Meet the team at Brooklyn Strength
Cadence Dubus (she/her) Founder, Owner.
Cadence specializes in folx experiencing a range of physical restrictions especially and including chronic pain.
I come to my teaching from the modern dance, Pilates, Strength, Neuro-repatterning and Yoga worlds. From my work with transmasc clients to my loyal clientele of women in their 70’s and 80’s, I have worked with diverse bodies for over twenty years. As the founder of Brooklyn Strength, I work with clients wherever they are; scar tissue, injury and recovery, the complexities of pregnancy and birth, the circumstances that make up our lives, struggles and celebrations. I help you discover your strength.
View her full bio and experience here
I primarily teach virtually. I have found virtual sessions to be highly effective and have allowed me to reach a wide variety of clientele including older clients who have mobility challenges and those who are less comfortable in a ‘typical’ gym setting. Book an intro pack to get started. We’ll use your first sessions to get to know each other and create a plan based on your needs and goals.
During winter months I offer a once-a-month in-person clinic day in Brooklyn NY. These sessions enable me to use equipment that my clients might not otherwise have access to and observe their movement in a new environment. Join the waitlist for in-person sessions to be notified of the next date.
If you have further questions email us at info@brooklynstrength.com
Manuel Zelaya (he/him)
Manuel Zelaya is a Strength and Conditioning coach, Pilates Instructor and long time collaborator/senior Instructor at Brooklyn Strength Studio. His background includes a variety of combat sports including competitive Muay Thai and wrestling. Manuel is also an accomplished distance runner.
Manuel brings his varied influences into highly effective sessions designed to simultaneously create strength, mobility, power and resilience in all his clients. He has extensive experience working with people of all levels from children to those over 60 years old.
He routinely prepares our celebrity clients for challenging physical performances as well as working with our long standing geriatric clientele. Manuel is a soft spoken, dynamic trainer who will get you where you want to be.
Manuel is available for virtual as well as in-person sessions located at Mark Morris Dance Center or at your central- Brooklyn based.
Robbie Cook (he/him)
Pilates, Strength and Conditioning, Yoga, Meditation
Robbie is one of Cadence’s oldest friends! They met in a professional Ballet class in 2007(!). Through Robbie, Cadence was introduced to the studio where she became certified to teach Pilates. Robbie was the senior teachers who oversaw her training! Much of Robbie’s style will be familiar to the Brooklyn Strength community, including having a class filled with humor and play, as Robbie’s teaching style has been influential throughout Cadence’s career.
Robbie has been teaching Pilates since 1998, yoga since 2010, and is a Brooklyn-based, tenured Dance artist working as an Associate Professor at Hofstra University.
During the summer, Robbie teaches at the American Dance Festival at Duke University. (by the power of virtual class participants will travel with Robbie from Brooklyn to Durham and back again this summer!)
Robbie is curious about movement; his practice began with sports and martial arts, eventually extending to dance, Pilates, yoga and the study of Functional Anatomy as it pertains to human movement potential. He has also travelled extensively as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. This summer he will be visiting West Africa to perform with colleagues as part of a summer Contemporary Dance Festival.
Robbie is excited to join the team at Brooklyn Strength. He will be teaching the summer Restorative Pilates and Anti Anxiety Cardio classes. He will be available for private sessions this fall in both Pilates and Strength Training.
Erin Dudley(she/her)
Yoga, Movement Therapy
Erin Dudley E-RYT, YACEP, MFA
Erin Dudley began studying yoga asana as a way to manage back pain. Her first teacher training was with Ganga White and Tracy Rich of White Lotus. She began teaching yoga asana in 1996 and served as faculty for Stony Brook University’s Center for Dance Movement and Somatic Learning 2009-2012.
Following 20 + years in the NYC dance and yoga community, most frequently as a Senior Teacher at Kula Yoga NYC, Erin relocated with her family to the Catskill Region of NY State. In 2016 she founded The Yoga Space, served as Art Program Director, and then as Executive Director for a not-for-profit Arts Complex in Sullivan County New York.
In response to the growing needs of her family and community, Erin returned to teaching full-time in 2023 and is currently working with individuals, offering workshops, and contributing as a scholar and educator to Yoga teacher trainings while pursuing certifications in yoga therapeutics with a focus on trauma held in the body, reproductive health, and PTSD.
Erin is available for virtual private sessions and small group classes and workshops.
Isabelle McKenzie (she/her)
Tech Manager
Izzie is the whiz behind all our back-end tech. She sets up all the Series and Workshops, from the zooms to the archives, Izzie keeps Brooklyn Strength flowing!
Izzie has always been passionate about art and creative outlets, and got her start working in graphic design and marketing at 14 when she volunteered to help create promotional materials for her family's non-profit.
That quickly grew into several web-design projects, and eventually into professional work with both established and up and coming clients. She believes in strong client communication, and whether projecting a full website build, project map, or simply a cleaner logo, she loves being there to help brands and businesses take it to the next level with practical planning and focused inspiration.
She is currently the head creator at Lemon Lane Creative where she focuses on collaborating mission-centred brands with strong causes, and working on her BA in Theatre Studies and Spanish at the University of Central Florida.
In her spare time, Izzie spends most of her days rock climbing and hiking, and making a positive difference through advocacy in her volunteer work with local and national organizations.
Azul Trejo (she/her)
Graphic Design, Marketing, Customer Care
Azul is behind the design that makes our newsletters and social media pop. She works with Cadence to set the copy that Cadence writes and records. In addition Azul communicates with our clients and connects to our community through our info@brooklynstrength.com virtual desk.
Azul is born and based in Argentina, working free-lance as a designer and social media manager while also studying Digital Design.
In her free time she loves reading, trying new coffee shops and going to her dance classes!
Sophia (she/her)
Admin, Customer Care
Sophia manages our scheduling, packages and calendar. In addition Sophia communicates with our clients and connects to our community through our info@brooklynstrength.com virtual desk.
Currently soaking up the sun in Florida, Sophia is a digital unicorn freelancing in operational management, strategy, and content creation. A people person who loves providing exceptional service, she adheres to the Brown M&Ms Principle and is inspired by the Japanese concept of ikigai.
In her spare time, Sophia focuses on environmental and social justice work, driven by a desire to create a significant impact and find fulfillment through projects that drive positive change. When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll find her at the beach, with her dog Hei Hei enjoying nature, playing volleyball, or making bracelets.