Instructors

Nina Cullen Bethany Layne Erin Hubbard Heather Merrill
Maryanne Christiansen Stephanie Green Elizabeth Kester

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 teaching at The Mom's Place at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. I was also working as a 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.  

Bethany Layne, PhD – KinderMusik Educator

I am thrilled to be offering Kindermusik classes at NiNi Bambini! Teaching these developmentally based music classes to infants, toddlers and preschoolers along with their loving caregivers, has been my privilege and joy during my two years as a licensed Kindermusik educator. Through my unique perspective as a pediatric Physical Therapist and vocalist, I have witnessed, first hand, how music can enhance all areas of child development - fostering motor skills, language skills, social skills, emotional skills and cognitive skills. My doctoral thesis was on movement & music in young children, which is how I discovered that the Kindermusik philosophy of facilitating child development through research-based curriculums, mirrored my own. I delight, not only in sharing the joy and benefits of music with children of all abilities in the community, but also in raising a Kindermusik child of my own!  

Erin Hubbard – Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga

Erin Hubbard graduated with a degree in biology from Lawrence University.  She is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher and has completed apprenticeships in both pre and post natal Yoga.  Erin has taught Yoga classes at the Academy of Health and Martial Arts in Amherst. Havingdelivered both of her daughters free of medication, and managing the stresses of being a Mom, Erin is a firm believer in the benefits of yoga particularly for Moms and Moms-to-Be. Erin and her husband enjoy singing and dancing with their 3 year old daughter, and going for walks with their 7 month old in a baby backpack.

Heather Merrill, Fitness Instructor

Heather Merrill is a certified group fitness instructor and owner of Stroller Strides. Heather began taking Stroller Stride classes when her first born was 6 weeks old and fell in love with the program. She is CPR certified and trained in the areas of prenatal and postnatal fitness. Stroller Strides has numerous pregnant women in the program, including Heather, and exercises are modified accordingly. Heather also works with numerous moms clubs and organizations throughout NH in speaking with them on the benefits of health and nutrition for not only moms but for the kids. Stroller Stride classes offer a stroller workout that combine power walking and intervals of body toning using the stroller, the environment and exercise tubing. It’s a great way to get in shape, meet other new moms and have fun with your baby.

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.

Elizabeth Kester, RN, CLC, CD – Lactation Support, Breastfeeding Class

Elizabeth brings a unique background to NiNi Bambini. She is an R.N. working as a labor and delivery nurse, and she is a certified birth doula. Elizabeth is also a Certified Lactation Counselor, who uses experience and compassion, and her love of teaching to help women have a successful breastfeeding experience.

Elizabeth is most proud of her greatest accomplishments – her children Ellen and Jack.