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!

Ngozi Cox

Lead Instructor, Advanced Gymnastics, and 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.

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.

Ryoko Seta

Dance specialist, contortionist and Music specialist 

Ryoko is a native of Yokohama, Japan. She spent her childhood in Braunschweig, Germany. Ryoko received a scholarship award from the London Royal Ballet School when she was 13 years old,  and has since mastered many forms of dance. She also has a master liscence of Japanese Traditional Dance.  Ryoko is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business and Management. She's extremely excited to get to know you, share her knowledge of movement and techniques! 

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!

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, and 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 and 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!

Yaqarah Huggins

Lead Instructor, Advanced Gymnastics

Yaqarah Huggins is a professional dancer currently located in NYC. She recently graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2019. Yaqarah has been dancing since she was in the first grade and has trained in modern, hip-hop, dancehall, street Jazz and African dance. She has performed on numerous stages including Hot 97’s 2021 Reggae Tip Concert. Yaqarah enjoys educating children, being a team player and helping to make sure that everything runs smoothly within Gym Stars. 

Sophia Estes

Lead Instructor Gymnastics and Dance Specialist

Sophia Estes is currently studying for a BFA in Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College and has been trained since she was young in gymnastics, ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and tap. Sophia has performed in many regional and educational productions, and began her teaching career as a Dance Captain, leading safety checks before rehearsals and shows and prioritizing long-term technique. She is so excited to be a part of the Gymstars team and to help inspire young students to find and follow their passions!

Akua R. Kenny

Instructor Dance, Choreographer, Competition Coach, and Cheerleader Specialist

Akua was always involved in performing/creative arts. She wishes to spread her knowledge and training amongst the youth. Her journey began with praise dancing at the late great Grammy winning Timothy Wright’s Grace Tabernacle Church at the age of 8. She attended April’s Dance N’ Feet shortly after and studied tap, ballet, hip hop and contemporary until the age of 14. Following Aprils school, she attended Gramercy Performing Arts HS and advanced her dance career and studied various forms of techniques, which included Horton, Alvin Ailey and Graham. While attending Gramercy she took an intensive at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance over the winter of 2013. In the year 2015 she worked for the after school program called Urban Arts as a cheerleading coach/captain where she gained her cheer and fitness training experience. From 2015 til now, she’s continuing her dance career perfecting her craft by training at various studios, performing for various artists and entertainment companies  such as HOT97, Teemanay and Amber Lee.

Augustine Alexander

Instructor Hip Hop, Gymnastics, and Cheerleading

Augustine grew up taking beginner ballet and jazz classes which were what originally sparked her love for dance. Eventually she branched out a little more by getting into contemporary and hiphop which is what she ended up sticking with for the next eight years. During that eight years Augustine also found a love for cheer and in high school she started cheerleading competitively. After high school she went on to get her degree with a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and now she's coaching with Gymstars!

Sophia Ioannou

Gymnastics Specialist 

Sophia started recreational gymnastics at age 8, then went on to compete at age 9. She rapidly progressed and was competing USAG Excel Platinum. At age 13, she started coaching at the gym she trained at. Since then, she has coached at one other gym along with Gymstars and has absolutely loved working with kids of all ages and levels. Sophia stopped competing in gymnastics when the pandemic first hit in 2020. However, she still enjoys recreational gymnastics!

Zlata Grek

Instructor Gymnastics and Fitness Instructor

Zlata Grek has been doing gymnastics for 10 years and owns the title of Master of sports of Ukraine in rhythmic gymnastics.

Her past 10 years of experience as a gymnastics coach and fitness instructor in Ukraine, Poland, Spain, France and USA, helped her develop her interpersonal skills in very multicultural environments, with students of all ages and backgrounds!

Ava Escobado

Instructor Gymnastics 

Ava Escobado was a competitive gymnast for 6 years and has danced for most of her life. She taught hip-hop and contemporary for 5 years, and choreographed adult and children’s musicals in Colorado. She moved to Brooklyn where she now attends Pace University for Acting.

Carla La Porta

Circus Specialist 

Carla La Porta was born and raised in South America, Brazil. She started out doing gymnastics and had her professional theatrical debut at the age of 7. Then she went off to take lots of dancing classes, and acting classes, and got a full scholarship to a prestigious Circus School back in Brazil all while working as a professional actress. In 2000 she took the leap of faith and moved to NYC to pursue her performing dreams, soon after she was accepted into the work/study program at Steps on Broadway where she studied all types of dance ( mostly American styles: Musical Theater, tap, jazz, and ballet). She performed all over NYC as a Samba Dancer, Freestyle, and Costume character entertaining children’s birthday parties. She became one of the first Female Toy Soldiers at 𝑭𝑨𝑶 Schwarz and was featured on The Today Show and Good Morning America. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA ( screen actors guild- American federation of tv and radio artists) Also had the honor to become an American Citizen. She performs every weekend with a Dance troop called Wild Hoops at a popular venue in Manhattan. she is getting ready to return as a Toy Soldier at 𝑭𝑨𝑶 Schwarz this Holiday Season at Rockefeller Center. She is beyond happy to be part of Gymstars and share her passion for performing arts to talented gifted children.