Who is
Barre Nation?
Barre Nation is Summerville’s boutique barre studio providing elite instruction in traditional ballet barre classes. In every class you attend you will be challenged but not overwhelmed and leave encouraged with a sense of satisfaction. Barre Nation provides a healthy, safe environment for all fitness levels to work out and is truly “come as you are”. With a mission to not only “feel good” but also to “do good”, you will notice something special about the culture at Barre Nation. From the open, airy, welcoming atmosphere to the retail carried everything has a purpose. The studio is bright and beautiful with over 80 feet of barre space for everyone to have enough space to feel comfortable. The retail products go back to benefit the community or the world. From shirts locally made by men coming out of prison to jewelry made by women in recovery living in Summerville, when you workout at Barre Nation, you know you are making a difference, not only to your body but also to the nation. Whether giving back in the form of making strong bodies and empowered people or giving back by giving of their profits back to the nation, Barre Nation is a business on a mission. Join us as we make an impact!
Meet Our Team
Nicole Pridgen
Owner/Instructor Nicole is the heart and soul for making Barre Nation more than just physical fitness. With 15+ years of experience in the wellness industry, she successfully opened and operated a barre studio in Charleston, SC in 2012. In 2021 she began a new chapter, opening an impact barre studio built around giving back to the nations, hence its name, Barre Nation. Her passion for people flows from all that she does and Barre Nation is no exception. Nicole uses her influence to build others up, challenge them to reach for more, and to extend grace to themselves along the way.
When she’s not at the barre, you can find her chasing her four children, eating chips and salsa, playing at the beach, or reading a book.
Sophia Smith
Sophia has a deep love of all things dance that began in her childhood. From ballet to line dancing she has pursued dance professionally for 7 years. After moving to Charleston she started taking barre to fulfill her love of dance while getting a great workout. When approached with the idea of teaching it was a no brainer. Sophia teaches with a strong traditional ballet barre base that brings the beauty of dance to each workout.
When not at the barre you can find her hanging out with her family, line dancing on the back porch, listening to country music, or out on the lake.
Tamara Butler
Tamara (rhymes with camera) is a part-time daydreamer and full-time learner who enjoys books, beats and barre. After completing her first half-marathon, she turned to barre for a new challenge. 6 years later, she still finds joy in turning up the music and embracing the shake and burn that barre brings. Tamara believes wellness is a collective and holistic practice—we workout together to strengthen our minds, bodies and each other. This, plus her growing interest in learning new ways to move her body, might explain why she occasionally participates in group workouts: Lyra classes, outdoor kickboxing, aerial yoga, and more.
Outside of the studio and her career, Tamara can be found lounging on her couch, hanging out with friends and family or listening to a good podcast while making something artsy or repotting houseplants.
Ashley Butler
Ashley is a South Carolina native and College of Charleston graduate. She studied education and dance and has been teaching dance classes to students in North and South Carolina for more than 20 years. Ashley is a certified group fitness instructor who loves barre because of its many similarities to ballet conditioning. The beautiful long lines and shaking muscles are her favorite parts of class! She is wife to Bowe and mom to Reece, Paxton and Whit.
When Ashley is not at the barre you can find her headed to baseball practice or preschool pickup and usually swerving through traffic as she attempts to choreograph a dance while driving!
Lexi Rider
Born and raised in Maryland, Lexi has always enjoyed playing sports and exercising. She started going to barre classes during COVID and has never looked back! Suffering from asthma, she found that barre was sustainable and incredibly fun! On a whim, she and her husband decided to move to South Carolina for a new job opportunity and better weather. Lexi found Barre Nation early on during the move and had a feeling it would be a good fit—and it was! She became a certified group fitness instructor in addition to her barre training and is excited to challenge and encourage others to reach their fitness goals.
When not at the barre or working as an engineer, she enjoys spending time with friends, being outside, dancing in the kitchen, making charcuterie boards, and trying new things!
Annabel Lettelleir
Annabel moved to South Carolina from Washington State in 2021 with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a cat. A Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritional Therapist since 2015, she has experience across various parts of the fitness industry, including competing in bodybuilding shows and training physique athletes. Now, her focus is on promoting inclusivity in fitness and fostering community through movement.
Outside the studio, Annabel enjoys hiking with her family, exploring coffee shops, traveling, and advocating for the neurodiverse community. She’s excited to bring her passion for movement, music, and community to Barre Nation classes.
Whitney Glover
Whitney was born and raised in New York. She started taking ballet at the age of four and continued with pointe, jazz and tap until she graduated from high school. She always had a bit of a “gym phobia” and struggled to find a place where she felt comfortable working out for years. She moved to Charleston nine years ago and when she bought her house in Summerville, she found Barre Nation. She felt welcomed from the very second she entered the studio! Even better, the workout incorporated a lot of ballet moves she was already comfortable with!!
When she’s not at the studio, you can find her floating in her pool or at the beach with a good book. Or spending time with her four fur pups at home!
Shelby Clark
My health journey started when I was searching for workout classes that made me feel strong and amazing without overworking my body – that’s when I found Barre Nation. I fell in love with how the classes always challenged me in the best way! I have a degree in HR Management from PSU, a certification in Holistic Health, and I recently moved to South Carolina with my other half for a new adventure. When I’m not teaching or learning about wellness, you’ll usually find me cooking up something new, checking out local coffee shops or relaxing at the beach.
Sarajane Johnson
Sarajane was born and raised in the Lowcountry but has carved her own space in the Summerville area. She couldn’t be more excited about stepping into the role of instructor at Barre Nation. When she’s not at the barre, she’s working as a high school English teacher. With the benefit of summers off, she enjoys traveling, which has allowed her to meet so many interesting people and see so many cool places. She is looking forward to contributing to the great community that Barre Nation fosters and to step into the roll of instructor.
Luzina Hines
Luzina started her group fitness journey in 2014 through Dance Fitness, where she quickly fell in love with the freedom of movement, music, and community. Looking to balance her dance-focused classes, she later discovered Barre—and fell in love all over again. After moving to Summerville three years ago, she found Barre Nation. The welcoming instructors, class variety, and strong sense of community made it feel like home.
When she’s not at the studio, she is baking, listening to music, dancing, biking, hiking, swimming, playing pickleball or tennis. She is excited to bring her passion for movement, music, and connection to every class—and maybe a little singing, too!
