Cynthia Lochard
Romana Pilates – Level I, Grand Master Teacher Trainer & Principal Instructor
Born in New York City, Cynthia Lochard began learning The Pilates Method as a young dancer in 1976. Later she received a contract to dance with the New York City Ballet and worked for some of the world’s greatest choreographers, such as George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. During this time she continued to practice Pilates with Romana Kryzanowska, at the Joseph Pilates studio in New York City.
In 1987, Cynthia moved to Sydney during which time she continued to practice Pilates with Alan Menenzies while maintaining her dancers body. From 1990 to 1992 Cynthia went back to dancing professionally, joining The Sydney Dance Company and later, Bangarra Dance Theatre. It was during her time with The Sydney Dance Company that Cynthia met Megan Williams, and rallied to support the idea of beginning a Pilates studio at the SDC premises on the Wharf at Walsh Bay. This later heralded the start of the APMA for Megan Williams.
In 1994 Cynthia returned to New York City to study as a Pilates instructor under her teacher and mentor, Romana Kryzanowska – one of the last remaining disciples and protégés of Joseph H. Pilates. Cynthia returned to Sydney later that year as a certified instructor and opened her studio “The Pilates Method”. Soon after she developed a Training Centre in affiliation with The New York Pilates Studio, together with Sean Gallagher, Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Mejia Santo.
Cynthia brought the first Authentic Teacher-Training program to Sydney in 1998. During this time she continued to travel back to NYC to participate in further developing of what is now known as Romana’s Pilates Teacher Training Program, more commonly referred to as the “Classical “ training. In 2009 Romana appointed Cynthia as one of only three Grand Master Teacher Trainers worldwide.
Cynthia has trained most of the true classical Pilates instructors operating throughout Australia, Asia, New Zealand and Russia. Because of her love, passion and commitment to the Pilates Method and Romana, Cynthia continues to work hard in maintaining the program at her studio; Cynthia Lochard’s Pilates Method Studio. She also continues to travel the world, sharing her vast wealth of knowledge and experience to studios, conducting Seminars, Workshops, assessing students and presenting Continuing Professional Education courses.