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!

Keila Halili

Lead Instructor, Afterschool Supervisor

Keila is a Professional Dancer currently based in NYC. As an Orange County native, Keila is an alumna of the Commercial Dance Department of the Orange County High School of the Arts as well as Chapman University, where she earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree with Cum Laude Latin Honors in Educational Studies and Dance. During her time in Southern California, she has performed for Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure, and Disney Cruise Line. Her passion for performing inspired a cross-country move to the city in January 2018 and since then, Keila has had the opportunity to become a member of the Actors' Equity Association and perform in the Broadway National Tour of Miss Saigon. She has been teaching dance and movement for 12 years and her experience with children shows in her energetic teaching style. Keila truly loves working with kids and is delighted to be a part of the Gymstars family. 

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!

Molly Mullen

Lead Instructor, Dance Specialist, Team Leader, Yoga Instructor

Molly Mullen has trained in ballet, contemporary and modern since she was three years old, performing until she was 18 in Minnesota. Molly danced at The Alvin Ailey School, performing for the student showcase in the spring. Molly is currently pursuing a BFA in Psychology at Marymount Manhattan. She has experience assistant teaching at Ravenswood Preschool in Chicago and coaching at The Little Gym. Molly was Dance Director for Deerkill Daycamp in NYC,  and coached at Gymtime.

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.

Amelia Meyer

Instructor Gymnastics, Soccer, and Basketball

Amelia grew up in Colorado where she learned to ski at a young age and spent most of her time exploring the outdoors. She trained at a national level with USA Hockey and played for a number of teams in the greater Boston area including Phillips Academy Andover Girls Varsity, Assabet Valley Girls AAA, and the Boston Pride AAA. She also won back to back District Championships as a starting member of her Junior High Varsity Basketball team. Amelia has competed in baseball, soccer, rowing, cycling, field hockey, lacrosse, cross country, and track and field. She is a recent honors graduate of Phillips Academy Andover with a full Phelps Scholarship and a recognition by the Andover Theatre Department. 

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!

Reyhan Yurtseven

Dance Instructor

Turkish born and raised in Germany, Reyhan moved to NYC in 2018 and studied dance in the Certificate Program at Peridance.

She is familiar with all kind of dance styles, specializing in hip hop, house, dancehall, high heels and jazz funk but foundations in ballet, contemporary, theater dance, tap and salsa. Reyhan also competed for 4 years with a club team in Germany. She has danced in numerous music videos with international artists, for NYFW, and will be joining a world tour.

Zhane Powell

Instructor, Gymnastics, and Cheerleading

Zhane Powell has been involved with gymnastics since she was six years old and was competing
competitively since age 10. She also competed as a cheerleader for four years. She has graduated from
BOCES in Early Childhood Education. She has also done internships with different preschool and
elementary schools.