Maria McKendry ‘96
Maria McKendry, who earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Daemen College, is founder and owner of buffaloBARRE®.
“The education I received and the perseverance required in my studies have carried me throughout my life both professionally and personally,” said McKendry. “At Daemen, there was a sense that we were all in it together, and the friends I made in college I still keep in touch with today.”
A physical therapist for 21 years, McKendry specialized in outpatient orthopedics, home care, and sub-acute rehabilitation. She later studied Barre Fitness, which she started teaching in 2012. She then developed the buffaloBARRE® technique based on her own experiences as a physical therapist, athlete, and knowledge of exercises that are most effective and safe.
In 2013, buffaloBARRE®, Inc., was created and McKendry opened her East Amherst studio exclusively for women. The studio features Barre Fitness, pilates, power yoga, dance cardio, kickboxing, and power core classes. She uses her physical therapy knowledge and experience daily when teaching classes and training others to become instructors through her Buffalo Barre Certification Course.
McKendry has also launched “Buffalo Barre…Anytime, Anywhere,” a subscription online streaming workout video. In addition, she created a fashion, wellness and lifestyle blog, Em & Gracie, named after her daughters. She is married and has three children, Emily, 15, Brendan, 13, and Grace, 10.