lifelong passion for 

health and fitness.

Paula's Certifications
Advanced Exercise Instructor & Trainer 

for the YMCA
AFAA Primary Group Certification

 Hi, I'm Michelle Calise and I love teaching Zumba classes! The reason is simple: Every class feels like a party! Come join me and you'll see what I mean. You don't even have to know how to dance. Just move your body and follow my lead. It's easy! Come try it, I guarantee you will have a blast! I look forward to meeting you!

I am licensed to teach Basic Zumba 1, 2, and Senatao-Chair Zumba. I attended the 2013 Zumba convention in FLorida, and hosted a Zumbathon in October 2013 for American Cancer Society. We raised $2000 for Making Strides Event -TEAM BECKY. I am CPR certified, and also a registered Nurse, BSN from Rhode Island College.

I truly love Zumba because everyone can do it. I have had the privilege of meeting people who teach Zumba in wheelchairs, truly amazing. Nothing stops or limits them. With Zumba, where there is a will there is a way! Zumba has changed my life in many ways. I get to encourage others to feel the music like I do, move their bodies, and have a great time getting in shape. Zumba truly changes lives.

Photo: Michelle with Corina, her inspiration:
"Here I am with the lady who inspired me to get my ass in gear to teach. Her name is Corina! Corina is the best teacher; I love her!
She gave me the courage to teach!"

Susan has been a fitness instructor for 20+ years. Susan is certified with NAFC.
She specializes in Group Fitness, interval training combining cardio, resistant training and core. She is also a certified Spin Instructor. She has always loved exercising for the health benefits. However, after being involved in a life threatening accident in 2007 it became more important to educate as many people as she can on the importance of exercise for your health. She was told first hand if it were not for her physical condition she may not have recovered as quickly, if at all. She could not imagine a day without exercise or moving her body and she wants everyone to have that same passion. “When you feel good physically you feel great mentally and it’s 

a different world”. 

Lauren McGinn is a Certified Personal Trainer through Athletic & Fitness Association of America and a certified group fitness instructor through National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association. In addition, she is certified 

as a spin instructor by Mad Dogg. 

Lauren is also CPR and AED certified.

Lauren is passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. She teaches classes ranging from spin to weight and cardio training. 

Her desire and determination in this field motivates members of all ages to 

meet their individual goals.

If you are ready to tone/sculpt and 

improve your cardio vascular needs, then 

join Lauren in one of her classes.

 Sandy Sullivan is AFAA Group Excercise and Personal Training Certified. She has been involved in the world of exercise since 1984 and believes in incorporating humor in her classes while ensuring a challenging 

workout with combinations!

Sandy is the proud mother of two children 

and has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Urban Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and a post graduate Certification in Paralegal Studies from Roger Williams University. She is employeed as a Paralegal and Intake Specialist for a Providence law firm.

 Linda Alves is married, has two grown children and two grandchildren. She was a supervisor at the corporate office of a bank. She started practicing yoga in 2010 which she found relieved the stress of her job. Linda retired in 2013 due to illness. Since her retirement, Linda has obtained her URI Master Gardener qualification, is a two-time past president of the Western Cranston Garden Club and served on the board of the Rhode Island Federation Garden Club. Linda obtained her certification of Hatha; a Vinyasa style yoga from YogaFit in 2017 at the YMCA in Manchester, NH. The essence of YogaFit is breathing, feeling and listening to your body. There is no competition, judgments or competition. Linda often includes her garden understanding and nature to her yoga classes. She believes yoga offers a way to enhance your mind, body and spirit through fitness. All are welcome to join her classes at any age to strengthen your inner core, improve your balance and become healthier, Namaste!  

 Kelli completed her 200-hour Vinyasa Training at Providence Power Yoga in 2021. 

She has also completed Levels 1 & 2 of 

Restorative Yoga Training with 

Morgan Huling at All That Matters.

She started exploring yoga in 2011,  hoping that it would improve her mental health. She started taking both bikram and vinyasa classes, noticing the positive impact that it had on her overall well-being, allowing for mental clarity and peace while struggling with anxiety and depression. Over time, she explored different styles of yoga, falling in love with 

the distinct benefits each style offered. Learning various styles of yoga has 

led to her blending different styles and practices together during class to increase mobility and strength, focusing on 

intentional and purposeful movement.

The practice of yoga has brought a sense of community and intentionality to the forefront of her life, both on the mat and off and that's what she hopes to bring to those around her. 

 Meg began her yoga practice in 2016 as a way to ease her anxiety and find peace in her restless mind. After falling in love with the practice and its positive impacts on her life, she was inspired to pursue her 200 hour training. Meg graduated from Providence Power Yoga's 2021 Teacher Training program, which expanded her knowledge of the practice and philosophy. Through her training she discovered her passion for Yin Yoga, a practice that offered her quiet and stillness within our busy culture.  Within that space she found deeper awareness and presence in her own body, and went on to complete 30 hours of Yin training with Theresa Murphy in 2022.
Meg strives to create a safe and nurturing space for students to get curious about, and connect deeply with themselves and their community. She believes yoga is a personal practice done in community, and offers modifications and variations through class that allow students to explore their agency and make conscious choices that best suit themselves. She is dedicated to building an environment of kindness, compassion and gratitude on the mat, that ripples into the lives of her students and herself off the mat.