Dr. Lynn Keenan

The owner of Renaissance, Lynn is a poster child for mid-life career change. Previously a professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, she was transferred to Port Angeles in 1997 to establish a graduate program in social work for the UW. In 2003, the University took that successful program to the world wide web as an online degree program. While loving the life of the mind, Dr. Keenan, a social worker prior to becoming a social work educator, understood she preferred working face to face with people. She never returned to Seattle. Instead, Lynn ran a small local research company while studying massage and pondered the "next assignment".

That assignment--a merging of careers--turned out to be Renaissance, a place for massage and learning. Dr. Keenan brings a love of science, a respect for the art of massage, and a commitment to service to Renaissance. Expect superior massage, effective classes, and meaningful experiences, but fear not, no homework will be assigned!

Lynn Keenan is a Washington State licensed massage practitioner:
license# MA00021304.

Meggan Uecker

Pursuing a massage therapy career to help others feel good in their bodies, Meggan came to appreciate what a tool massage could be in taking care of oneself. She earned her massage license in Oregon in 2001. Since then she has practiced bodywork in a chiropractic clinic, her private practice, and in massage booths at fairs, festivals and the Eugene Saturday Market. In addition to her massage practice, Meggan has served in leadership roles in the Oregon Massage Therapists Association, political campaigns, and the Port Angeles Youth Soccer Organization. She has also been busy raising two daughters and staging street theater.

Having returned to her home state of Washington in the summer of 2005, she is enjoying Peninsula living where the mountains roll into the sea. Meggan looks forward to conversations and circumstance, pursued along with the lovely view, at Renaissance. From light to deep, chair to table, and head to toe, Meggan is excited at the opportunity to share her massage skills with you.

Meggan Uecker is a Washington State licensed massage practitioner:
license# MA00022160.

Heidi Pedersen

Originally from California, Heidi has had a home base in Port Angeles for the past 15 years. She graduated from the highly-regarded Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle and has been a Licensed Massage Practitioner for twelve years. Her early massage career took her first to Taos, New Mexico where she practiced in both resort spas and medical settings. But the Olympic Peninsula maintained its draw for Heidi.

She returned to the beauty of the Peninsula in the late 90's where she established a practice at the Olympic Center for Massage Therapy. Now after a brief time away establishing a family, Heidi is returning to massage and Renaissance is honored to be her professional home!

When not massaging, Heidi enjoys hiking, biking, gardening and spending time with her family. Nature has also been a very powerful influence in Heidi's life. After earning a degree in Biology from UC Davis, she worked as a researcher in a variety of wilderness settings including Olympic National Park. Many local people know Heidi as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

Heidi first recognized the power of massage with her own healing journey and is honored to share the gift of touch with her clients.

Marline Lesh

Renaissance is honored to host Marline Lesh, licensed massage therapist and master in the use of sound for healing and vitality. In her work here at Renaissance Marline will utilize tuning forks for assessment and treatment. Marline served as Sound Healers of Washington (SHOW) director for six years. She has been nationally active in promoting sound awareness and sound healing through sound circles, workshops, lectures, performances, and celebrations since 1992. She is a Tom Kenyon certified Sound Healer and a certified practitioner and teacher of AcutonicsŪ, a healing technique using specially calibrated tuning forks and the classic Chinese meridian system of the body.

Marline works on an appointment-only basis on Tuesday afternoons. Please call Renaissance anytime to make an appointment with Marline at 360/565-1199.

Laura Hanify

Renaissance is fortunate to welcome Laura Hanify to our staff. Laura is a gifted and experienced massage therapist who comes to us with 15 years of practice. Born and raised right here in Port Angeles, Laura also lived on the nearby Pacific coast where her father served as the Head Ranger in the Hoh Rain Forest. (Local history buffs will recognize her mother, Mary Lou Hanify, who wrote several books and articles about the Hoh and surrounding areas.)

Laura attended Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she learned the art and science of massage from Ben Benjamin, PhD, one of the giants of today's massage profession. For those who are unfamiliar with massage education, learning to practice massage from Ben Benjamin would be something like learning to act from Vanessa Redgrave or hit a baseball from Babe Ruth. And in Laura's case, it shows!

Providing massage since 1993 in both her own private practice and at the Olympic Center for Massage Therapy, Laura has been crafting a therapeutic massage approach characterized by focused deep tissue work. She is particularly proficient in addressing issues of the neck and upper back.

When not practicing massage, Laura enjoys fixing things, making things, and on occasion, practicing ballet and yoga. She is currently enamored with a brand new granddaughter!

Cathy Bangs

Cathy Bangs recently moved to Port Angeles from Oregon where she has practiced massage for the past 10 years. This enthusiastic, engaging practitioner received her massage training at The Oregon School of Massage and went on to study Thai massage from American Thai massage instructor, David Weitzer.

For those new to Thai massage, it is an eastern massage modality similar to yoga - as the massage practitioner moves the client's body through yoga-like stretches and includes gentle muscle compression and rocking. Thai Massage is done with client fully clothed, on a floor mat, without oils or lotions. Cathy is a natural teacher and eagerly discusses any part of the massage or its benefits in the massage session.

A former gymnastics instructor and coach, Cathy also instructs STOTT Pilates at Renaissance. In addition to Thai Massage, Cathy offers classic Swedish and pregnancy massage, as well as Reflexology.

An avid sailor, Cathy and her husband live aboard their sailboat here in the deep, safe harbor of Port Angeles.

Leslie Campbell

Leslie completed her massage training in 2003 at Peninsula College and has gone on to gain additional training in myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, massage for people with cancer, and Reiki--the Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.

With a professional background in occupational therapy (25 years as an occupational therapist!) and extensive continuing education in anatomy, Leslie is an excellent clinical massage therapist. She is a preferred provider for both Uniform Medical Plans and Premera Blue Cross.

In her free time, Leslie enjoys cycling, hiking, gardening, and knitting. Locals will recognize Leslie as a long-time member of Sequim Marimba, the much loved marimba band that warms and enlivens us through the summer sun and winter chill at festivals and concerts around the Peninsula.

Angie Ball

Angie Ball began her work at Renaissance as our very first receptionist and unofficial tea czar. Within months Angie returned to school, right here at the Peninsula College Massage Program, to become a massage therapist. Unable to resist the unrelenting pressure exerted by her colleagues to begin her massage career here at Renaissance she joined our massage staff in September, 2007.

Angie was born and bred in the Pacific Northwest. She is married with three daughters. Angie loves yoga, poetry, hiking, and natural health. Expect a thorough, revitalizing massage from this naturally-gifted massage therapist.

Jonel Lyons

The first person you're likely to meet at Renaissance is Jonel Lyons. Our host and Renaissance marketplace wizard, Jonel brings a renaissance understanding of the power of place to create community and inspire well-being. With a background in human services and retail management--many of you know her from the international interiors store, Pondicherri--Jonel has an eye for design and an understanding of people and the worlds in which we move. Her work is infused with a commitment to create functional and comfortable spaces that reflect and support healthy lifestyles.

Jonel enjoys interior design, gardening, reading, knitting, and qi gong--the ancient Chinese postural movement and breathing practice.

When she's not at Renaissance Jonel and her partner Justin--the creator of our tea bar and building side signs--are refurbishing her family's century-old log home. Upon its completion this Spring Jonel will be the 5th generation to live in the home set on her pioneer family's 60 acre farm.

Maegan Jones

Local candle-maker and former Port Angles Farmer's Market President, Maegan Jones, has been a long-time supporter of healthy living and local business. Always seeking inspiration for her own work, Maegan was first drawn to Renaissance for its beautiful view, organic coffee (and chocolate) and soothing environment. The attraction was entirely mutual and soon Renaissance and Maegan's company, Enlighten Up Handmade Candles were working together to create beautiful, eco-friendly palm wax candles scented with our Scents of Exploration essential oil blends.

The collaboration with candles was, fortunately, just the beginning for us. Once we learned that Maegan had 10 years experience as a barista, we knew we had to get her in here as host and barista, at least during the candle-makers off-season.

When not at Renaissance, or making candles, or selling them at the Farmers' Market and Pacific Northwest festivals, Maegan enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, and cooking with local organic veggies.

Maegan and her husband, Rob, moved to Port Angeles in 1999 from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has put down roots here in Port Angeles and is always seeking ways to be an active member of our community. Anyone who visits Renaissance when Maegan is around will know immediately that we're all lucky she's growing some of her roots right here!

Laura Alisanne

Renaissance happily welcomes Laura Alisanne to our staff as receptionist, and, we hope, much more. A quintessential renaissance woman herself, Laura brings a wealth of experience and gifts, including an impressive professional dossier in the world of art and art education. Most recently she served as the Art Director at our own local YMCA.

Prior to that she worked with familiar arts organizations and events in Seattle.

With a strong portfolio of artistic creations in more "traditional" media, Laura is now working on a degree in multimedia and graphic design at Peninsula College. Go to her web site and be dazzled: www.lauraalisanne.com

Genuinely warm, funny, and engaging, you'll find Laura a tea aficionado. And, if you'd like to practice your language skills, drop in when Laura is working and she will converse with you in French, Italian, German, or Spanish!

Josh Gailey

Josh recently graduated from Port Angeles High School and is working at Renaissance for the summer. Josh is a dedicated musician--a trumpet player and a pianist, he dabbles in both the jazz and classical genres. Watch for opportunities to hear Josh and his musical colleagues play here at Renaissance while we still have him on the Peninsula. In the fall, Josh will head off to the University of Washington, where he plans on majoring in Music Performance with a possible double major in Physics. When not working or playing music Josh enjoys exploring the outdoors, eating fine foods, traveling, and participating in track and field.