Meet the Collective
Kent Island’s first barre studio. Now offering Pilates, Yoga, and personal training.
Core Collective began as Barrevolution Kent Island in 2017. Created by Lara Custer and Laura Feller, the studio changed hands in 2018 and was run by Elizabeth Maniago for the next three years. In 2021, Elizabeth expanded the studio to include Pilates and personal training. In conjunction with the physical expansion, Elizabeth updated the name and brand to reflect the added offerings and to showcase the studio’s core values of community, inclusivity, and respect. Core Collective represents those ideals and provides a welcoming place for our neighbors on the Eastern Shore to come together and work out without competition or judgment.
With a newly renovated, immaculate space and caring, experienced instructors, we ensure that all clients—whether it’s their first or their 500th class—get the workout they need. We can’t wait to get to know you and help you achieve your personal goals!
Come check out our beautiful space in person, or take a virtual tour by viewing the slideshow. We can’t wait to meet you!
Elizabeth Maniago, Studio Owner
Barre, Pilates, Personal Training
After recovering from spinal surgery, Elizabeth was eager to find a form of exercise that would strengthen her core, help her regain flexibility, and provide a low-impact but challenging full-body workout. She found all of this in barre and Pilates. Elizabeth dove in head-first, got certified as a barre instructor, and in 2018 took ownership of Barrevolution, a boutique barre studio in Chester, MD. Now as the leader of Core Collective, she continues to share the joy of movement with the Eastern Shore community.
Elizabeth is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and comprehensively trained Power Pilates instructor. A member of the Barre Fitness Alliance, she is a certified Barre Intensity Advanced Instructor and holds additional certifications from Barre Above and the International Ballet Barre Fitness Association (IBBFA). Elizabeth graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in English Literature, and still loves curling up with a good book when she’s not at the studio. She currently lives in Grasonville with her husband, two children, bunny, and two golden retrievers.
Contact Elizabeth
Tina Reid
Barre
Tina took her first barre class in her home state of California in 2017 and never looked back. As someone who has struggled with knee issues for most of her life, she was thrilled to find a low impact routine that continues to challenge her at every class. "Being able to move my body every day without causing pain but still feeling and seeing improvements is incredible!" After relocating to Kent Island in the summer of 2022, she immediately found her new home at Core Collective and trained to become an instructor. She looks forward to creating challenging, accessible — but most importantly fun — classes for all of her new friends.
When she isn't at the studio you can find her snowboarding (weather permitting) or riding her bike on the Kent Island Trail. She also loves to curl up with her two black cats and a good book.
Rachel Garrett
Barre
Rachel took her first barre class in 2018 and was immediately hooked! The musically-driven and low-impact classes create a workout that’s fun and challenges people even after taking hundreds of classes. After becoming an instructor and taking over 250 classes herself, Rachel now looks forward to sharing her love of barre with others. “My favorite part of barre is the unique way that your own body weight is used, so people of any age, size, and ability level can participate. Although the movements are small and isometric, the impact is huge.” She strives to create classes that empower individuals and bring excitement to move their bodies in a fun and challenging way.
When she’s outside of the studio, Rachel loves to garden and take advantage of the local waterways on her kayak. An avid knitter, she also teaches piano and bakes.
Lauren Buffington
Barre, Yoga
Lauren has a true passion for health and fitness. She is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor and received her 200-hour yoga certification in 2022. In addition to Barre Strength, Lauren also teaches yoga. She is an avid runner, participating in many local 5K, 10K, and half marathon races. After having ACL surgery in 2021 she was looking for a low-impact workout that was challenging and made you work up a good sweat. In that process, she found Barre at Core Collective and never looked back! The fun music and way it targets so many different muscle groups was exactly what she needed. The classes were invigorating, kept her moving, and helped her recovery process even more through the strength and flexibility the Barre classes provided.
Lauren loves to spend time with her family, be outdoors, go to the beach, cook and entertain friends and family. Lauren's kids play a lot of sports so usually you will find her on a field or court most days of the week and weekends cheering them on! Lauren lives on Kent Island with her husband, 2 kids and Golden Retriever. When not teaching in the studios, she also works from home as a Proposal Manager for a technology company.
Heidi Shiley
Barre
Heidi discovered Barre in 2017 when she was pregnant with her youngest. In 2019, Heidi took a Barre class at Core Collective and right away she noticed the community of strong women that gave her the feeling of empowerment after every class. She’s been at the Barre ever since!
Barre incorporates all the movements that Heidi loves: strength, flexibility, balance, and THE SHAKE (if you know, you know!). After sweating through more than 500 Barre classes at Core Collective and becoming an instructor, Heidi is ready to share her love of Barre with others.
Heidi is a mom to four beautiful children and a wife to one lucky guy. When she is not in the studio, Heidi can be found on the sidelines cheering on her children, running, boating, cleaning, reading, and having fun with family and friends.
Rachel Taylor
Yoga
I’m Rachel, a yogi and body movement enthusiast. I studied Kinesiology at The University of Maryland, College Park. Growing up I rode horses and played lacrosse. My love for yoga started at a young age. As a kid, I loved how yoga helped prepare me mentally and physically for my sports competitions.
When I’m not teaching yoga, I am playing outside with my son, coaching soccer, or helping out with Little League. I love all sports, swimming, canoeing, and going to the beach. See you on the mat!
Erica Fox
Mat Pilates
Erica spent 15 years of her childhood in dance classes. This passion continued into adulthood, where she also developed a love of Pilates. Erica immediately saw how Pilates complemented and strengthened her dance technique. It also helped with her back pain by keeping her body in alignment. Erica became more focused on Pilates in 2019 when she began training on the apparatus. Since then, she has added the reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda chair to her practice. She was recently certified as a Pilates mat instructor by Power Pilates and is eager to bring her unique style to the studio.
Erica grew up in Bucks County, PA. She graduated from Clarion University with a teaching degree in secondary mathematics. Erica and her husband moved to Kent Island in 2007, and they have never looked back. These days, she is busy taking care of her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat. She enjoys boating and listening to all sorts of music.