Meet Your Teacher
Leigh Borge
Hello! My name is Leigh, your yoga hype gal :)
Alongside exists because of two passions: yoga and service.
Through yoga, I discovered a passion for movement; a movement that is non-static, ever changing, and never "arrives". I love teaching- the energy and excitement of a community in sync- and witnessing a creative idea from my brain be brought to life as living, breathing, moving art. Through the practice of yoga, my hope is that we learn to breathe (to create space, to invite in, to soften and to pause long enough to decide what we need and how to move); to build (strength and awareness of the physical, energetic, emotional, intuition and deepen connection to ourselves, others and Spirit); and to belong (to one another, to our communities, and to the world).
The practice of yoga helps us build the muscles of compassion, empathy and understanding. And while these practices are for you, they are to be shared and moved beyond the mat. Through the alongside movement, my hope is that we breathe together, to build stronger communities, and find belonging with a like-minded tribe.
Along with being an E-RYT 500 + Yoga Therapy Level 1 Certified yoga instructor, I am wife to Mike- we will celebrate 20 years married in 2026. My highest honor is getting to be Mom to three kind, funny, spirited and beautiful girls (16, 14 and 8). I love to read, decorate, be in the sunshine, and believe pizza is the world's most perfect food.
Founder + Owner of Alongside Studios
Meet Your Teacher
Michael Everson
I grew up in the Fox Valley area and after graduating from high school I attended
Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. I studied graphic design at
Ringling and received a certificate in Graphic Design, but while doing so I became
interested in photography and did oil painting in the evenings.
After graduating from Ringling in 1985 I worked as commercial photographer in
Sarasota for 15 years. I enjoyed my experiences as a photographer, but my true
love was painting. I exhibited my paintings in Sarasota galleries and in surrounding
areas, and eventually spread out to other parts of Florida and other states.
In 1999 I moved to Chicago and continued doing commercial photography, and I
started making connections in the fine art scene. Three years later I moved to
Oswego with my family and began teaching art classes at a junior high school and
further developed my artistic interests. I branched out to start carving blocks and
making prints in 2012.
I moved to St. Charles in 2024 and retired from teaching last year in 2025, and I
am now focusing on my art-making and getting involved in the Fox Valley area in
the artistic community as well as linking up with the Chicago art world.
Rosalie White’s journey with art began in childhood, fueled by a curiosity to create with found objects and
materials from around the house. This passion deepened during her studies at Columbia College Chicago, where unconventional perspectives helped shape her artistic vision.
After pursuing a parallel career in education as teacher and school administration, Rosalie retired in 2021,fully embracing her identity as an artist.
Now, as a resident artist and Director of the School of Art at Water Street Studios in Batavia, Rosalie dedicates herself to both creating and teaching. She takes immense joy in sharing the transformative magic of art with students of all ages, fostering a space where creativity flourishes without limits.
Her work is known for its vibrant use of color and textural depth, often exploring themes of memory, nature, and human connection.
Her work has been featured in regional publications, solo and group exhibitions throughout Chicagoland and received the 2024 West Chicago Art Banner Exhibit People’s Choice Award
And awarded Best Emerging Artist for her work in the 2925 St. Charles Plein Air Event.
Meet Your Teacher
What to Expect from your Workshop or ClassIntentional Structure
Collaborative Energy
Expert Facilitation
A Supportive Space
Follow- Up Encouraged