Aimee German

Lead Instructor, Founder & Owner

Aimee German has taught Gymnastics and Circus to over 10,000 children for over 20 years.  She performs as a physical comedienne and clown at many NYC venues.  She studied dance and movement at the American Academy of Dance & Stanley Holden's in Los Angeles, then moved to London to complete her graduate degree in classical theatre. 

She performed the award-winning Bouffon version of Tennessee Williams’ "The Glass Menagerie" in the US and internationally.  After co-writing Canarsie Suite, she wrote and created The Keebles with her mother (Brenda, aka Grandma!) and toured the show in  New Orleans, Prague and England!

Ekaterina Sknarina

Lead Instructor, Instructor Trainer, Circus Specialist

Ekaterina Sknarina was born in Pyatigorsk in the Southern Federal District of Russia. She trained as a rhythmic gymnast and became a member of the Russian national team, competing successfully in numerous international championships.

After retiring from competition, she moved to Washington, DC to teach rhythmic gymnastics at the "Rhythmic World" Club. Later she joined the New York-based troupe Anti-Gravity. In addition to her repertoire she has starred in the off Broadway show Maximum Risk, in which the performers sought to break a world record in each performance. Ekaterina's recent projects include obtaining an MA in Art from prestigious Central St. Martins College (London) and appearance in ongoing Matthew Barney's new project 'Guardian of the Veil'.

Nedra Ward

Lead Instructor, Competition Team Leader, Dance Specialist

Nedra Ward is an extraordinary performing artist, visual artist, and teacher. She trained in ballet, jazz, modern, dancehall and hip-hop. Nedra just recently moved back to New York in 2015 and works with Gymstars Brooklyn. 

Nedra studied dance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She has trained and participated in numerous programs, studios, and workshops such as Hyde Park School of Dance, Endure Productions, Gallery 37 Joffrey Ballet, Rush studio of dance, Fiyah Fit and more. Nedra has performed in multiple Chicago NBA Bulls halftime performances,  for the Mayor of Chicago, The Today's Show NBC, New York Fashion Week and many more!

Madeline Small

Lead Instructor, Camp Supervisor, Maya Supervisor, Operations

Originally from Perth in Western Australia, Madeline Small (Miss Maddy) has been coaching gymnastics since the age of 14. Since then, she has gained more than 7 years Gymnastics coaching experience on all apparatuses including Floor, Beam, Vault, Bar, and Rings. She is also an avid performer and has studied acting and performance at The Actor Hub in Perth, Western Australia; The London Actors workshop in London, England; and at the Stella Adler Studio here in New York City. Her performance background is very important to her gymnastics coaching at Gymstars.

MaryEllen Carafice

Lead Instructor, Afterschool Supervisor

Mary Ellen Carafice is a Brooklyn based dance and teaching professional. Hailing from Rochester NY, MaryEllen holds an AS in Social and Behavioral Science & a BA Dance from Hunter College. She has performed works by Ivy Baldwin, Monica Bill Barnes, Yoshiko Chuma, Mariangela Lopez, Kendra Portier, Alwin Nikolais, The No Collective, and Melissa West. In 2012 she earned a 200 hour registered yoga teacher certificate from Good Yoga. 

She is a Gilman Award Recipient (2012) and was a teaching artist for Council on the Arts and Humanities of Staten Island April 2013 programming at The Curiosity Project.  She is also founder and artistic director of Elephant Dance-a collective of dancers created in 2014 working to protect and educate people about our last great land giants through art.

Mary Ellen has brought her love of movement and people to Gymstars since 2014. Her classes are all about fun, movement, creativity and safety! Her extensive knowledge of anatomy ensures that kids are learning proper alignment!  She encourages kids to be the best humans they can be, in Gymstars and in their own lives.

Marvin Drummond

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Specialist, Competition Coach 

Marvin has a great passion for the Performing Arts and Movement. Studying the anatomy, terminology and the theatrics of the kinesthetic arts and dance at the Edna Manley School of Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica.  Marvin has also worked as a choreographer for the Harmony Dance Group. He himself performed in the 2014 World Championship of Performing arts in L.A. winning the grand prize in both Jazz and Contemporary.  Marvin has also attended the Alvin Ally school and its very prestigious dance programs. 

Alexandra Bayeva

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Specialist, Competition Coach 

Alexandra is a highly skilled teacher who helps students achieve their potential. She received a Bachelors degree in Dance Performance, Teaching and Choreography from Belarusian State University as well as an Associates degree as an Organizer of Leisure Activity and Dance Teaching from the Folk Dance Department at Minsk College of Arts.  She is well versed in Developmental Gymnastics and Rhythmic Gymnastics.  She has worked for Gymstars, Midwood Martial Arts Gymnastics Program, Nova Gymnastics and as a teaching artist for various schools through out NYC.  Other interests include Contact (Dance) Improv, Acro-Yoga, Puppeteering, Clowning and being Adventurous!  

Ngozi Cox

Lead Instructor, Advanced Gymnastics, Competition Coach 

Ngozi competed competitive gymnastics for 14 years, winning 4 regionals and competing at nationals for region 6. Soon after, she began coaching gymnastics at Chelsea piers, with the addition of trampoline and rock climbing. She is a experienced instructor and coach, having worked with children in a variety of settings ranging from after school programs to competitive gymnastics teams.

Gina Mayers

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics/Dance Specialist

Gina Mayers started her early training in Ballet and Jazz at The Dance Place Barbados under the tutelage of Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey and Mrs. Adonia Evelyn. She completed her BFA in Dance and Film with Honors at The University of the West Indies Barbados, where she studied Caribbean Contemporary, Dunham, Modern and Ballet and performed with The EBCCI Dance Ensemble. In 2011, she attended The Official School of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Gina is also an accomplished teacher in dance, having tutored Modern Dance at The University of the West Indies Barbados. She was a Teaching Assistant at The Ailey School in New York and a Dance Specialist with South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) program. Gina is the recipient of the US Embassy’s Cultural Visitor Exchange program and has won many awards including The Royal Academy of Dance advanced graded examinations in Ballet  with Distinctions. Gina teaches Ballet, Hip-Hop and Gymnastics at Gymstars!

Elizabeth Wellman

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics and Movement Specialist

Elizabeth Wellman is a dancer, choreographer and dance educator with a B.F.A. in Musical Theater from Wright State University. She has 6 years experience in dance education in New York, specializing in early childhood. Beyond learning skills her teaching focus is in artistic and emotional expression through movement. She is thrilled to be part of the Gymstars team!

Arden Harris

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Coach, Hip Hop Specialist 

Recently relocated to New York City, Arden Harris is from Chicago, IL.  She acquired a BA in Contemporary, pop, and Urban music from Columbia College Chicago. She is proficient in many dance styles including hip-hop, contemporary, modern, jazz, and African. As a professional dancer, Arden has worked with a variety of artists such as Chance the Rapper, Wyclef Jean, and Saba. 

Jessica Silva

Lead Instructor, Dance and Ballroom Specialist

JESSICA JANETTE SILVA began ballet and tap training at age 3, at the Brooklyn Dance Center in NY. By age 6, she had years of experience performing on stage. As one of David A. Body Junior High School’s first Dance Magnet students, under the direction of Ms. Jan Ford, she was introduced to African and modern dance, along with being taught exclusively by the New York City Ballet as part of the Magnet’s “Ballet Bridges” program. Her passion for dance continued to grow as she gained the skills and techniques essential for refinement in dance and movement throughout the years. In late March of 2016, Jessica joined Balmir’s dance team under the instruction of Anya Katsevman. In 2017, she competed in a Pro-Am Bachata Heats division, with Theo Pippins, at the World Salsa Summit, assisting him win 1st place. Currently, Jessica is a USA Gymnastics Member & Instructor, teaches dance, and continues to train, choreograph, and perform for events nationally and internationally.

Kyle Jack

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Specialist, Cheerleading Specialist

Kyle is not only an expert teacher who has taught with us for over 5 years but also a neuro-scientist, college cheerleader and touring actor! He also teaches singing and musical theatre!   More info coming soon!

Ella Wasserman

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Specialist

Ella Wasserman-Smith is a dancer, choreographer, arts administrator, and instructor based in Brooklyn. She graduated from the New School, Eugene Lang College with a major in Dance and a minor in Philosophy. Her life long love of movement was sparked by her early experience with competitive gymnastics. She competed through Level 5 at Classic City Gymnastics Academy in Athens, Georgia (Go Gymdogs!). She has taught at Little Gym of Brooklyn Heights and Chelsea Piers Field House. She is excited to be on the GymStars team!

Danyel Gordon

Lead Instructor, Zumba Specialist

Danyel is a wonderful dancer, personal trainer and Gymstars Coach!  She is the most requested warm up teacher with her lively mix of Zumba, Hip HOp and Tumbling movements.  She is a Pick Up specialist and takes the utmost care for our youngest Gymstars!

Rachel Clark

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Specialist

Rachel Clark comes to Gymstars with a wide range of skills from competitive cheerleading and gymnastics to being a multi-media artist. “My art practice as well as my work ethic started when I began doing gymnastics at age four. I learned what it meant to motivate myself and strive to be the best I could be. Being a part of a team forever impacted my life.” She brings what she has learned through her 15 years of competitive cheerleading and gymnastics to each one of her classes. 

Alex Zolnerowich

Lead Instructor, Circus Specialist

Alex is one part of the circus duo 'Duo Brutale.' They have been resident performers at Michelle L’Amour presents Unbridled at Untitled nightclub and Aloft’s Sanctuary in Chicago. Alex has performed across the country and internationally, with Zoppé Circus, the Vampire Circus as well as a solo aerialist in Illumination Sensation at the State Fair of Texas.  He took up the role of Puck in Project in Motion’s aerial adaptation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. He has also performed as a soloist, duo, and ensemble member at numerous venues in Chicago and NYC.  When he's not performing, he has always loved teaching kids of all ages his passions of circus, theatre, and gymnastics in a wide variety of settings.

Martuni Nazaryan

Lead Instructor, Advanced Gymnastics

Born in Yerevan, Armenia, and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Coach Martuni is a passionate instructor with 3 years of gymnastics instructional experience and more than a year of children’s instruction. He has history as a NYC PSAL gymnastics competitor and individual finalist in the floor, vault, and high-bar events. He was the captain of the Stuyvesant boy’s gymnastics team, where he helped develop the skills of his peers and a sense of camaraderie through coaching. He immensely enjoys instructing for Gymstars and continues to pursue self-improvement through noble movement arts such as gymnastics and kick-boxing.

Tillie Doyle

Assistant Instructor, Gymnastics and Tumble Tots

Tillie hails from Sea Cliff, Long Island before moving to the city for her first year of college at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising.  She took Gymnastics as a teenager and ran track!  She is designing fashions and a wonderful addition to our team!

Mariam Fahmy

Assistant Instructor, Gymnastics and Tumble Tots

​Mariam is a pre-med college student. She grew up going to gymnastics classes. She always felt as though time stopped when she did gymnastics. She loves to work with kids and wants to continue working with them for as long as she can. Although being in college is stressful for her, she continues coming to work at Gymstars with a smile on her face. She says, “I forget all my stressors when I come here. It’s amazing how much joy a person can get when their student does a forward roll by themself for the very first time. No matter how stressed I get, these kids never fail to put a smile on my face without even trying.”

Martha Bernal

Lead Instructor, Advanced Gymnastics

More Info Coming Soon

Audrey Cardwell

Lead Instructor Gymnastics

More Info Coming Soon

Drew Billingsley

Lead Instructor, Pick Up Person

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Yaeslin Meran

Lead Instructor Gymnastics and Tumble Tots

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Wray White

Lead Instructor 

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