Renaissance: Massage. Fitness. The good life in Port Angeles

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

Here from the days during which Renaissance was moving from vision to reality, Meggan Uecker has been serving clients since we opened our doors, assuring that they come back over and over again. This earnest, gifted practitioner pursued a career in massage therapy to help others feel good in their bodies, and to show people the power of massage in the care of oneself. Hundreds of returning clients show that she's right on target.

Meggan earned in massage license in Oregon in 2001 and has practiced at Renaissance since 2006. She has gone on to study Thai massage and Myofascial Release techniques, incorporating these approaches into her effective bodywork.

In addition to her massage practice, Meggan enjoys time with her family and "walks the talk" of her love of community by serving in leadership roles with the Olympic Gleaners, Jefferson School PTO, and the Port Angeles Youth Soccer Club. Local kids, parents, and teachers will recognize Meggan as the mom who introduced the school system to the wonder of worms and their role in sustainability.

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

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.

Amanda Hoge

Amanda Hoge received her massage training at The College of Massage Therapy at Bingham Memorial Hospital in 2008. She is trained in classic Swedish massage methods and deep tissue/clinical massage. Hoge moved to Port Angeles from Sitka, Alaska where she practiced spa-related massage at Baronof Lodge, on Warm Springs Bay.

A strong, warm practitioner with a confident approach to massage, Amanda has expertise in hot stone massage. When combined with her remarkable Swedish massage skills, the stones from the mighty Columbia River provide a deeply relaxing and therapeutic hydrotherapy treatment.

In addition to massage, Amanda loves the Pacific Northwest wilderness and enjoys hiking, fly fishing, and kayaking. A horticulturalist before becoming a massage therapist, Amanda enjoys all things botanical!

Amanda is also our Cafe' Manager, making sure we are well stocked with fresh food from local farm, bakery, and apiary. Bringing considerable service experience with her from Alaska, Amanda is keeping our eye on the prize of well-pleased customers.

Jonel Lyons

Jonel Lyons is our (Smooth) Operations Manager. There are many systems that keep a small, multi-endeavored place like Renaissance going smoothly and Jonel takes the lead in developing and fine-tuning them. 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, 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. Put more simply, Jonel makes us look good.

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 husband Justin Pollack--the creator of our tea bar and building side signs--are refurbishing her family's century-old log home. Jonel is the 5th generation to live in the home set on her pioneer family's 60 acre Finn Hall Farm.

Chelsey McHone

Port Angeles native and recent Washington State University graduate, Chelsey McHone joins our reception staff, bringing with her great experience and knowledge in the hospitality field. With a degree in Hospitality Management from WSU and a broad range of experience in food service and hotel management, Chelsey is helping Renaissance expand our small cafe'. When she isn't here, Chelsey is pouring delicious wines at local favorites Wine on the Waterfront and Harbinger Winery.

Maureen Hagaman

Maureen Hagaman joins our reception staff as she enters the Massage Therapy training program at Peninsula College. While here she'll be learning the business side of massage, serving the guests of Renaissance, and in reality, sharing with all of us her impressive knowledge about food service and her natural aptitude in customer service. Many will recognize the warm, friendly Maureen from her work at Joy's Wine Bistro. (Sorry Joy...) When not working or studying for her new massage career Maureen enjoys spending time with her husband and their bountiful, extended families in the area.

Jesse Nutter

Jesse Nutter is our intrepid web designer and has been with us since before the doors opened here at Renaissance. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Jesse has called Victoria, British Columbia his home since the early '90s. With an eclectic background ranging from graphic design, communications studies, and creative writing to information systems, data architecture, and web programming, Jesse fills the role of general internet-jack-of-all-trades here at Renaissance. Jesse has been working with the internet since the early days of Mosaic and rumor has it that some tiny fragments of his code are still kicking around in current versions of the Firefox browser.

Having recently received his undergraduate degree in Intellectual History, Jesse is currently pursuing a new career in the liberal arts. He has several top-secret writing projects underway and is known to be a passionate political news junkie and avid globe-trotter. While currently semi-retired from the web design business, Jesse can still be convinced to build the odd website for people and causes he truly believes in, such as Renaissance!