Diane Diefenderfer, founder of Studio du Corps/Pilates Center of Orange County, is a second-generation teacher with over 30 years experience in the Pilates Method.
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She holds the honorable distinction of being awarded a Master Teacher Certification from legendary teacher and mentor, Ron Fletcher.
Diane was a trainee with the Harkness Ballet in New York before beginning her professional career with the Frankfurt Ballet in Germany. Returning to the United States, Diane was a guest artist with the Eglevsky Ballet and the New Jersey Ballet before joining the original Los Angeles Ballet as a soloist. A dance-related injury in 1978 first led Diane to discover the Pilates Method at the Ron Fletcher Studio of Body Contrology in Los Angeles where she spent the next 8 years studying and teaching.
In 1987, Diane opened Studio du Corps, introducing Pilates to Orange County, California and 2 years later, founded the Pilates program for the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Dance Department at the University of California, Irvine. Diane has been on the dance faculty at UCI since 1988 teaching advanced ballet technique where she currently teaches as Associate Professor of Dance. In addition to her extensive work with dancers, Diane's Pilates students have ranged from Olympic athletes to senior citizens looking for a safe and effective workout. In 2002, Diane began the Pilates program for the Human Resources Department for the City of Irvine, continuing to teach weekly classes for employees. She has also taught Mat classes at Irvine Regional Medical Center and for cancer survivors at Hoag Hospital. Diane has been a featured presenter at the Pilates Method Alliance, Body Mind Spirit Conference, and Balanced Body: Pilates on Tour and continues to give workshops and masterclasses nationwide. Her work has been highlighted in the LA Times, OC Register, Sports Illustrated and Pilates Style Magazine to name a few. Diane has conducted the Teacher Training/Certification Program at Studio du Corps since 1995, proudly guiding and certifying the next generation of Pilates teachers.