PhD, CSCS, NCPT
Pilates Teacher/Studio Owner
Wes Waggener has been teaching, coaching, and training people of all ages since 1997. He has earned degrees in physical education and a masters of science in biomechanics from Ball State University (Muncie, IN). Wes also earned a PhD in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Wes has taught in higher education since 1997, serving on faculty at both alma maters in addition to Lansing Community College, Eastern Michigan University, and The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. While completing his PhD, Wes moved to Chicago to write his dissertation. In the process, he started personal training. Upon completion of his degree, he moved to Ann Arbor and began working in medical fitness as a fitness specialist and personal trainer. In that time, he was able to expand his clientele to include creating and running a physician referred exercise program.
Not only did this lead to a position as Director of Fitness and Medical Integration of a wellness management company, but it led him back to Chicago to begin a comprehensive program of study in Pilates. Wes completed his Fletcher Pilates comprehensive program in 2011 and the Fletcher Pilates Advanced Intensive (Tucson, Arizona) in 2017. Wes is also a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) through the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP), the only NCCA accredited Pilates Certification. He has taught studio Pilates in a commercial gym and at a Chicago neighborhood studio before opening Bird Dog Pilates & Fitness with Suzi Butcher in 2016. Wes became a Program Mentor for Fletcher Pilates in 2022. Individuals that wish to pursue Pilates Teacher as a profession can enroll with Fletcher Pilates in the Comprehensive Program of Study for a hybrid program of online education and in-person learning at Bird Dog Pilates & Fitness. As a former gymnast, Wes coached for 4 seasons as an assistant coach to the Ball State University women’s team and also coached youth gymnasts, volleyball players, and tennis players. In his spare time, Wes enjoys playing tennis, hiking, working out and spending time with friends.
Pilates Teacher
Emma is a Pilates teacher at Bird Dog Pilates & Fitness. A Half Moon Bay, California native, Emma grew up with a natural attraction to sports and played competitive basketball through her whole childhood and even into college. She fell victim to what most athletes do when playing at a high level – injuries. She felt that the rehabilitation for her injuries was just putting a band-aid on it and not dealing with the problem at its core. When Emma was introduced to Pilates, she learned that in order to have a well-functioning, fit body, it was important to start with a good foundation. The great feeling and instant feedback her body gave her when leaving the studio made the decision easy to pursue becoming a teacher.
Pilates Teacher
Andrea Vasquez is an Arizona native, working in health care since 2004. Decades of assessing injury and mobility loss started an interest in methods to promote wellness in her community. Pilates seemed like a natural and holistic means to fulfill this interest.
Andrea is continuing her passion for Pilates by immediately enrolling in the Fletcher Professional Program, after completing the Fletcher Foundational Program, in 2024. Andrea completed the Fletcher Pilates Professional Program in February 2025.
In her spare time, Andrea can be found hiking the local mountain ranges with her bird dog, Romy or volunteering at The Phoenix Art Museum as a Docent.
