Our Instructors

Ellie Gardill

Owner & Instructor

Ellie is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, with a passion for helping others lead healthier and more active lifestyles. She holds an undergraduate degree in Health Fitness Specialist and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health, also from ECU. Ellie is certified in numerous group fitness formats and is excited to share her passion for fitness with you!!

- ACE Group Fitness Instructor
- ACE Personal Trainer
- YogaFit Level 1
- BXR by the MVMNT
- Human Reformer Pilates
- PumpedUp Strength

Bella Braun

Instructor

Bella moved to The Outer Banks in May of 2023 after graduating with her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She competed at the Division 1 level while at Boulder on the track and field team. Through athletics, Bella found a love for strength training and lifting! She want to help you not only improve your strength and form, but also develop the love for lifting that she has experienced over the years. Bella is a PumpedUp Strength certified, join her for strength classes!!

- PumpedUp Strength

Brandy Stewart

Instructor

Brandy graduated from Liberty University in 2020 with a degree in Studio Art and a teaching license. She moved to the Outer Banks in 2023 and is now a local elementary school art teacher. Brandy has always loved creative movement and recently became certified to teach Human Reformer Pilates. She can’t wait to bring that same creativity and passion to the studio! In Brandy’s classes, you’ll find mindful movement, core strength, and a focus on balance. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to deepen your practice, her goal is to help you feel strong, centered, and inspired.

- Human Reformer Pilates

Lydia Surprenant

Instructor

Lydia was born and raised on the Outer Banks. She is a local middle school teacher and a former college runner. Lydia first found Pilates as a form of physical therapy after an athletic injury. It helped her rebuild strength, restore mobility, and reconnect with her body in a safe, empowering way - and she has been hooked ever since. In Lydia’s class, you’ll find intentional movement, core-focused strength, and feel-good flow. Whether you’re recovering, just starting out, or looking to challenge yourself in a new way, you’ll leave feeling strong, aligned, and refreshed.

- Human Reformer Pilates

Mya Lawrence

Intern & Instructor in Training

Mya is a senior at First Flight High School and is excited to be interning with Sound Side Studio this year. She is currently studying to take the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification and looks forward to teaching Spin in the future! Outside of fitness, Mya is passionate about music and works as a private violin instructor. She is also an active member of her school community as a National Honor Society student and president of the Book Club. When Mya is not studying or teaching, you can usually find her reading or spending time at the beach. She plans to continue her education in college next year and can’t wait to see where both academics and fitness take her!