Instructor Biographies

Catherine Deeken
Zumba Fitness Instructor

Catherine was introduced to Zumba when she and her family relocated to Park City from Los Angeles in the summer of 2010. After dancing and shaking off the baby weight with Natalie Montoya, Catherine decided to become certified as a Zumba Instructor in the spring of 2011. Her lifelong dance training has made Zumba the perfect outlet for Catherine giving her the chance to share her love of dance with others while assisting them on the road to being in great health both mentally and physically. Having tried a variety of different workout crazes over the years, Zumba is the first thing that Catherine has found so much joy in and such great results from. You do not have to be a dancer or even consider yourself coordinated in order to enjoy Zumba, you just need to come ready to cut loose and have a great time!

Nicole Delnort
Step/Muscle-up/Senior Fitness Instructor

Nicole has been teaching fitness classes for 28 years and has been a personal trainer for 8. She enjoys helping others reach their fitness goals and creating a fun and exciting class experience, "exercising should never be boring". Nicole spent her high school years in California where she met and married her "high school sweetheart". They have been married for 24 years and have three children. She and her husband moved to Park City 14 years ago. They enjoy the four seasons and all of the wonderful outside activities that Park City has to offer. She hopes to continue inspiring others to stay active and have fun with their workouts as long as she physically can.

Tina Dempsey
Circuit Class/ Group Cycle Instructor

Tina joined Basin Recreation in September 2009 as a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer.  She attended the National Personal Training Institute in Santa Monica for her certification in 2008.  Besides her NPTI certification, Tina holds certifications in Pilates, TRX, Silversneakers, and Spinning.  She is always looking for new and innovative ways to challenge her clients and help them attain a balanced lifestyle of health and fitness.  If you are interested in improving your health and fitness, Tina is available for private and semi-private training.

Katie Eldridge
Yoga Instructor

Katie Eldridge teaches a Vinyasa-flow style class, weaving in new music, challenging postures and encouragement to her students. After practicing yoga for more than 15 years, Katie's intention is to challenge her students without sacrificing the integrity of their practice. Her classes have a comfortable pace, allowing students to reach the full expression and proper alignment of each pose. Katie encourages her students to practice with kindness and curiosity. She has lived in Park City for the past 13 years, where she runs a successful public relations and video production firm, Panic Button Media. Live music, globe-trotting and new experiences of all kinds top her "favorite" list.

 

Sue Fendler
Yoga Instructor

Susan's yoga studies began 10 years ago while taking an intense stress reduction workshop based on the studies of Jon Zabat-Zinn. Here she learned meditation, body scans, and simple yoga. Following this she expanded to classes in Hatha yoga, Tibetan Heart yoga and Anusara yoga. The main emphasis in her classes is on proper alignment and working all the areas of the body so that both internal physical and mental healing can take place. Susan believes in finding students individual gifts and talents and helps each student in a joyful way to reach their full potential.
 

 

A.M.P. Class/ Group Cycle Instructor

Karla Gravitt earned her masters degree with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill. She is certified as a Personal Trainer with ACE (American Council on Exercise), a certified cycle instructor, and a TRX suspension trainer certified instructor. Besides her career in fitness, Karla is the mom to triplets. They keep her busy, active and on her toes, just how she likes life to be! "I've always been passionate about living an active lifestyle and teaching other how little changes can make a difference in their health. No matter what your age or skill level, everyone can benefit both psychologically and physically by working up to his/her potential. Seeing people accomplish something they thought impossible is extremely fulfilling.  I love my job and that passion shows through my work with my clients. I believe the evolving role of fitness professionals is working with clients to make small changes towards healthier living; changes that are convenient, attainable and lasting".

Helen Golden
Spin Instructor

Helen Golden has a strong fitness background of 25 years with experience in fitness training of all levels, as well as in sports marketing, editorial and events. She has various certifications in Personal training, Pilates, Spinning, Yoga, TRX, group exercise, coaching, etc. Helen has had the pleasure of training/coaching all types of people, of all backgrounds, including children from 2 years to 80 years of age, from clients with Parkinson's disease to Olympic athletes. She is also proficient in PNF stretching, which will improve your flexibility especially if you're challenged in this area. She will help you lead a higher quality of life. 

 

Gara Wright Halicky
Zumba Class

Gara has been teaching fitness since 1982 and discovered her love of Zumba this past year.  She is licensed in Zumba Fitness 1 & 2. She grew up in Kansas City and is currently a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines. She worked at MCA Records Nashville for 10 years and was a personal trainer for country music stars Lee Ann Womack and JoDee Messina, as well as other music business VP's.  She married her husband who is a captain for Southwest Airlines 2 years ago.  She has a 4 year old grandchild, Noah, who is the light of her life and lives in Nashville.  Her motto is as long as you leave a workout smiling she is happy. Zumba is her passion. Let's DANCE!

Whitney White Kozlowski
Power Hour/H.I.T. with Whit/Group Cycle

Whitney loves Park City, all things outdoors, is an avid triathlete and mom to two young kids. She has run two marathons, competed in numerous triathlons including 3 half-ironman triathlons in UT and AZ, multiple century road rides and she recently rode her bike from San Francisco to San Diego to help raise $1Million for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). In 2010 after her second baby, Whitney created Mom's Power Hour - a 60 minute mix of cardio, drills, strength training and core work for moms with their little ones in tow. In addition to Power Hour, Whitney teaches group cycle classes in the winter and this summer helped Basin launch the HIT with WHIT program which incorporates 5 weeks of early morning high intensity training sessions. She is also a local ambassador for lululemon athletica which enables her to encourage and support the Park City community through creative, healthy and active events.  Whit is a big believer in others and the power of motivation; she keeps a fun and enthusiastic attitude while challenging her classes each hour.

Megan Olsen
Chisel & Muscle Up Class

Megan Olsen was inspired by exercise and all the benefits that come with it at a young age. She received her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Utah and has engulfed herself in fitness ever since. Megan is a big believer in balance and finding that balance with exercise and nutrition. "Exercise should be a stress-reliever, not an added stress in your life." Growing up in the Park City area, Megan has learned to utilize the mountains as a great way to get her workout. You might see her training clients in the parks, running a trail, or going on a bike ride with her daughter. As an ambassador for LuluLemon, she loves sharing her energy and passion for fitness with the community. Her job is so rewarding because it allows her to affect people positively every single day - to help people overcome not only fitness, but mental obstacles that come with achieving their best potential. You can find her teaching various classes throughout the community, but her expertise is in her boot camp style class!

 

Lisa Phinney
Zumba Class

Lisa Phinney has been teaching Zumba Fitness for two years and became hooked after attending a class lead by Basin Recreation's own Natalie Montoya.  Zumba Fitness has changed her life both physically and emotionally.  She credits finding a workout that is extremely fun for her 50lb weight loss.  Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired Dance Fitness class that Lisa likes to call "exercise in disguise."  She is in licensed Zumbatomic and Sentao.