Meet the Serenity Spa Team
Abby Skidmore
Director, Serenity Spa,
Certified Massage Therapist
Yoga Instructor
Marconics Certified Recalibration Practitioner
Apprentice Addiction Professional
A Bennington, Vermont native, Abby received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2011, where she also studied Business and Spanish.
After taking some time to travel, Abby came home to start massage school at the Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center in Rutland, Vermont in 2012. There she was attuned to Reiki and her whole world opened up. She became a Certified Massage Therapist by the end of 2014. She completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Heart of the Village Yoga in Manchester, Vermont and was certified to teach in 2017. Abby went on to study Shamanism in Pownal, Vermont and in an apprenticeship at The Roost.
Abby has worked in early education as a pre-k teacher, as a behavior technician with children on the Autism spectrum, and a foster parent through Vermont DCF. She has worked as a home health aid for the elderly, and provides respite care for people with special needs and trauma. Abby has completed extensive coursework in the field of Recovery and completed her Apprentice Addiction Professional credential in 2026. Working at a local treatment center for over a year as Client Support Specialist and Aftercare Coordinator, Abby was motivated to make holistic health more accessible for those affected by Substance Use Disorder, through the spa. Abby uses this experience and knowledge to create a safe, comfortable space for her clients. She may be called a “healer” but believes she simply helps open the window of opportunity for her clients to do their own personal healing.
In early 2019, Abby became a Reiki Master Teacher, and completed extensive coursework in Florida in 2020, in preparation for launching her own massage therapy certification course: Serenity Spa Massage School. Abby continues to offer massage, body wraps, energy work, and massage training at Serenity Spa's two locations as well as teaching and hosting other healing arts providers and teachers.
Since November 2021, Abby started training with a new energy modality called Marconics. She is excited to offer this ascension energy for those feeling called.
Abby is focusing on her passion for supporting people in recovery with ongoing education and service in the community, while continuing to ensure highest quality massage and spa services at Serenity Spa with her team.
Joyce Kegeles
Movement Re-education
Based on the teachings of Dr. Feldenkrais
In 1991 Joyce graduated a four-year NJ/NY Feldenkrais training, a method of movement re-education and brain plasticity. She then devotedly attended eight further years of training in MA. Through her teaching, she inspired many students to attend the Boston area trainings to become practitioners. Along with her practice, she also hosted/produced a cable TV program, "Your Body Works," offering weekly Feldenkrais classes for the public.
Joyce was led to movement re-education as a natural extension of her lifelong dance background. She taught modern dance and performed with an improvisational dance theater company, and maintains an abiding passion for African dance, music and culture, inspired by African dance courses while a college dance major. She lived in Senegal through a Worcester Art Museum grant to study traditional West African dance.
In her personal life, Joyce was blessed to adventure into partnership with Tony Bird, the extraordinary white African singer-songwriter whose stance against apartheid brought him to artistic exile in NYC.
Her older years since his passing have honed a heightened sense of empathy and immediacy to her life and work. Joyce is especially impressed by Abby's positivity and inspiration, and is excited to join with her lively group of practitioners.
Anthony Sheppard
Licensed Massage Therapist
People describe me as kind, caring, and a calming presence.
I love to create! Music, crochet, leatherworking, woodworking (in the future), and whatever form of creating I learn about next.
I aim to create a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and trusting.
I've worked as a gardener, landscaper, dishwasher, organic farm fieldworker, substitute paraeducator, paraeducator, Behavioral Interventionist, and now, a L.M.T.
Join our community and Embrace it!
Katya
Licensed Massage Therapist
Energy speaks. I listen.
Guided by intuition and grounded in presence, I bring confidence, warmth, and focused care to every session. With over 750 hours of professional training, I specialize in relaxation and rejuvenating massage rooted in Swedish techniques, while continuing to expand my skills across additional modalities. My goal is to create a calm, restorative space where the body, mind, and soul can unwind, reset, and heal naturally.
Cody
Licensed Massage Therapist
Hi, my name's Cody. I recently became a certified massage therapist in June 2026 after completing a 500 hour program through South West Technical School in Bennington Vermont. I first came to experience massage back in 2023 while working a factory position in Queensbury NY for back and shoulder pain I was experiencing and saw the difference it made for me. Now I'm ready to give everything and more that I've learned to clients who want to stress less, have less pain and a better quality of life. I grew up in a dairy farming family in Granville NY so I've been working from 4 years old but now ready to start my career. Some hobbies I enjoy in my spare time are spending time with my soon to be wife, going on little adventures together, listening to music, reading/writing poetry and exercising when I can.
Dawn Hancy
Reiki Master, Teacher/Coach
Aidan Keeva
I love introducing people to the surprizing simplicity and gentle power of Reiki, and especially coaching Reiki practitioners to discover and develop their most successful and satisfying Reiki path and practice.
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
My work is firmly rooted in the classical tradition of Chinese medicine. As a licensed Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine (DACM), I work with many tools to support healing: I practice acupuncture, prescribe herbal formulas, provide cupping, gua sha, tui na, moxibustion, and various other therapies when appropriate.
Amanda Pagano
Licensed Esthetician
After a rewarding 30-year career in education, I recently followed my passion for skincare and wellness by becoming a licensed esthetician. Beginning this second career is both exciting and deeply meaningful to me, and I am eager to bring my professionalism, compassion, and dedication to client care into the beauty and wellness industry. My background has taught me how to listen carefully, stay organized, and provide personalized support to help others feel confident and cared for. I am passionate about helping clients feel beautiful, relaxed, and confident.
As someone entering the industry with life experience, maturity, and a strong work ethic, I am committed to providing exceptional service. I’m excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Abby and the rest of the Serenity Spa team!
Massage Students
Serenity Spa & Massage School's Therapists
Apprenticeship massages now available!
Student Massage Therapist
Kat (24) is on the path of being professionally trained and educated in the practice of massage in order to satisfy a lifelong interest in massage. She is very passionate in learning about the various connections between the physiological and the psychological, and is keen on implementing knowledge towards the processes of healing, growth, improvement, and change.
Katie
Apprentice Massage Therapist
Kat (24) is on the path of being professionally trained and educated in the practice of massage in order to satisfy a lifelong interest in massage. She is very passionate in learning about the various connections between the physiological and the psychological, and is keen on implementing knowledge towards the processes of healing, growth, improvement, and change.