Instructors

Nina Cullen Maryanne Christiansen Stephanie Green Danielle Holland
Elizabeth McKinney Brandy Hill Grace Belfiore Jennifer Dickson

Nina Cullen, MA, CCE, CD (DONA) – Seedlings Music, Childbirth Education, Hypnosis for Birth, EFT, Life Coaching, Hypnotherapy

I began this journey as a childbirth educator, doula and parent educator. I conceived the idea of a center for women, and with the enthusiastic support of colleagues and clients, NiNi Bambini was born. At the time I was facilitating a weekly support group for new mothers, aware of the need for a continuing forum for education and community for young families. The mothers in my groups offered feedback and encouragement and gave a resounding "thumbs up" to the idea of NiNi Bambini. They suggested products for our retail store and helped me find some of our best instructors and educators. I are extremely grateful for their assistance and their loyalty.  

I am the mother of three grown children – Sarah, Graham and Taylor. I have a B.S. in early childhood education from Wheelock College and a Master's degree in health arts & sciences from Goddard College. For more than 20 years, as a childbirth educator and doula, I have helped thousands of pregnant women and their partners to have a better birthing experience.  

Maryanne Christiansen, LMT – Infant Massage

A 2001 graduate of New England Academy of Therapeutic Sciences in Dublin NH, Maryanne is a shining star in the massage and bodywork field. With the touch of an angel, never ending strength and good humor, she comfortably adapts the style, pressure and modalities used for each individual client.

Having trained under industry leaders such as Whitney Lowe, Kate Jordan, Jodi Wright and the team at Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, Maryanne is a specialist in the areas of orthopedic/neuromuscular deeper tissue therapies; TMJ rehabilitation; oncology, prenatal/postpartum and infant massage.

Since 2001, Maryanne has been licensed as a massage therapist in the State of New Hampshire, nationally certified through the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and an American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) member in good standing. In addition to pursuing further continuing education courses in medical massage, Maryanne holds BA’s in Political Science and Psychology earned at Richmond, the American International University in London, England and is an active volunteer for the NCBTMB.

Stephanie Green, RN, CCE – Preparing To Birth Class

I have a real passion for teaching and connecting with people, and love teaching classes at NiNi Bambini! Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes scary time in the life of a family, and I love being able to quell some of those fears. My classes are energetic and fun, definitely not your mother’s childbirth class! I have worked as a labor and delivery nurse, a childbirth educator, and an emergency room nurse. I am a certified childbirth educator.

Most recently my work has been as mother to my two children; Myles and Lily.

Danielle Holland, RN, CYT – Itsy Bitsy Yoga

In August of 2009 Danielle Holland had her baby boy Richard, and wanted to learn how to share yoga with him and with other babies.

She became Itsy Bitsy Yoga certified, and learned that not only can she share the gift of yoga with babies, but this type of yoga is great for mother–child bonding and growth and development. Danielle began practicing yoga in 2002, and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). Danielle has been a Registered Nurse for 15 years and is excited to bringing her nurturing profession, education, and experience as a teacher to Nini Bambini.

Elizabeth McKinney, RN BS LCCE C.H. – Preparing To Birth Class - Birth Made Easier With Hypnosis

I am a registered nurse who has a had a diversified career that ranges from Cardiac and Post Anesthesia Care Nursing to being a Clinical Research Nurse at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts. As I entered my most recent profession of motherhood, I decided to pursue another angle of nursing with a focus on Childbirth Education. I am currently a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and Clinical Hypnotherapist. I am very excited to be apart of the NiNi Bambini team, and to have the opportunity to share hypno– birthing with Mom�s and Dads during one of the most exciting times in life!

Brandy Hill, RYT – Prenatal Yoga

Brandy has been a yoga practitioner since 2001. She was immediately drawn to the physical and spiritual peace and balance attained through her practice. Brandy was inspired to begin teaching yoga after the birth of her first child. She received her 200 hour RYT in 2009 from Frog Pond Yoga Centre where she tutored under Shanti Diane Featherstone, studying various forms of yoga from Pre–Natal to Ashtanga. She brings a unique blend of these varying forms into her classes. When not practicing yoga or at her full time job, Brandy spends time with her husband and 2 children.

Grace Belfiore, BA, CYT, RYT

Grace Belfiore received her Yoga Teacher Training and Chakra Certification from FrogPond Yoga Centre in Princeton, Mass., and her Prenatal Yoga Certification from Kripalu. She is a Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher (R.Y.T.), a Reiki Practitioner, and has been studying and practicing meditation and breathing techniques, as well as Yoga, for over a decade.

What makes Grace unique is the variety and level of experience she brings to her classes and private therapy sessions. She entered the fitness field in 1972, where she obtained a background in aerobics, weight–training, stress management, holistic health and nutrition. Her continuing education in the Healing Arts field includes: Thai Shiatsu Body Work; Seven Posture Yoga; Pranayama Yoga; Kundalini, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Svaroopa Yoga; Yoga for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and intensive Yoga Philosophy studies.

There's a strong emphasis on yoga as therapy in all Grace's classes, and the use of props, meditation, breathwork, and a variety of Yoga levels and styles allows her to offer something for everyone. Her small classes give her the opportunity to work closely with each student, and also give each student the support necessary to grow into his or her own personal practice.

Jennifer Dickson, BA – Creative Movement For Little Minds

I have been trained in French & Russian ballet technique since age 5, and was introduced to other dance styles during the following years. In college I fell in love with modern dance, and the versatility of its movements. I have my Dance B.A., with a concentration in Pedagogy (teaching) from Virginia Intermont College. I also studied in West Palm Beach, FL, where I danced with a private dance school and company. A few of the names I have danced under are: Gelsey Kirkland (principal ballerina for the NYCB), Marvin Askew, Eileen Hebron (ABT), Demetrius Klein, Susan Pace–White, Harolyn Gaudette (Berkley), and several other talented and gifted dancers, choreographers, & teachers.

I am delighted to bring creative movement to NiNi Bambini! My goal is to create a safe environment where your child is free to express their natural creativity through movement. I want to help them discover the joy of using their little minds to create something all their own!