Our faculty is composed of experienced, caring massage therapists who
are devoted to sharing their knowledge and skills with students in a holistic
educational setting. They bring a rich diversity of backgrounds to their
classrooms. Lead instructors are Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage
and Bodywork (NCTMB 
) and meet
the educational requirements of the
NJ State Board of Education . Our lead instructors have, on average, five years
teaching experience, and several of them have tenure exceeding 10 years.
Our faculty has been trained in the TIPP™ Learning System. TIPP
analyzes a student's individual learning style and suggests approaches
to enhance their ability to learn. This knowledge also allows instructors
to understand and teach to diverse learning styles.
Brian Smith
Brian Smith has been a massage therapist for 15 years. He has worked with
performance athletes including 10 college and university swim teams, NCAA championships,
Olympic Team trials, and professional athletes of the NY Knicks and NJ
Devils. He has been the staff therapist for the NY Giants and the NJ Repertory Ballet Company . Brian is currently
the staff therapist of the
Rutgers Swimming and Diving Team, and an Instructor at the Cortiva
Institute in Piscataway, NJ.
Portia Resnick
Portia is a 2004 graduate of Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy.
She has a BS in Exercise Science from
Penn State University and an MA in
Counseling in Higher Education from
Montclair State University .
In addition to being a certified Massage Therapist,
she is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and worked with the 1999 NCAA
champion softball team from UCLA and
the 2002 Washington DC Professional
women's volleyball team that attended the Salonpas Cup in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Portia has taught all aspects of massage and is an American Red Cross
CPR/First Aid instructor. In 2007 and 2008 she was the massage therapist
for the Columbia University
Women's Swimming and Diving Team at the Ivy League Tournament.
She co-founded a practice with 4 other partners which
specializes in Sports and Therapeutic Massage.
John Finnegan
BA in Spanish and Linguistics 1995;
Phi Beta Kappa - Rutgers chapter 1995. Valedictorian in both academic
and practical studies, Somerset School of Massage Therapy 1999. Developer
and instructor of Self Massage for Clients, 2001 Somerset School of Massage
Therapy. Co-developer of the volunteer program in hospital-based massage
therapy at St. Peter's
University Medical Center , New Brunswick NJ, 2006. Private practice
since 1999; educator since 2000.
"Although I was originally drawn to massage therapy out of a desire to
find a career that supported a healthier way of life, I soon realized
that I was passionate about teaching and witnessing the process of discovery
that everyone goes through in this type of curriculum. I've found that
the process of education extends into my private practice as clients self-understanding
increases and they become empowered in their own journey of healing."
Kristen Curnan
Kristen graduated academic valedictorian from the Somerset School of Massage
Therapy in June of 1998 and became a member of the faculty immediately
after graduation. She is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and
Certified Neuromuscular Therapist. She teaches Anatomy, Physiology, Massage
Therapy Technique and the Spa Foundations course in the base program as
well as the Neuromuscular Therapy and Stone Massage continuing education
programs at Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy.
Kristen also maintains a private practice dealing mostly with chronic pain complaints.
Adrienne F. Asta, NCTMB
Adrienne F. Asta has been an instructor at Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage
Therapy since March of 2002 and is currently serving as the Director of
Education. She sees about 10-12 clients per week in her private practice
which consists primarily of Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy
and Swedish Massage. Adrienne is Nationally Certified and a professional
member of the AMTA .
She also holds certifications in Neuromuscular Therapy
and Prenatal Massage. She is a graduate of Somerset School of Massage Therapy.
Jon DeGeorge
BA Mercyhurst University ,
Graduate of Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy, Nationally
Certified, Neuromuscular Certified, Professional member of the AMTA .
Denise Lombardi, NCTMB
Prior to graduating from Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage
Therapy, Denise graduated from the
University of Delaware with a degree in Mass Communication. She
worked as a television producer for years until a career change led her
to Massage Therapy. Upon completion of the professional program at Cortiva
Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy, Denise was hired as an
assistant and is now a lead instructor. In addition to her private clients
Denise has worked with a physical therapist and at various onsite events.
Michele Garbowski
Michele has been employed with Somerset School of Massage Therapy since
1993 and has been instrumental in curriculum development and compliance.
She has an AAS in Massage Therapy from
Thomas Edison State College and has been teaching for over 10
years. Michele has a private practice and is currently the Director of
the School.