Lauren Kawa Funk

she/her/they, founder

Lauren's life blood is music + dance. She conceptualized Pivot during the pandemic when life forced us all to "pivot" in unexpected ways. Lauren and her Woodlawn besties made outdoor family dance parties a regular practice for instant smiles, connection, and stress relief. From there, Pivot was born. 

 

Raised in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles, Lauren was spoonfed MJ, Whitney, Madonna, and Janet as a babe, and came of age when hip hop was exploding. She started performing at eight, and quickly discovered that her petite Japanese stature was no barrier to her shining presence on the stage. She loves all types of dance, but is partial to hip hop and street dance.

 

Lauren believes that everybody is a dancer and all of us need community, so she created Pivot to grow a circle of togetherness (ensō) rooted in dance + music, acceptance + joy. A long-time yogi, Lauren is a RYT-200 certified yoga instructor. 

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ashley sider she/her

Studio director

Ashley is the head of Operations and Events at Pivot. As a tween in the 90s, she grew up wanting to be SJP in Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Her passion for dance started with ballet and grew to include a variety of styles, especially merengue and bachata during her time in the Dominican Republic.

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As the Events Manager for the Portland Rose Festival for nearly a decade, Ashley’s an expert in creating high-energy, memorable experiences for the people of Portland.  

 

Ashley was instantly hooked by Pivot’s killer playlists and club-like vibe. What keeps her coming back is the electric energy and the powerful sense of community that comes from dancing together. She’s thrilled to combine her operational prowess with her passion for uniting people through the pure joy of dance!

Rachel alford she/her

yoga guide

Rachel met Pivot’s founder, Lauren, during yoga teacher training where they bonded over their love for movement. From her very first class at Pivot, Rachel knew she’d found a home - a place where dance, joy and community were at the core.

Rachel’s been dancing since childhood and practicing Yoga for 9 years. In 2023, she became an RYT 200 certified instructor. To Rachel, Yoga is so much more than something that we “do,” it is how we move through the world and how we approach each day and situation. It is breath, it is movement, it is mindset. Ultimately, it is love. Love for self and love for others. She is excited to share this light with everyone in the Pivot community!

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lauren kerr she/her

yoga guide

Lauren has been practicing yoga since college, where she first discovered it as a break from judgment and a way to move with strength and stability. What began as a tool to ease back pain quickly grew into a lifelong practice of curiosity, presence, and joy. Experiencing the benefits of consistency in her own body and mind led her to complete her RYT-200 yoga certification with Lauren Kawa Funk and Rachel Alford.

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Lauren's training deepened her practice beyond the physical postures—into philosophy, breathwork, and the strength of community—which continue to shape how she guides others today. Lauren hopes her classes invite students to play, feel challenged, surprise themselves, and find connection to breath, body, and community.

wendi albro she/her

pilates instructor

Wendi has been helping people move, feel, and live better since 2005. A former competitive gymnast turned Pilates instructor and licensed massage therapist, she blends anatomy-based movement with a compassionate, practical approach to wellness. From chronic pain to performance conditioning, she creates accessible, empowering movement experiences for every body.

 

Wendi is excited to bring her energy and expertise to group classes at Pivot—making movement fun, safe, and rewarding for people of all levels. When she’s not teaching or giving massages, you’ll find her hiking with her dogs, traveling, or curled up with a good book.

 

Wendi's private studio for massage therapy and private/duo reformer sessions (Aim True Pilates)  is just one block from Pivot studio! ​

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Heather Craig she/her

booty luv® founder

Heather is the founder of Booty Luv® Fitness, a high energy, low impact class that is guaranteed to get your heart pumping and booty bumping. 

 

She is an experienced trainer, instructor, retreat leader, and raver with a passion for helping people FEEL GREAT in their bodies and DO BETTER in the world.  

 

When she's not training clients or teaching, you can find her leading Booty Luv® Beach Retreats and filming CyberBooty™ OnDemand videos so people can open their hips and hearts anytime, anywhere!  She's thrilled to join the Pivot Team on Tuesday evenings.  Learn more about Heather at www.bootyluvfitness.com.

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Vivian Bell she/her (left)

Eloise Funk she/her (Right)

street dance instructors

Coach Vivi and Coach Eloise have been bringing the energy, laughter, and creativity to our Youth Drop-In Street Dance class for the past two years. Together, they mix fun games, fresh moves, and the kind of cool dance energy that only kids really know how to bring.

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Vivi is a senior and varsity cheerleader at Central Catholic High School. She’s been dancing and singing with Ms. Funk since she was 9 years old—first as a student, then stepping into coaching at just 12. Mature and professional beyond her years, Vivi now leads all of Pivot’s Performing Arts Summer Camps while continuing to inspire young dancers with her positivity and skills.

Eloise, a seventh grader at Portland Village School, has been dancing with Ms. Funk since she was in her belly. With a playful, creative spirit, she loves helping kids discover their own groove while keeping class fun and full of laughter.

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Together, Vivi and Eloise bring their love of dance & pop music into the studio—empowering kids to dance to the music they love, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun.

rafael newman he/him

breakdance instructor

Rafael (Raf) has been dancing for as long as he can remember, starting with Brazilian dance alongside his mother, as well as capoeira (Brazilian martial art).

 

Raf began breaking in 2006 and continued throughout middle school under the tutelage of Jeromeskee from the world-renowned Seattle breaking group Massive Monkees. Over the years, he has performed professionally, competed in battles, and carried forward the culture and knowledge of breaking by teaching the younger generation.

Raf's high-energy, non-stop class  emphasizes the foundations of breaking—toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves—while providing open space for free-flowing movement. Expect an immersive, dynamic, entertaining, and enriching experience. All levels are welcome and encouraged. 

chris myers he/him

summer camp co-director

Pivot is thrilled to have Chris Myers guiding our outdoor summer camps. A well-known and beloved Soccer Shots coach, Chris is known for his fun and easy way with kids as they engage in sports and play. He has achieved legendary status with the kids for high jumping over a line of children and taking a plate of whip cream to the face when his students achieve their set goals. 

 

"My passion for working with children started from working at the zoo and has since evolved to physical education through coaching children’s soccer! I love to watch kids have fun as they develop as leaders. Let's go summer!"

 

Coach Chris guides our Fun in the Sun afternoon park camp and our new Athletic Fitness and Leadership camp!​

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